Want to move closer to pro but no money

[facemaker01]

I have a Canon Digital system. I purchased the Digital Rebel (300d here in Australia)well over 3 years ago and have built up my system slowly. These are going quite cheaply now. Make sure it is brand new! It is a basic DSLR, but with good lenses, it can produce wonderful images. Look at the Sigma zoom lens (24-70mm)which has a constant 2.8f. This is quite good for the money. Remember you are moving up. Be realistic about what you can afford at the moment. Photographers buy and sell equipment all the time as they move forward. A tripod, a flash unit and memory cards are probably the next things to get. (I use several smaller sized cards-that way if something happens, you won't lose all your images). I use a Velbon Sherpa tripod. It was quite cheap on ebay and it services me well as I am not shooting all day everyday. If/when I am shooting professionally, then I will get some more robust. The photographer I work with has been surprised at how long it has lasted.
I also own a Bronica SQ-6x6 system that I have also built up slowly. By checking out forums and other sites that discuss the things I like to photograph, I have worked out what equipment I need and how I can maximise their effectiveness in other photographic genres. EG. I purchased Canon lenses that can be used on both digital and film cameras.( Some lenses can only be used on digital cameras)..I am studying for a Visual Arts Degree and we use film exclusively. So having built up my kit has helped me immensely. My camera used has been for weddings and other paid professional shoots. I am now looking at a Canon 5D, but I will still keep my Canon 300d as a back-up. I love it. This applies to an equivalent Nikon system as well. Look at magazines such as Digital Photo Pro and other magazines where product evaluations give you more information. Hope this information helps and good luck!

 

[ANDS!]

Ditto on the D50. Get it on the cheap, 18-55 (depending on where you're sitting) should be fine, and just crank up the ISO if youre not able to stop action (really though its a wedding). If you wan't just grab a cheap prime lens too - that old workhorse the 50MM f/1.8. That'll last you a LONG time.

 

[crownlaurel]

Thanks for all the advice. I didn't expect to be able to get a camera for quite some time, but as you can read in my "Impulsive?" thread, I found a D40 for $447.81 at Sam's. My three year old is still up and here's what he thinks of me playing with my new toy