Which camera and what lenses?

lauraxlovegood · Apr 23, 2012

I'll admit, I'm new to photography, kinda. Not entirely new as to having no clue about anything. I've taken some classes and take pictures of everything in my sight every chance I get, but I haven't really learned anything about actual cameras. I've decided to take my love for photographing the world and the people on this planet to college and hopefully a career in my near future. However, I don't have the camera for it. I borrowed a small fujifilm camera, but it's older and doesn't have the ability to change lenses (which I am really interested in doing, so a DSLR with the ability to buy and change lenses will be great). Now I'm looking into getting a great starter DSLR, one that can help me learn through experience and can get me into other cameras that take experienced photographers. This is what I'm mostly interested in photographing:

*Seniors
*Children
*Dance teams
*Weddings
*Families

Obviously, two of those require a camera/lenses that can photograph movement, lots of movement.
Two more definitely can be posed (although natural should be easy too)
Then weddings, I want to be able to catch all the tiny details, from the ring, to the food and champagne, to that first kiss.

I don't really like the fujifilm brand. Nor do I think Samsung should be making cameras (my little point and shoot). I've been told that Nikon and Cannon are the best professional photographer brands, however, those recommendations never came with an explanation.

So any and ALL help is appreciated <3

Overread · Apr 23, 2012

Canon 5D (second hand)
Canon 24-70mm f2.8
Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS L (second hand)

If you've more budget then the last lens should be teh new MII and you can change the 5D to the MII or newest MIII.
If you've less budget Sigma make good options for both 24-70mm and 70-200mm. There are also Canon brand f4 versions of that lens, but its not as suitable for several of the themes you want to work with.

In general that would be my intended starting point for the kind of photography you want to do. It provides you with professional grade equipment (even if some of it is a few years older its still more than capable). The rest of the equation will be yourself and your own skills which will take a while to develop. Consider looking at internships/apprenticing under an established working photographer (at a later stage once you've got over the basics and want to consider going professional).

Nikon also has very valid options, lens wise pretty much the same suggestions as I've listed above, just in Nikon brand and with VR instead of IS (similar tech different names). However I don't think Nikon has a fullframe (35mm) digital camera in the same price point as a second hand 5D. Though if you've a higher budget you can easily consider Nikons fullframe cameras (I can't name them, I've no idea about the Nikon names for their brand).

Nikon and Canon are the market leaders because they produce professional grade equipment and also have a very large pool of lenses on offer for all market sectors (beginner to pro) as well as a large range of 3rd party options as well. Many other brands can make equipment just as good, but often lack the diversity of equipment range (and price range) on offer.

Derrel · Apr 23, 2012

Nikon D700, brand new at $2199. Kills my old 5D in terms of autofocusing reliably and under challenging conditions where the 5D stumbles badly.

Nikon 24-70 f/2.8

Nikon 70-200 VR-II

Nikon SB-900 or 910 speedlight flash

Four Flashpoint 320M monolights, four 9-foot light stands, three Photoflex reflecting umbrellas, a set of honeycomb grids, two sets of Cybersynch flash triggers.

Many sleepless nights of reading and studying. Countless weekends spent busting your butt to get the details right. Days and days spent learning software tricks and workflow routines.

Overread · Apr 23, 2012

True, but then it is 4 times the price (at least in todays market).

That said I think the D700 also beats the 5DMII for canon as well in the AF department (far as I recall the 5DMII used mostly the same AF as the 5D). The 5DMIII is using a top rate AF system - however its price is also very high (and supplies are a bit weak at the moment due to high demand and an early caught manufacture error).

Lighting equipment is also something I totally forgot to mention - Canon side a 580EXII plus the 3rd party options Derrel suggests would work very well.

lauraxlovegood · Apr 23, 2012

I do have to watch how much I spend since I'm not a professional, earning money with this. I'm only a hostess and I don't get a million dollars from there very often ha ha. I suppose I should have mentioned that as well...

Overread · Apr 23, 2012

True not everyone can spend all the money - ergo why I suggested the second hand 5D (they are not sold new anymore) which would be teh cheapest (that I'm aware of) good quality fullframe camera; which is basically the tool you want for the majority of the photos that you want to take.

This does somewhat lock you into Canon and out of Nikon - however unless you can put a rough value to how much you have we can't give much more specific advise.

The 5D plus Sigma glass would be the cheapest high-end results option you could go for. (excluding film which would have a lower startup cost but would incur higher running costs)

bhop · Apr 23, 2012

lauraxlovegood · Apr 23, 2012

I do plan on putting away money every pay check that I get, but until then, I do want to start with the cheapest, best quality camera I can get. So I'll take your advice and start with the secondhand Canon. For a first time Nikon, what would you suggest? I would like to eventually try out both brands to get a feel for which I prefer. I don't see saving money up as a problem since I don't have to pay for two years of college and very little for bills... As of now, this is my idea of my career since I love it so much, and I already plan on trying to job shadow some local photographers as well as applying for internships. So all the information I can get it perfect

Much appreciated by the way