Camera choice

Hi everyone,

To start with I have been going a long with a Canon 1000d to some weddings as a bit of a second shooter/assitant. I've found many times I need iso 3200 which my camera doesn't do! I use a 430exii when I can, but sometimes we are not allowed to use flash indoors.

I'm on a very tight budget, and only have £300 ish to spend. I've been considering a used 40d and grip, or possibly a 550d. In an ideal world the spec of the 550d combined with the ergonomics and build of the 40d would be ideal. Are there any other options I should consider? I would love to make second shooting a regular thing, so bearing that in mind I don't know what to do. I should add all my memory cards are SD not CF so there would be added expense there, and my budget comes from selling my current camera and other bits so a faster lens isn't an option.

Thanks!

I understand why you may think you need 3200 but I shot weddings for years on film and never used any iso higher then 400.
Now shooting with digital I still rarely go over 1000.

What about keeping your current body and upgrading your lenses? What do you have currently, if all you need is 1 stop of light, getting that out of some cheaper primes might be a better route.

What lenses do you currently use?

I'd tell you to forget the grip and get the 40D if not the 50D. Even the 50D at ISO3200 requires some noise clean-up in PP, but it does a good job and represents a real good value (IMO).

I currently use a tamron 17-50 2.8, I did consider primes but I would like more depth of field, plus I still find I'm zooming alot so would rather stick to constant aperture zooms. I'm often pulling up exposures by one or one and a half stops and the noise is horrid. So having that added flexibility would be great. I'm not sure if a 50d would be out of budget but I will look. I was hoping to spend £400ish with a grip, but if the right body was at the price without then I would go with that.

you're going to need to learn to shoot to the right or HAMSTR.

I can't shoot at any lower shutter speeds, ive never been the steadiest hand at anything unfortunately!

Monopod will get you one or two SS faster for pretty cheap. I'm super shaky too.

Just get one of the newer rebels with the better processors in it if you need high ISO. I just shot a pageant where I had my second use her 50d and shoot at ISO 3200 and it looks fine.

mattyb240 wrote in post #13152619
I can't shoot at any lower shutter speeds, ive never been the steadiest hand at anything unfortunately!

monopod, tripod, flash. It is nice to have higher ISO/ lower noise available but you don't have to have it. Been done for years. It is only very recently that higher ISO performance actually became a deliverable product outside of journalism.

You should consider a 5D Classic

zagiace wrote in post #13152791
monopod, tripod, flash. It is nice to have higher ISO/ lower noise available but you don't have to have it. Been done for years. It is only very recently that higher ISO performance actually became a deliverable product outside of journalism.

Unfortunately a monopod isn't going to stop the motion blur of subjects, and I do use flash when possible but it isn't always. I don't mind noise when I can expose properly, but when I'm at 1/30 sec at 2.8 and I'm still a stop underexposed by 1 stop it looks horrible when pulled up even with LR3 noise reduction.

I'm just not sure if I should go for build quality and "look" of a 40d or newer technology still with an amateurish look of the 550d (which I am of course an amatuer but its nice not to have the same camera as people in the church!)

Unfortunately a 5D Classic is out of budget, and I wouldn't be able to put a lens in front of it!

Thanks for all the responses so far.

mattyb240 wrote in post #13154845
Unfortunately a monopod is going to stop the motion blur of subjects, and I do use flash when possible but it isn't always. I don't mind noise when I can expose properly, but when I'm at 1/30 sec at 2.8 and I'm still a stop underexposed by 1 stop it looks horrible when pulled up even with LR3 noise reduction.

Unfortunately you dont have a lot of options in this situation. Tripod, slow down The shutter speeds and use a flash to freeeze motion was how it was done with film or pose them and have them keep very still for a longer exposure.

Might want to try faster glass and get closer. A 50mm has been the standard for years. You could get a 50mm1.8 and have a few more options.

I really discourage people from getting into wedding photography when i hear things like i need this but i dont have any money. At that point you should not try to do what we do. Just look at everyones gear list in this forum. Takes a healthy investment to do this and it takes a couple of seasons to get the stuff paid off, and still make a living at the same time.

You need a batter body and better glass and more lights before you should even consider jumping into this business.

Minimul equipment:

Better body- something that will shoot reasonably clean at 1600-2000

Fast zoom like a 17-50 or 24-70

fast prime like a 50mm 1.4

Something for reach-- lots of options starting with the 85mm 1.8 and going up to a 70-200 f/2.8

At least 2 flashes--580 and a 430 give you lots of options

Sorry to have to tell you this but its reality. There are way to many people out there that cant afford proper equipment trying to be professional wedding photographers.

Sorry you misunderstand, it's not my profession, and at this point it's not going to be, it's a hobby. And I'm very lucky that a kind photographer has taken me on as a volunteer assistant and unofficial second.

If it was going to be then I assure you I would make the investment. I just want something to help me get slightly better results for myself and to show progression. My images arent crucial or even required, it's just something I enjoy at the moment and have the oppurtunity for a small upgrade without spending much. I appreciate your honesty but your pointe are already known to me.

If I ever decided to make a leap I have my wishlist ready with the necessary requirements!