Start-up gear?

[fotoholic]

I just realized that I posted this in the wrong forum before so I am posting it here - sorry!

I am a newbie that is interested in getting into portraiture and wedding photography. I have a limited amount of $$$ to spend on my startup gear (aiming at no more than $1,500 total) and would like your opinions on how the following sounds (of course, I would upgrade my equipment in due time as funds become available). I've tried to do as much research as I can, I'm sorry as this question probably gets asked a lot.


Canon 400D Rebel XTI (body only about $530)
Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM (about $240) is this wide angle enough?
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II (about $87) I was thinking f1.8 would be nice for indoor bridal shots getting ready
Canon 430EX Speedlite Flash (about $260)
8GB CF Card
Bounce diffuser for flash
Set of 3 filters (UV, fluorescent, polarizer)


Do you think this is a good start-up set? Are any of the items above not recommended or is there something you think I should add? I'd really love a wide-angle lens but it's just not in the budget for now. :sad: Is it really necessary? I suppose I could rent one until I could afford one.

Thanks so much in advance for all your help!! :grin:

[kokakaste2]

28-105mm lens on 400D will have field of view of 44,8-168mm (due to 1,6x crop), so there is no wide angle anymore :(

[fotoholic]

should I go with the kit lens instead (17-55mm)? Which would be more useful at weddings - wide angle or telephoto?

[Christel_B]

Do not underestimate the kit lens 18-55... find its sweet spot and you can get some amazing results. I see them sell on here a lot for $60-$70

[x7dayzx]

If you're doing weddings, you're going to need to have some backups. One 8GB card is putting all your eggs into one basket so to speak. I'd rather have 2 4GB cards than 1 8GB. Or have 2 8GB...although unless you're wanting to shoot all in RAW, 2/4GB cards are far more economical. I've done just fine with only a 2GB card and a 1GB as back up, but I only shoot .jpgs. Also think about maybe getting a used 580 flash rather than the 430, or work a new one into your budget, its far more powerful and can really help inside. And yeah if you don't plan on any wide angle get the kit lens, maybe wait on the 28-105, until you can afford to get different/better glass. Can't go wrong with that 50mm 1.8 though, I love that lens, sometimes gets better results even than my L. In fact if you want to start basic all you'd really need is the 50mm because on the xti its like having an 85mm 1.8 prime lens, which is really good for events like weddings, and it does great portraits.