FunkyBuddha
Tuned by Slick Nick
- :
- 2003 Spicy Orange MSP
So I'm looking to upgrade my equipment and get into the photography business on the side of my regular job. In fact, today is my first engagement photo shoot!
Honestly, I only have a Canon Rebel XS 1000D, kit lens, and 50mm f1.8 (and a crappy Tamron 70-300 that doesn't work half the time). I feel that I have tapped out the quality of this equipment. Sure, it's the photographer and not the equipment that produces stunning photos, but you can only do so much when clients will expect perfection!
So I'm looking at new bodies and lenses. I have some questions about bodies...
The Canon Rebel t4i is very intriguing to me. Video capabilities, touchscreen, etc. But I want a camera body that can shoot in low light with as little noise as possible. So I'm also looking at the 60D, 7D, and 5D Mark II. I am on a tight budget (I would like all of my pro equipment to cost me under $2000--wishlist coming later). Buying used is no issue... I understand it is crop sensor, but how can the newer technology in the t4i not be comparable to some of the "better" old models out there?
My wishlist to start doing wedding photography, senior portraits, etc.
Canon t4i (or 60D, 7D, or maybe 5D Mark II)
Tamron AF 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF)
Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F/2.8
Speedlight
My current 50mm f1.8
I just don't want to buy the t4i and it still not be good enough for semi-professionalism. I'm not looking to win any awards, but would like a professional setup! Thanks for the help, I figured I'd ask my questions here first so I don't get my head bitten off my professional photographers on forums who have $10,000 in equipment...
To sum it all up, I wouldn't purchase a 5 year old supercomputer when a brand new basic dell has the same specs for cheaper... does that make sense?
Well...I'd go w/ the 5D Mark II right now. Don't bother with the crop sensors if you're gonna start doing this professionally. I used to shoot with crop sensors all the time but the level of detail between the crop and the full frame sensor is just a big difference. Even the 7D doesn't compare in the level of detail. The pictures just look so different and more alive. The high iso capabilities are also pretty damn good compared to the 7D. The downside between the 5Dmk2 and the 7D is the speed. The 7D autofocus and speed trumps the 5Dmk2, but you get used to it. You're coming from a Rebel and jumping to a 7D or the 5D. You'll notice a huge jump in performance. I shoot bboy competitions with my mk2 and 7D but I still prefer the mk2's picture quality. Since all of my lenses are L series anyways, they get to take advantage of the full frame sensor and you get some killer depth of field.
If you're not partial to Canon, you can also look at used Nikon D700.
As for lenses, think of them as an investment. You drop the dough now, and your future gigs will help to pay them off later. So you might want to increase that budget and invest in some decent glass. You can keep using the 50mm 1.8. It's actually made for a full frame sensor. Get yourself a 17-40L or a 24-105L
and then a speedlight with a diffuser, and you'll be set for a long time.