New to forum

[tonyhipps]

Hi eveyone,
I've been watching this forum and others for a while and decided I liked this one and the members personalities better than the others so to joined!
The reason that I am introducing myself in the wedding section is because this is the area that really excites me.
I am fairly new to SLRs’ but I am eager and hungry to learn. I am taking some free online courses in basic photography and wedding photography. I understand that I have a long way to go and I wouldn't think of photographing a wedding for a fee for at least a year or so of study and practice.
I just wanted to say hello and to let everyone know that I have been reading their advice and appreciate it.
I do have one question. When I do start to photograph weddings, would my XT be sufficient or would I need to bite the bullet and spend a couple of thousand dollars on a better body? thanks!

[tonyhipps]

WOW! 18 views and two hours later, and no one has said "Hi, how ya are you? Nice to meet you." Tough crowd!

[Az2Africa]

Welcome to the forums. Sorry for the late greeting. You really will find a lot of helpful people here. Maybe the wedding group gets going later. I think your XT will be fine for weddings. You will want the right lenses of coarse. The faster the glass the better. You'll get plenty of recommendations. I shoot full frame, so my needs are a little different.

[JimAskew]

Tony,

Hi and Welcome to POTN

This is can be a "tough crowd" but not always...you can lurk and learn alot. I've been a member for a year and I "lurked" for six months before that.

Let me state up front that I am not a pro but I am a serious amatuer. IMHO the dRebel is fine for wedding photography. I used my dRebelXTs in July and August of this year to shoot weddings with excellent results (as graded by the B&G and the Bride's Mom). I put a prime lens on one body and a zoom on the other. Lens choice depends on the situation but since I found the 17MM-55MM EF-S IS it has been my zoom of choice. I just ordered the Sigma 30MM f/1.4 to compliment my zoom as my basic prime.

Listen to the pros here and read their posts...you will learn plenty. Visit wedding sites on the Web...there are several threads here that list lots of great sites.

Two books that have really helped me to get started are:

a. Digital Rebel Digital Field Guide by Charlotte K. Lowrie (Wiley Publishing, Inc)
b. Understanding Exposure Revised Edition by Bryan Peterson (Amphoto Books)

There are also many books on Wedding Photography...I don't really have a favorite here...go to Barnes & Nobel or similar bookstores and you will see dozens of titles.

Good luck and study, study, study; and practice, practice, practice

[JustKat]

Hi and Welcome, I use the Rebel XT at weddings all the time and the results are wonderful. I choose to use the XT body so that I can spend more money on lenses, flashes and other toys .
This forum should be very helpful to you even if sometimes you have to wait awhile for a response, lots of busy photographers here, but lots of great advice too!
Good Luck!