I am beginner .... 5D mark ii or 7D ??

The 5DII is an easier camera to learn and a better camera for your purposes.

A 60D would be even easier to learn, about half the price (leaving more money aside for good lenses, which ultimately are more important than the camera) and good enough to be a second shooter at weddings.

I suggest you check out the wedding forum here and see what people are using.

If you are planning to shoot weddings for pay on your own, you actually should have two cameras, several lenses and at least two flashes, plenty of memory cards and extra batteries.

Naturally Aspirated wrote in post #14266834
You're a beginner who's gonna shoot weddings and parties, and you ask this question? Hmm...

Yes I am beginner .... but I try a littel bit take photos with unprofessional cameras. And want to develope my skills and some people around me see that I have a talent.

Naturally Aspirated wrote in post #14266834
You're a beginner who's gonna shoot weddings and parties, and you ask this question? Hmm...

^^ what he said. Don't splurge on a 5D to begin with. Buy a used T2i and a couple uses lenses, then let the JOB pay for your new gear.

But weddings is a good way to destroy your love of photography, so I'm told. Starting off, you're not going to be able to charge much, and without a portfolio, you may have to do some freebies to begin, just to build a small portfolio. Not many people will rely their permanent one-time (hopefully) wedding photos to someone who's work they can't see any example of.

You'll want some fast lenses to give good isolation of the subject, and a good flash. So I wouldn't put the kind of cash you're talking into a body. I'd put it into lenses and flash, and a cheap(er) body, and go from there.

Wedding photography is very hectic, and you'll want to be VERY familiar with all the settings/menus on your camera. Get a cheaper (used) body and shoot the crap out of it for a few weeks. Put your cash into good lenses.

Scatterbrained wrote in post #14266841
Start with a 5DII, 24070L, 16-35L, 70-200 2.8L, 580exII and go get em tiger.

I think the 600ex flash would be better.

I have seen someone pick up an entry DSLR and within 3 months deliver professional level quality engagement shoots and family portraits.

I struggle with these types of shooting and I have shot consistently for about a decade.

My honest recommendation if you have been thinking about gear and sounds like you have around 2K ish to spend and really feel like you want to build a portfolio in the industries you mentioned.

As amfoto said:

2 cameras
2 flashes
at least 1 1.4 lens.
Lots of cards and such

Dont forget about software and computers.

I would get a 5D classic and a 40D used for about 1200-1300$, a 50 1.4 for 300$ and a flash.

With the pocket change if there is any I would rent a 24-70 2.8 and a 70-200 2.8 IS and some sort of a specialty lens if you can swing it.

If your charging for photos with no portfolio then get insurance. Really just get insurance anyway.

If you're just starting out, try rebel series first like I've been through. Try growing up and learning the fundamentals. There's too much learning curve in photography world other than which slr to use. Most slrs even rebel series are very capable of producing great images. I've met several owners of pro dslrs without knowing what are the capabilities of their camera.

Oh I miss read, if money isn't an issue 7D is my choice. We're of the same boat btw, like to have 7D or 5D2

One other thing to keep in mind about weddings and shooting that (hopefully) once in a lifetime event is that if you screw up you can be sued. Just a happy thought to keep in the back of your mind.

Thanks for all of you guys. Now I have more clear thinking. Really thanks a lot every comment helps me a lot.
And Good Luck for all of you.

My first DSLR was a Rebel T1i (500D). I spent 18 mos with it, a few lenses, and some good photog books. Then I felt I was ready for an upgrade, so I got a 60D. If someone has the money, and they're serious about the endeavor, I don't begrudge them buying a fancy body. You only live once. If things tank, you can always sell it, as long as you don't mind taking the financial loss.

For those who don't have money to burn, I suppose I'd recommend a Rebel, similar to the route I took. Find out if it's for you, etc.

Take a photography course first.

MY first dSLR was a Nikon crop body. I went through 3 more bodies until I got a 5DII. And let me tell you, Full Frame and crop is a pretty big difference. You will get more use out of your lenses, you’ll get less noise, etc..

But I agree, wedding photography is something one should master. I’m a wedding photographer and I KNOW what it is. It’s hard and you need a lot of stuff.

jimmy637 wrote in post #14267040
Take a photography course first.

Why? For most people, best way to learn is by picking up a camera and start shooting. I imagine most people here on POTN never took a photography course.

I started out with a Rebel, but that's because we were poor when we started. If someone has the money, why not start with a 7D or 5D or something similar (most people end up upgrading anyway).

Back to the 'take a course' recommendation: these days, there's almost nothing you can't learn on the internet. The stickies on POTN, alone, are probably worth more than some community college photography course!

I say buy the camera and learn as you go!

Perhaps I am just getting cynical as I get older...but am I the only one who suspects this OP might be pulling some legs here? a.k.a.- not a serious poster?

CatchingUp wrote in post #14267163
Perhaps I am just getting cynical as I get older...but am I the only one who suspects this OP might be pulling some legs here? a.k.a.- not a serious poster?

In that case, I highly recommend the 1DMk4.