What gear to go for??

[alistairf]

Right - I'm new to this whole world of SLR and only have the 18-55mm kit lens that came with the 300d and a UV filter to protect it.

I'll be snapping away at my sister's wedding in a years time (a pro is doing the proper shots, I'll be sticking to stressless reception pics) so my question is: what gear should I get?

A longer zoom lens would seem sensible and some lens/flash to get shots at night?

Some stuff that has already caught my eye...
flash: 420ex speedlite
lens: 50mm F1.8
85mm F1.8
28-135 IS F3.5-5.6 IS USM
70-200mm F4 L / 75-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM

On a tight budget here (who isn't) and am happy to settle for second-best to begin with if better gear is out of my league. Have a look at my gallery to see samples of the sort of photography I generally get up to - architectural, landscapes, cityscapes etc.

Any suggestions as to other lens/flash??

Thanks in advance :lol:

[Jon]

Unless you're going to make a practice of shooting weddings, don't let that govern your buying decisions. Get the gear that suits what you'll be doing most of the time (unless Sis is comping you some equipment in exchange for your efforts :{)# ).

A fast lens for the candids. You don't want to be calling attention to yourself with the flash blasting away if you can help it, but you may need it indoors. The 85 may be a tad long for inside except across the room. Likewise the 70-200 or 75-300. The 28-135's well-thought-of around here. If you're going to get a flash, start with the 550EX (or the new 580EX just released/releasing - anyone got one yet?), which, because of the higher power rating, will recycle faster in any given conditions.

[DocFrankenstein]

Wedding or no wedding, buy the gear that suits your shooting needs right now, not "something to get by" because it's nice way to lose some $$$.

Get 70-200 over the 75-300. If you need range, get 1.4x converter
Get 50/1.8 - no brainer
85/1.8 is very good too from what I heard.

You don't want to be calling attention to yourself with the flash blasting away if you can help it, but you may need it indoors.
He also may need it outdoors, to remove the shadows from under the eyes. Nobody's gonna die if the flash fires 3-4 times during the precious moment :lol:

[alistairf]

Yeah I noticed the 28-135 getting a few compliments!

any reasons why the 550ex flash over the 420ex??

[vfilby]

Yeah I noticed the 28-135 getting a few compliments!

any reasons why the 550ex flash over the 420ex??

I have the sigma equivalent to the 550EX. The main differences are the extra power and the full manual control. I just did a photo shoot yesterday with the light coming from one side only (a non-studio shoot) and I needed to bounce the flash off a white wall to even out the shadows. The results using ettl were not good so I set the flash manually and worked from there.

I also have a 50mm and it is a very nice lens for the price. Definitely worth having. I am sure that you will never want to use the 18-55 again if you can help it.

I also have the 75-300 III non-USM and non-IS. I would avoid it unless you have to. I bought mine for $100 used and I do like it but the images are soft. If you can afford a better telephoto, go for it instead. I am waiting to buy better glass, hopefully a 17-40 and a 70-200. Of course this will be when I am no longer a student and no longer have student debts.

Cheers,

[su719]

alistairf,

A lot people here are gear heads and have to have the best and latest. However you can do one step below and save lots of money.

I have heard good things about the sigma flash. For the tele check out the Tamron 70-300 LD. Instead of the 28-135 check out the Tamron 28-75. There is no much better for the money than the 50mm 1.8 so I would definately recommend that. As for the 85, what is your purpose of that lens. Remember with a DSLR you have a crop factor of 1.6x so the 50mm will be equivalent to the 85 on a film camera. Also to save a few $$$ you can go used from ebay or your local camera store.

[Perfect_10]

..... For the tele check out the Tamron 70-300 LD. ....

I had a Tamron 70-300 .. couldn't wait to get rid of it .. noisy motor .. real slow on AF .. controls reversed to Canon's. I would go for the 70-200L f/4 .. that was my replacement, and I couldn't be happier.

[Cadwell]

The 28-135's well-thought-of around here.

Not universally. I have one and can’t stand the thing.

[Olegis]

A fast prime is good for shooting candids - 50mm f/1.8, 85mm f/1.8 or even the 135mm f/2, all these will give you wonderful results, even in low light situations. The Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 is a very good lens also - a bit soft at f/2.8, but excellent at f/4 and above. The Canon alternative is the excellent 24-70 f/2.8L - but it's about three times more exensive.

During the reception you might want the flexibility of longer zoom - so you can get a fast one, like the Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS (quite expensive), the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 non-IS (less expensive) or the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 (worse than Canon wide open, but still very acceptable).

A flash is a must, IMO. Even the older 380EX might be sufficient with some Pocket Bouncer diffuser.