Starting out.. what would you do?

[dlcx]

Hey all,

I'm really interested in getting into the wedding photography game - I am currently going to be doing a friends wedding in March which will be my first wedding gig.
I'm also not against looking for unpaid apprentice / 2nd shooter work for a pro wedding photographer just to gain experience... anyone in Melbourne Australia interested? :)

My gear so far is:

20D
10-22
50 f1.4
135L f2
430EX

I obviously need to buy some new gear. I've done a lot of reading.. but here are my options at this stage:

1) Potentially wait for the 40D and buy a 17-55 IS as my main lens

2) Buy a second hand 30D when the 40D is released. Get a 17-55 IS as main lens - this is obviously the most economical option.

3) Buy a second hand 5D w battery grip and genuine spare battery (it is currently being offered to me for around $3000 AU or around $2550 US) - only one month old and hardly used. I would then get a 24-70L for the main lens (but also more pricey than 17-55). This is obviously the most expensive option. Will be close to $5000 AU (uggghhh!)

Now I know that a 5D would be really nice, but bang for buck lies with a 30D with 17-55 IS. I know the 30D is very similar to the 20D but I'm also really interested in hanging out for the 40D if it has better dynamic range and lower noise (not saying that it will of course!).

Would you buy a 5D now?
Or at least wait for any possible news on 40D (rumoured to be POSSIBLY announced at end of month)

The other thing I would buy would be a 580EX II as main flash (existing 430EX secondary).

I am also interested in doing a wedding seminar with Jerry Ghionis in his Melbourne studio but thats another $1800 (for 4 days!)... so it's all starting to add up :(

As a newcomer, do you think starting with the 30D would be a sensible building block?

Cheers, appreciate your opinions!
Dave

[Jim G]

Buying a 30D/40D will mean you can use the 20D as backup and have your lenses be the same "length" between bodies as well as being able to use the 10-22/17-55 on whichever body you have. This may or may not be an advantage. Also, the IS on the 17-55 which is lacking on the 24-70 may be something to consider as well as the EF-S being cheaper in the first place.Many wedding photographers use XXd cameras.

If money's really tight I'd be going for the 30/40D and upgrading down the track if things go successfully.


Edit: I'll add that I have no wedding photography experience, this is just my observation and opinion so take as you will ;)

[tim]

Have you read the FAQ? Plenty of info there. Also there's a thread like this posted every day, a bit of a read will help.

I don't see any need for a 5D personally. I use a 20D and a 30d.

Also don't think of it as a game, think of it as a profession that will take you years to learn. Also remember there's a huge business component.

[dlcx]

Yep I've read it - just at a bit of a crossroads as to which option is better due to the potential release of the 40D...hence my post.

Given both of your replies, I think I might lean towards a xxD camera to save costs.

[italianfemmy]

I think the 17-55 IS 2.8 is simply amazing and invaluable. :-) But, I really like my 70-200:-)

[Tish]

This one is easier than you think:

First choice: a used 20D + 17-55
Second choice: a used 30D + 17-55

Then use whatever you have left, plus beg, borrow, or steal (just kidding on that!), but GO TO THE SEMINAR!

I'll be the first to say that having good gear DOES make a difference--people who say otherwise confuse the heck out of me. I saw a huge improvement in the number of keepers I got when I started using the 17-55....and they jumped exponentially when I got the 70-200 2.8 IS. But none of it would have been worth a damn if I hadn't spent the money on the weeklong workshop with Boutwell Studio & AltF that I did in June. My images are a lot stronger and more consistent because of the learning I took home from that event.

The most telling compliment I've received since then came today, from a work acquaintance I hadn't spoken with since May. She saw the new website this morning, and immediately pinged me with, "Wow, I loved your work before, but I can't believe how much better you've gotten since we last spoke!" That to me speaks volumes about the investment I've made in photographic training.

Buy used gear & invest in your skills first.

Oh, and read Tim's FAQ! And everything else you can get your hands on. We're blessed to have a ton of free information at our fingertips, take advantage of it.

[liza]

I'd go with option 2. You can add a 5D later, once you improve your skills and actually decide if wedding photography is what you want to do.

[tim]

I wouldn't buy used equipment for professional use. I buy my cameras new, locally, if anything goes wrong they give me a loaner until it's fixed.

[Woogie]

I personally wouldn't shell out the big bucks for the seminar. I think there is a lot of information you can pick up on these forums and a lot of experience to be gained by going out there and shooting either your friends or for a professional wedding photographer. Experience > knowledge gained from the seminar, in my opinion. The seminar will probably teach you the business end of wedding photography, but given your current financial situation, I'd spend the money on gear.

[Tish]

It's really rare that I would ever disagree with Tim because I truly respect his opinion, but I have to this time. :)

If you were CERTAIN that you wanted to do wedding photography--had already shot as a guest or as a second shooter for half a dozen or more weddings--then he's right, buy all new where possible so you get the warranty, and loaners if vendors in your area offer them (none here locally do).

But at this point, you're still in the "interested" stage. Why spend the extra money on buying new when you're not even you'll make this more than a hobby? Yes, you can always resell gear, but why take the loss? So many people shoot their first wedding (or even their first 2 or 3) and realize that wedding photography isn't for them--they're better suited to portraits/pets/sports/landscapes/whatever. Others decide they'd rather keep photography as a hobby. And that's completely OK....unless you've just dropped a bucketful of money on new gear that's no longer considered a business expense.

If there's any possibility that you're not going to enjoy this, or that you won't use the very specific lenses that are best for weddings, then buy used or better yet, rent. I've spent about $1100 on two used 20Ds this year, knowing the odds are that one of them will lose a shutter in the next 18 months. A shutter replacement is ~$250....and that still puts me at less than half of one new 5D, and not much over the cost of one 30D (before the latest price drops). Or I buy new at that point, as I've made my very low investment back already on both bodies. I can live with that risk while I determine whether or not I can make this into a profitable business. My IS lenses are the only "new" equipment in my bag, and only because they've got a higher failure rate than most.

My .02 worth....and that's about all it's worth! ;)

[MrTED]

Why not buy a new 30D? They are cheap enough now due to the impending release of the next model. I just picked a new one up for AU$1350.

Nathan

[dlcx]

Well I just got a bonus at my work today ($2000) which makes life a little easier ... yay! :)

Since I don't really need to buy right this second, I think I should at least wait till end of August for any news of the 40D, although a new 30D does sound good. I'm pretty set on the 17-55 IS.

I agree with most points in here.
Guess its no point spending lots of money on high end gear when it may or may not work out... I got burnt with my 350D (lost over $1000 on it over a year and a half by it decreasing in value when I upgraded to a 20D).
In Australia, you also can't claim any depreciation on your equipment for a business unless you earn over $20,000 from that business... which I really doubt will happen :D

At this stage I need to work out if I should attend the seminar/workshop... it would be pretty awesome.

[rosesanplacebos]

I'd throw my two cents in (just shot my first wedding!)
but I'd sound like a small echo so I won't. But behold one line that Tish just said that sums up everything:

"Buy used gear & invest in your skills first."

[dlcx]

Well for the record here is what I've ended up doing...

1) Bought a new 40D (at a good price too - $1714 Australian)
2) Bought a 580EX II ($590 AUS)
3) Most likely will look at the 17-55 IS
4) Signed up for the Jerry Ghionis wedding workshop (pumped for this! tho very expensive)

So I now have two bodies, and two flashes. And will hoepfully pickup some good tips / skills at Jerry's workshop.
Thanks again to everyones opinions and input..

Dave