What do I need to buy to get started.......

[bakerbranded]

Hey everyone, well this is sort of a follow up from:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=566532

Anyways since then, I have made decisions and had obtained a lens.

The gear I currently have, plus will be buying:

1. Canon EOS 20D (Would it be beneficial to upgrade to a 30 or 40D?)
2. 70-200 f/4 L
3. 50 f1.8

I will be for sure buying a 430EX and 17-55 f/2.8 IS and a 1 Light Setup

I already know that I want to get with a wedding photographer I like and asst./second shoot.
But on top of that and reading books, searching online I would like to hear from professionals the gear that a young starting out budget conscience.
What do I need to honestly do a wedding starting out afford ably. I'm 16 so please understand a budget.

What other accessories in order of importance should I buy: (ie: grip, bracket, tri or monopod, diffusers ect.)

So even if it does happen to be pricey but something I will benefit from place it in an order and I will go by that when purchasing items.

Thanks,
Scott

[lindsayanng]

From what i understand, ESPECIALLY since you are only 16, anyone who hires you will be hiring you as an assistant and NOT a second photographer. Dont take that as a bad thing, but you are young and everyone needs to start somewhere.

You will be like the go-fer. get this, set up that, make sure we have everything in place before we get there.

It is going to seem like useless work that will teach you nothing, you will be learning a LOT more than you think without ever having touched a camera. Learnign to interact with the wedding parties, what shots you see the photog. feels is NESSECARY, ect..

Get an assistant job and save your money. Dony buy anything more for now until you have enough to purchase professional equipment.. instead of just getting the cheap stuff.

[Vascilli]

I think as long as the strobe you buy is well priced, you'd be good save for a reflector. Otherwise you could use all that gear even if you didn't get a job as assistant.

[ChrisRabior]

Things to consider:

-If you're doing weddings, you're going to struggle with anything slower than f/2.8. The 40D is going to handle higher ISO noise better than the 20D.

-If you ever plan on going full frame, be it film or digital, then forget about the EF-S mounts.

-A lot of people swear by L-glass. I swear by my range of f/2.8 glass that happens to be 3rd party. For what you want to do, you need fast zooms without breaking the bank, and 3rd party won't break the bank.

-Consider primes. The 50mm f/1.8 isn't a great focusing lens in low light. The 50mm f/1.4 and the 85mm f/1.8 are WONDERFUL. Also consider a 35mm f/2.0 for the same purpose.

-I'll recommend Alien Bee strobes, because that's what most of my strobing experience has been with, and I've yet to have any problems with them.

-I'm really happy with my 430EX, but JUST AS HAPPY with this old P.O.S. K-mart brand flash I found for $4 at a garage sale. If you shoot manual, it won't matter one way or another what type of flash you get..


Not sure what you have available to spend, but if I could go back, I'd probably buy three lenses to start:
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8
Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8

[gravy graffix]

a minimalist approach to even consider 2nd shooting.... would be

17-50 2.8 tamron (350 used) save the 500 bux on the canon one...unless you have parkinsons...
50.1.4 (280 used)
85 1.8 (310 used)
430 flash (ettl) (220 maybe)
and maybe
light room and CS2 or 3
a good monitor and calibrated.

your 20 will be fine for noise, 40 is a hell of alot better when dark, but you will be ok... everyone else was when a 20d was the "deal" a few years ago.

[tim]

I talk about this in the wedding FAQ.

Regarding the gear you currently have, the 20D is fine, but personally I much prefer my 40Ds, enough so i'll buy another 40D or a 50D for my new assistant rather than have them use the 20D. The 40D focuses faster and more accurately, and takes sharper photos. The 50 F1.8 you can throw out. The 70-200 F4L non-IS you can use fine outside, or inside with a tripod. What you're missing is a 17-55 F2.8 IS (as you've said), a backup main lens (kit lens will do if you're pushed), a 580EX with a CP-E4 power pack (trust me, they come in handy when it's sunny or you need flash power in a hurry), and a whole lot of backup equipment.

[bakerbranded]

Thank you everyone who has commented already! Greatly Appreciated

[Vascilli]

Like Tim says, don't bother with the 50mm. The AF motor is just not up to it. I'm "pro" (That's for another thread) and younger than you, btw. I didn't use my 50mm on our shoot.

[bakerbranded]

Originally Posted by Vascilli

Like Tim says, don't bother with the 50mm. The AF motor is just not up to it. I'm "pro" (That's for another thread) and younger than you, btw. I didn't use my 50mm on our shoot.

Thansk for the tip, and what do you mean when you say "I'm Pro"?

[ShotByTom]

Thats just silly...the 50mm 1.8 is a great lens, especially for portraits..not so much for lots of movement in dark rooms, but for portraits or flash shots, its a great lens. Its definatly not going to make much money for you if you sell it, so hang on to it and you'll find a use for it.

I've used that lens for weddings and it was fine.

[tim]

Originally Posted by a521

Thats just silly...the 50mm 1.8 is a great lens, especially for portraits..not so much for lots of movement in dark rooms, but for portraits or flash shots, its a great lens. Its definatly not going to make much money for you if you sell it, so hang on to it and you'll find a use for it.

I've used that lens for weddings and it was fine.

Good luck.

[Vascilli]

Originally Posted by bakerbranded

Thansk for the tip, and what do you mean when you say "I'm Pro"?

Well I did my first paid shoot with my friend and we just managed to break even. But one lady is buying prints (We were only going for portfolio pictures and a little bit of money) so that makes me pro, although barely.

[tim]

One definition of a professional is someone who makes a significant fraction of their income at a given pursuit.

[Vascilli]

Originally Posted by tim

One definition of a professional is someone who makes a significant fraction of their income at a given pursuit.

Another is that you make money with it. This is my only source of income.

[tim]

I helped someone change a tyre once, they gave me $10. That doesn't make me a professional tyre installer