What is the cheapest backup I can buy?

40D or 50D would be good.

PeaceFire wrote in post #11722431
Oh I completely agree with you and I didn't say the XS won't take professional grade pictures but that it doesn't LOOK professional. I'm just saying, if a couple is paying $2,000 and the photog, even the second, shows up with a Rebel line camera it really doesn't look professional. And appearance is everything in the beginning because the bride and groom can't see their pictures- just you. Some may actually notice.

Plus like Jamie said- what a pain it would be to have to buy a second set of cards just to use in the Rebel that will most likely be upgraded anyway if the wife really gets into it. I'd rather spend the money now rather than spend the money in a few more months when an upgrade is needed and then on top of that you have to re-invest in even more cards. So I guess if you must go Rebel, get an XTi.

Get a black one. Vanity issue solved.

I have used a 350D as a second shooter and the shots I was taking were mostly candids and were mostly B/W,taking the candids you need to blend in with the crowd.your not going to blend in so well with bigger bodied cameras.
peacefire why does it look un proffesional with a smaller camera.And a big plus to the small bodies you can pick them up for peanuts and put saved money towards glass.

cdifoto wrote in post #11723485
Get a black one. Vanity issue solved.

With a battery grip !

jamiewexler wrote in post #11723675
With a battery grip !

Ah yes. Can't forget that.

30-50D

there is a coupon code for an xsi (+ kit lens and gadget bag) refurbished through canon usa.
good deal for a pretty good camera

same coupon works for a 40D as well....

http://slickdeals.net/​permadeal/45661

wdwpsu wrote in post #11722018
And your clients and guests don't know the difference. Just Uncle Bob. And he's shooting his 5dii in auto with the pop-up flash, so good for him..

Just FYI, the 5dii doesn't have pop-up flash.

30/40/50D should do well if you want to keep cards consistent.

I've really never liked playing the "Make sure everyone sees you have an expensive camera" game. I use what I use, and the bride and groom always end up with great photos. What should it matter to them how I went about getting them? They hire you, presumably, on the strength of your portfolio, not what camera you use. Playing into that just validates the myth that all you need to be a good photographer is a fancy camera.

You'll never keep up with rich Uncle Bob anyway.

Exactly.

Downs Photography wrote in post #11715626
I am about to teach my wife to be my 2nd shooter. Is buying a canon xs for her decent enough for her to backup shoot with? Thx in advance.

I did the same thing. I do Indian/Pakistani weddings so sometimes I lose contracts due to not having an female photographer for the women only part of the Muslim weddings.

I figured rather than losing those, I'd teach my wife some of the fast tricks and setup everything for her and let her play around with the women only part of the receptions. I ended up buying her a Xsi and got her a 18-135 lens to play around with and get familiar with the camera. I didn't want her to play around w my 7D or 5D2 until she learned to control light on a simplier camera. I don't want her to cheat w/ the higher ISO capabilities just yet and want her to learn to control light with a simple camera in Manual mode.

Once she does well, I'm going to add her as a "free of charge" second shooter for the first couple weddings to get her feet wet. I would never want her to use the Xsi in those instances though, she'd probably get my second body 7D or might get her a 40D or a 50D to start. Unfortunately, as much as everyone hates to hear it, sometimes you are rated on what equipment you bring the wedding. As said previously, you'll always have Uncle Bob who just bought a 1Ds Mark 7 that hasn't been released yet, but you also want to portray yourself as a professional and unfortunately T1i or the like don't portray that even though we know the whole "Your camera takes nice pics" bugs the crap out of all of us. Just my .02 and I'm sure I'll get slammed for it

Glad to see you getting your wife involved. Good luck

just chuck a battery grip on that bad boy and you'll look the pro part! as if most bride and grooms are gonna know the intricate differences between canon bodies, and even if they did get a look at the name on the camera (xs, 5d, 40d etc) i doubt they'd be bothered to remember and look it up

i suppose the thing i'd be working on most is teaching her how to shoot good wedding photos, my brother 2nd shot for me once with a nikon d70 and got some killer stuff out!

PMCphotography wrote in post #11729926
I've really never liked playing the "Make sure everyone sees you have an expensive camera" game. I use what I use, and the bride and groom always end up with great photos. What should it matter to them how I went about getting them? They hire you, presumably, on the strength of your portfolio, not what camera you use. Playing into that just validates the myth that all you need to be a good photographer is a fancy camera.

Yep. I have never had a couple ask me specific questions regarding my gear. 99% of the time, they won't care because they don't know what the difference is. They don't know the differences between my 30D w/Tamron attached compared to 5D+brick.

As mentioned above, Uncle Bob WILL ask you about your gear and he WILL show you his, claiming that it is "pretty good."