Camera for Wedding/portrait and little travelling?

Daymouse

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Ok so heres my story, I did a degree in photography but have never used it so been stuck in IT for the last 6 years. I was made redundant and got a decent payout and so want to use some of the money too start up as a wedding photographer and need some help with what equipment to start out with?

Canon wise what camera/s would you recommend to start out with?

Any advice would be great :)

Also got a thread open about what camera ;)

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=352645
 
Well if your going to use your redundancy pay then you might aswell get yourself fully sorted straight away.

2 x 5dmkII's (ideally 1dsmkIII's or 1dmkIV's)
24-70
70-200 2.8 mkII
35L
50L
85L
135L

Lots of spare batteries, memory cards. Insure yourself to the eyeballs and then be patient as it takes time to get bookings.

Good luck
 
I'd do it a bit differently personally, I'd get an X100 for general shots out and about, as lugging around a DSLR all the time isnt that much fun. Then pick up...

5DII / 7D
24L
85L
135L

From here you've got a decent variety of focal lengths that can be customised by the sensor size for each situation. Then I'd pick up 2/3 decent flashes 580EXII and a pair of 430EXII's? Some softboxes/lightstands and remote triggers and you should be set imo. That should be a decent setup for doing group portraits, primes for the reception, decent enough length to work in a church (7D/135L) and wide enough for pictures of bride/groom getting ready in the morning.

Thats how I'd do it anyway. Maybe think about a 24 - 70 if you really want the practicality of a zoom, but imo you dont need it. Ive got a zoom trilogy, and tbh if I was to do it again I'd be set for primes.
 
One of my friend's a wedding photographer and according to him the minimum kit bag contents for a shoot would be:

Canon 5DmkII
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens with the 5DmkII
Canon 430EXII

He also carries with himself a 50mm f1.8 prime but doesn't switch over a lot.

He also sometimes carries another L lens, I'm not sure if it's the 24-70L or 24-105L.
 
Last edited:
alchemistkevin said:
One of my friend's a wedding photographer and according to him the minimum kit bag contents for a shoot would be:

Canon 5DmkII
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
Canon 430EXII

He also carries with himself a 50mm f1.8 prime but doesn't switch over a lot.

He also sometimes carries another L lens, I'm not sure if it's the 24-70L or 24-105L.
Click to expand...

EF-S won't work/fit on a 5D!!
 
Ploddles said:
EF-S won't work/fit on a 5D!!
Click to expand...
You're right, it wouldn't. I'd compiled the list from an email he'd sent me a while ago when I was shopping for equipment and I picked up a lens he'd suggested for my 7D, apologies to the OP. His primary lens is the: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens with the 5DmkII
 
Surely if you have a degree in photography, you should be well aware of the kit requirements for the job, i.e. fast lenses, covering good range, and some pro bodies. Then it is a case of choosing canon over nikon (or hasselblad for whatever reason) and selecting favourite lenses of the shelf, and there are many 'right' answers. It is how you are going to use them that will make all the difference.

Probably I'd say pick up a VW transporter - this may help with transportation and may provide some small jobs in between. good luck
 
I think jumping in buying shed loads of equipment is a bit risky at 1st. Im just starting out so need to do couple of courses i think, then get some practise in photographing friends etc while trying to get some work experience with other photographers. While this is going on i wont need all that equipment. Ive looked at the 7d and seems the choice for me with a 580 II and now just need to do some research on the lenses youve suggested.
 
This is quite a common question and answer is normally:

Full frame:
5dmkII
24-70
70-200 2.8 mkII
Ex580 II

Cropped:
7D or 60D
17-55 2.8
70-200 2.8 MKII
Ex580II

As a good starting point maybe with a 50 or 85 prime or possible a wider lens. for dark churches and high ISO full frame might be the way to go.

Then you need think about backups i.e. 2nd bodies and lens, in case of failure and to reduce lens swapping.

The equipment people use varies a lot from 500d and kit lens upwards depending on budget. I guess it also depends on your pricing structure and business plan.
 
Hi,

my 2p :D

Has to be full frame, preferably with good low iso handling.

Nikon : d700 or d3x ?
Lenses would probably be one wide or ultra wide 16mm-24mm? (to get all guests/families together). Portrait lens, f1.4 - 50mm or 85mm?

These are all guesses - probably best to go to a store and handle the cameras first, find the best one that suits you.


As a frivilous option, but may be good, leica m9. probably with a 50mm lens. Link to Tobers thread that has some pics...

You'd probably still want to compliment it with a canon/nikon full frame too, probably a zoom lens up to 200mm?

Or as already has been posted, see about getting some photo shoots in first and upgrade as required to better kit?

Good luck in your venture!
 
I would have said if you have the money and where thinking of commmiting 100% go fo something like this:
Canon 5d2
Canon 1d3 (second hand)
16-35mm 2.8
24mm 1.4
50mm 1.2
70-200 2.8
Loots and lots of memory cards
a 430 or 580ex or 2
and lots of batteries.

That is pretty much a perfect set up.
 
Why are people suggesting prime lenses for wedding work?

If you're a pro, do you have time to swap lenses on a wedding shoot? (serious question)
 
alchemistkevin said:
Why are people suggesting prime lenses for wedding work?

If you're a pro, do you have time to swap lenses on a wedding shoot? (serious question)
Click to expand...

Good point, maybe once I know what focal length I need an when that would be possible but for starting off and learning surely I would be better with a zoom that will cover most of it and maybe a wide angle prime?
 
here's my equipment that i'll be using to do some more weddings next year, although i'll be second shooting as many as i can before i start taking them on myself

1 x 5d mark 2
1 x 5d mark 3 if it is released next year (2nd hand classic 5d if not)
35 1.4 L
85 1.4
135 L f/2
17-40 L
580 ex II
430 ex II
 
I think most of the "bags" listed here have a mixture of both, zooms for the flexibility and primes for low light and the big set piece pix.
 
daugirdas said:
Probably I'd say pick up a VW transporter - this may help with transportation and may provide some small jobs in between. good luck
Click to expand...

If you follow everyone else's thinking I think that's really good advice but only because you'll need somewhere to sleep when you can't afford to pay the mortgage any more.

There's never any shortage of people willing to spend your money, even if it is just hypothetically. :bonk:

I've seen too many ex-colleagues take a package with a big grin, only to be still jobless after six months.

The OP's given no budget, but even if he got a month for every year he worked, that's only six month's pay. Given that the wedding season is over, you'll have used all that up on your day to day living costs before the next season has even begun.

If I were you I'd find another job, even if it were in an area I didn't want to stay in long term and only then, work out a budget for kit. Most weddings are at the weekend and he you can then start shooting weddings as a weekend warrior and if and when the business grows, look to pack in the day job.
 
NorthernNikon said:
If you follow everyone else's thinking I think that's really good advice but only because you'll need somewhere to sleep when you can't afford to pay the mortgage any more.

There's never any shortage of people willing to spend your money, even if it is just hypothetically. :bonk:

I've seen too many ex-colleagues take a package with a big grin, only to be still jobless after six months.

The OP's given no budget, but even if he got a month for every year he worked, that's only six month's pay. Given that the wedding season is over, you'll have used all that up on your day to day living costs before the next season has even begun.

If I were you I'd find another job, even if it were in an area I didn't want to stay in long term and only then, work out a budget for kit. Most weddings are at the weekend and he you can then start shooting weddings as a weekend warrior and if and when the business grows, look to pack in the day job.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice, but im a little better off as they got rid of 150 staff so they offered me triple what i was expecting plus i have no commitments, no debt, no mortgage, no kids! And im going to move in with my dad when i get back until ive sorted myself out. Once im back i will be sorting out a job (doing anything) for day to day bills etc and in the meantime while waiting for the wedding season to start up again get my practice, lesson, training, experience sorted out. I know this isnt going to happen over night and i will have to put a hell of a lot of time in but its my dream its what i want to do with my life and no one is going to stop me :D
 
tris101 said:
This is quite a common question and answer is normally:

Full frame:
5dmkII
24-70
70-200 2.8 mkII
Ex580 II

Cropped:
7D or 60D
17-55 2.8
70-200 2.8 MKII
Ex580II

As a good starting point maybe with a 50 or 85 prime or possible a wider lens. for dark churches and high ISO full frame might be the way to go.

Then you need think about backups i.e. 2nd bodies and lens, in case of failure and to reduce lens swapping.

The equipment people use varies a lot from 500d and kit lens upwards depending on budget. I guess it also depends on your pricing structure and business plan.
Click to expand...


Many thanks i think i will with your cropped option and seems the best overall for me at the moment! :)
 
Best advice you got here imho was from barney. Follow your dreams but note fools rush in.

Takes most togs about 3 years to get established and make decent dosh.

Dont splash a load of cash on equipment until you have found your style and know for sure what you need.
 
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