Best for the job starting out

Hello Fellow Nikonites,

My creativeness as a photographer has attracted the attention of people asking me if I do wedding photography. At first I wanted nothing to do with wedding photography - I didn't want the responsibility of getting that "perfect picture for Mrs Bridezilla". However, after being asked repeatedly and a change of interest I've decided to go ahead and give it my best. However, my projects had been achieved with a simple point and shoot camera. I do have experience with using a SLR as well. I just don't own one.


I write today to ask what you all would say in the way of choosing a starter camera "I'm on a budget" that would be good for wedding photography. I have been reading a lot on FX vs DX, what are your thoughts on that? What kinds of lenses? I read a lot that having the skill to actually take the photos is much more valuable than what camera you use. However, surely the camera will be a big part of that, right? LOL Where would you suggest getting a starter camera? Renting? Pawn Shops? What kind of camera? D300? Would the new D3200 work for most wedding photography needs? What is better pixel count or lens value?

Thank you so much for your input and helpful hints.

Regards,

WendyR

I think the D3200 would be ideal. Lightweight. High pixel count. Has all the bells and whistles you need. Inexpensive. The D5100 is now a super bargain, and again, more than enough for good wedding shots.

The kit lens should be more than enough for wedding needs. Additional lens might be a nice portrait lens.

Factory refurbished cameras and lenses have been good for me and are excellent values.

Good luck.

If you're only going to do this occasionally and not make a lifelong career of it, I too would suggest either the DX D3200 or when it arrives in the USA the D5200 with a Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens.

If you're going to make a lifelong career of it I would suggest to start with the FX D600 with something like the Nikon 24-85mm f/2.8-4.0D IF AF Zoom Nikkor Lens.

Just my $ .02 cents!

Bill K.
in Fla.

Welcome back, Wendy. Long time no see!

I can't tell you how many weddings I've done with just an 18-55, an 18-105, and a 55-300 lens. I've never had a complaint over any of my wedding shoots. Proper lighting, good composition and good backgrounds, along with good post production make or break good photos. There's also the factor of the photographer behind the lens.

If you're going to do this on a regular basis, sure, get the D300. Awesome camera. If this is just the odd time thing, then I would opt for the D3200, absolutely.

Price wise, (in the UK anyway), the D5100 is cheaper than the D3200, and IMO I'd go for the D5100 over the D3200 for long term investment whether you stick with wedding photography or not.

SS381 said:

Price wise, (in the UK anyway), the D5100 is cheaper than the D3200, and IMO I'd go for the D5100 over the D3200 for long term investment whether you stick with wedding photography or not.

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Yup, I'll agree with ya there, Sam.

If you want to stay in dx, D7000 for size/sensor and controls. You will not have time for the menu surfing involved with menu driven models. Having controls at your finger tips without taking your eye off the subject is important.

Thank you all for the responses. I really appreciate the helpful suggestions. I'm hoping to purchase a good SLR by the end of the year. I have already been asked to shoot a wedding in December. However, I'm biting my nails because I don't even have a camera yet. (I've done all my work with a Nikon Coolpix S8100) I've been told that if I can't do what I do with a compact camera then I'd be a star with a SLR. I'm so nervous!! I was hoping to rent a camera here in Colorado but I'm not having any such luck finding a place.

Any suggestions on how to borrow a camera? Renting one??

Flash: What type of flash is recommended for wedding shots?

During the learning transition of how to use the camera, using the auto mode, would it keep you in the safe zone?

@fotojack/Jack- Thanks for the welcome back bit. I feel so loved. I have indeed missed my Nikon friends. I did finally finish school now it's work and daily life pulling me in a million directions.


Again, Thank you all for the help.

I have never shot a wedding, but I'd like to put my $.02 in. I would avoid a flash at all costs. If you need it in a dark reception hall, that's one thing. But when shooting the wedding no one is going to want to see the flash going off all the time. And when doing the portraits/group shots find a well lit area or at minimum pick up some cheap clamp lights from Walmart.

Just my opinion, but I hate harsh shadows. They will ruin a picture.

Wow! Sounds like you're getting some great advice. - I have had a nice play on the D7000 and D5100, the D5100 is cheaper and has a nice swivel/fold out screen (I see the attraction in street photography or qwuirky snaps). The D7000 is large, has better focusing and of course 'finger tip' controls (well suited to fast paced photographers, would need to know it like the back of your hand though). Both are DX, both come with a good stock lens. - both have an on camera flash, but I've not tried these.

Best of luck! I hope you find the right camera & equipment that suites you and the shoot is a success!

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

disciplerocks said:

I have never shot a wedding, but I'd like to put my $.02 in. I would avoid a flash at all costs. If you need it in a dark reception hall, that's one thing. But when shooting the wedding no one is going to want to see the flash going off all the time. And when doing the portraits/group shots find a well lit area or at minimum pick up some cheap clamp lights from Walmart.

Just my opinion, but I hate harsh shadows. They will ruin a picture.

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I sincerely disagree. I've shot hundreds of weddings and never had anyone complain about the flash. It is a necessity. It produces a much better light than the available light and will stop movement. For the harsh shadow you are talking about, the thing is that you must take the flash away from the camera. Either at arm's length or on a bracket. It then changes the light and will give nice depth to the facial features.
I would NEVER go and try to shoot a wedding without a good flash and a second one with slave is even better.

Just my opinion too.

Like I said, just my opinion. But the photographer at my wedding used the pop up flash for all the indoor portraits. I really did not like the results. I only use a flash if I have to.

I've never done (professional) wedding photography, but IMHO a flash is a must, if for nothing else then a little bounce off a ceiling or other large surface.
I think with weddings these days, people expect a multitude of flashes to be firing with the advent of pocket cameras, smart phones etc etc.

If you can afford it, something like a SB-700 will be sufficient I would imagine, anything extra is of course dependent on whether you intend to take this on as a long term thing.

I'm going to go in a slightly different direction and advise you to buy a camera that is much more advanced than you currently need. The 3200 will be fine for the moment but if you're the creative sort, in a very short while you'll easily out run this camera and will be wishing you have something more advanced. That said, I suggest you invest in either a D600 or D800 and if in your range a D4. These cameras will not only do the job you're looking to do today but will carry you thru to bigger and better things further down the road. And not only do these cameras offer a wide array of possibilities, they also have the greatest dynamic range due to the bigger photo sensor. In addition, the color rendition on these larger sensors is second to none. But this is only if you can afford such an investment.

invest in a flash that allows directional bounce control, and then invest a few more bucks for a soft box around the flash,, then use the flash in the right conditions and the lighting can be vastly improved.

remember, Lighting, composition, and then, well..... interest.

disciplerocks said:

Like I said, just my opinion. But the photographer at my wedding used the pop up flash for all the indoor portraits. I really did not like the results. I only use a flash if I have to.

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Ah, now I understand what you meant. There is a huge difference in light quality between the pop-up flash and a good flash that is held at some distance from the camera.

I totally agree that the pop-up flash is not suitable for wedding pics if you want to be in business for more than one job.

I've done a few weddings in my time, too, and a lot of them were outdoors. A flash can even be used outdoors if you know what you're doing. And the SB700 is the ideal flash to do it with.....on or off the camera.

Dave_W said:

I suggest you invest in either a D600 or D800 and if in your range a D4.

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Good choices of camera for future proofing, but Wendy did mention in the OP "on a budget" and these bodies are 5-6x the price of a 'budget' D3200 for example.

It does though as you said come to down to how you see yourself evolving in this, as a larger investment now can save you the pennies later.

I have no advice to offer, but here is a ton of google results --> https://www.google.com/search?q=wed...sugexp=chrome,mod=11&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Hi Everyone!

So after doing some research and going with what was in my budget I found a D5000 on Craigslist. Boy do I have a lot to learn. It's been years since I've had an SLR and I've forgotten just how much you have control when taking pictures.

Does anyone have suggestions on settings? What settings did you use most often when taking photos for weddings? Do you focus more on aperture or ISO? Use the MASP settings or use the preset settings?

Any websites, tutorials, or cheat sheets/notes please share.

Thank you so much.

Wendy