Best Camera for Studio and Wedding Photography????

[Dr. A]

I am just getting back into photography after a long respite. I would like your opinions on what is the best digital camera to purchase if I eventually wanted to get back into studio and wedding photography? All thoughts are appreciated.

[Dubsta]

I would think a 20D would fit you fine...

I shot with a professional photographer this weekend...who uses a D100...he also owns the other two high end Nikon's and he says that the D100 is perfect for weddings...and when we were at his HIGH END studio...that is also what he used.

He only uses the others for when he shoots for books and stuff like that...massive landscape pictures...

[Dubsta]

Or even a 350...

[ssim]

I think that we will see alot of wedding photographers move over to the 5D. Given the confines that one has to work with sometimes your wide angles are really wide with the full frame sensor.

[CyberDyneSystems]

5D,.. it's a bit more pricey thne some of the other options.. if the price is too much than the 20D is the obvious choice. But 5D is really designed fro exactly what you have in mind :)

[Longwatcher]

Okay since no one mentioned, it was asked as THE BEST camera for...

1DsMkII (that "s" is for studio)
There is currently in production or announced, no better 35mm format digital studio camera. By any company. Period.

There are some medium format cameras that might do better in studio (see Phase or Leif backs), but these tend to be unweildy for weddings, where as the 1DsMkII is very useable for weddings.

For weddings however, the 5D may be better because of it's lighter weight. And the 20D or 1DM2n would be quite acceptable, as would a couple of Noink cameras, but this IS a CANON forum. Both would be aceptable in the studio, but not quite as good as 1DsMkII.

However, if cost is a concern.
5D will be your best value studio and wedding camera as it is full frame, it will be followed by 20D and then a Noink camera (D2X).

Just my opinion,
Note: I shoot studio and I avoid weddings like I would a plaque (or lately a hurricane), but have done a couple small no-risk ones for friends.

[CyberDyneSystems]

.. well that's certainly an oversite.. http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze2hdzu/pics/doh.gif

Yep,. 1Ds is the king for sure.

[cmM]

if I were to start now... it would be a 5D for me. It might be regadless :-P, I'm still trying to resist. Unless you have $$$, i think for the purpose it's the best price/features combination.

[Merle]

I will have to agree with longwatcher on this one, as no money limitations were given in the opening thread. The 1Ds MKII is the best available today in the 35mm size camera. In medium format size cameras there are more mega-pexels out there available. NOW we are talking some big dollars, not that the 1Ds Mk II is not expensive. ;) :) :D

Good Shooting to Ya !!
Merle

[Dr. A]

Thanks everyone for your input. If you have any other suggestions for cameras or studio lighting, I would appreciate hearing what you have to say.

[DocFrankenstein]

Thanks everyone for your input. If you have any other suggestions for cameras or studio lighting, I would appreciate hearing what you have to say.
yep... elinchrom and bowens lights with a 1Ds mkII should suit you fine.

For glass a nice collection of L glass (zooms backed up by primes) :D

[grego]

If you don't mind going backwards, the 1Ds Mark I is also a possibility. The price is mroe affordable and I think with the 5D coming out it'll drop a little more.

And then of course there is the 5D. A reason why its useful for weddings as well besides the resolution, is the buffer is bigger than the 20D. Although the 1DMKII has a similar buffer.

So I'd say 5D or 1Ds Mark I. The 5D would have a newer, improved sensor though.

[Dr. A]

I have looked, researched, and shopped. JEEZ! This is alot of work! I think I have decided on a 5D. Now just finding the best place to order it from............

[Longwatcher]

I have looked, researched, and shopped. JEEZ! This is alot of work! I think I have decided on a 5D. Now just finding the best place to order it from............

Start at BH
www.bhphotovideo.com
and then if you see a price more then 10% lower don't trust it without a lot of backup information.
BH is my personal favorite as they have very good prices overall for photo equipment, however you can occasionally find better prices on individual items. They also have the advantage of overall excellent customer service with only rare occasional glitches.

My secondary list is very long so not going to offer it here.