Need your help....

I want to get back into photography again after a few years layoff and I really want to get back into this as a part time wedding/portrait gig. Right now all I'm looking to do is build my portfolio over the next 6-9 months working as a 2nd photographer and using my kids for portiat shots. The below packages are very close in price around $4600 each. If I go with the 30D package, I can get more lenses and a lesser camera or I can go with the 5D package and get a better camera one really good lens and add lenses later. Question is can I build a portfolio with a 5D and 24-70? Or another question is can I build a good portfolio with a 30D? I have seen some of my friends 16x20 photos from his 5d and must admit they are amazing in detail.

30D with Grip
24-70 2.8L
70-200 2.8L IS
580EX

or

5D with Grip
24.70 2.8L
580EX

There are some amazing Photographers on POTN who shoot 20D's or 30D's. Some of the best on this forum actually. I would think you could get the most "bang for you buck" with the 30D and the 2 L's or even 1 L and a couple Primes. That's just my opinion, although limited since I have never used a 5d and have not seen the difference in print.

Both will get the job done

The 30D will give you more variety for sure. It's more than capable to produce nice images for portfolio. However, if you are working only with your kids for portrait, then you are in controlled situation. That makes the 5D choice possible as well, since you don't have a need for longer reach. But for 2nd photographer, the 30D choice seems more appropriate.

Anyway, for 30D choice, you wouldn't have a wide angle for since the 24mm will be on 1.6x camera. But again, for your goal, I don't see that you would need to do a lot of wide shots.

You have to look at the future, if you think you can add the longer lens later after you go for 5D choice, I think 24-70 on 5D is a great (re)starting point for you.

30D with one L (17-55 would be better for weddings), grip, 70-200 or 300 IS non-L and a 50 1.4 or 1.2, stay with the 580EX. You're pretty much set for everything you need to do. Instead of buying new, look for near-new here in the 'sell' area. you can get some great deals.

Thanks. Ok....what if I was to change out the 24-70 to a 16-35? I hate to get the 17-55 if I decide later to go FF.

If you think you'll go full frame someday, stay away from the EF-S lenses. Put your money towards good glass. L's are great, but I also have some older EF lenses that are almost as good as the L's and a lot cheaper. I've got some great shots with a 20D and a 30D, so nothing wrong with either one as far as I'm concerned. I'd love a 5D, but just a bit out of my price range at the moment. Someday...

Anyone have any examples or links to good wedding photogs that are 30/20D shooters?

jwtex wrote in post #2933283
Anyone have any examples or links to good wedding photogs that are 30/20D shooters?

Tim for example uses 2 20D, same Song4themoon. Cyberpet has 2 350s.

Regarding the 16-35 instead of the 17-55IS. If you move to FF, sell it, but for the crop factor 1.6 the 17-55 will cover the most cases and you needn't switch lens / camera. The IS allows you longer times in low light conditions, the 16-35 doesn't support (handheld).
The 16-35 is not cheap either and if you really need that wide angle on FF, that's another question. Check the vignetting of it on FF too.

GertS wrote in post #2933613
Tim for example uses 2 20D, same Song4themoon. Cyberpet has 2 350s.

Regarding the 16-35 instead of the 17-55IS. If you move to FF, sell it, but for the crop factor 1.6 the 17-55 will cover the most cases and you needn't switch lens / camera. The IS allows you longer times in low light conditions, the 16-35 doesn't support (handheld).
The 16-35 is not cheap either and if you really need that wide angle on FF, that's another question. Check the vignetting of it on FF too.

Lloyd (picturecrazy) does too doesn't he?

just did the research on the 16-35 and there does seem to be a lot of vignetting on the 5D with that lens. man oh man......what to do.

if you are doing paid work, you need more than 1 camera. Period.
it can be a cheep used body, but it has to be there. The same goes for an extra flash too.


the 5d is great, but glass is mroe important. Or you can find a steal on a used 5d

dragnfly1996 wrote in post #2933646
Lloyd (picturecrazy) does too doesn't he?

Yes, he has a 30D and a 20D, just checked it. But there are quite a number with 20Ds and / or 30Ds.

The names came up my mind immediately, it was not letting anybody down.

Honestly, I prefer my 1D Mark II over my 5D, resolution is fine for most cases. I use the 5D mainly as low light camera with the 50 1.4, at 1600 ISO with no flash, which is great.

Regarding backup, you need it. Keep in mind that bodies lose value much quicker than lenses, you will use a good lens quite long.

coreypolis wrote in post #2933674
if you are doing paid work, you need more than 1 camera. Period.
it can be a cheep used body, but it has to be there. The same goes for an extra flash too.

the 5d is great, but glass is mroe important. Or you can find a steal on a used 5d

Won't be doing any paid work for a while. Like I said I just want build a portfolio over the next 6-9 months. Then I will jump into and purchase back-ups, etc. I just want to make sure that I'm buyng the best equipment for my portfolio.

Ok, let me ask another question. If you had to choose ONE lens which would it be? 24-70 or 70-2002.8 IS?

jwtex wrote in post #2935806
Ok, let me ask another question. If you had to choose ONE lens which would it be? 24-70 or 70-2002.8 IS?

I guess 24-70, although it's not wide enough on a crop body, nor nearly long enough on a FF body (or a crop body, for that matter). Sorry, but I think the 30D, 17-55IS and 70-200 2.8IS, with a 580EX is a great start.