 Tammy L. Newcomb |
Wedding Photography: What Camera? I am curious! What kind of camera do wedding photographers use when shooting on location?
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Kevin Moss |
Tammy, I am an instructor here at BetterPhoto, and I would love to answer your question. I have shot many weddings, and I have to tell you, I recommend 100% professionalism when working with clients. That said, I recommend that you shoot with professional-level gear. The durability and quality is demanded by your clients. If you shoot Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax, or one of the other popular manufacturers, I recommend that you first purchase a professional-grade camera, like the Nikon D300 or the Canon 40D as a minimum. Additionally, I recommend the best-quality flashes you can afford. Canon's 580 Speedlight and Nikon's SB800 would be great choices, depending on the camera brand you choose. Good Luck!
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Robyn Gwilt |
Canon 30D with a 350D for backup - Canon L lenses. 24-105 and 70-200. Canon 580 EX flash.
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Christopher A. Walrath |
Mamiya M645j w/ 45, 80 and 150mm Sekor-C lenses. Vivitar 280 flash.
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Ian Lozada |
As a working wedding photographer, I can tell you that the majority of my colleagues and I are using high end Canon or Nikon equipment. Prosumer level DSLR's like the Canon 40D and Nikon D200 are used mainly as backups, with most of us preferring bodies like the Canon 5D and 1D Mark III or the new Nikon D3 as our main bodies. Lenses are generally top of the line as well. For those of us who are Canon shooters, you're looking at the L series zooms, 16-35, 24-70, 70-200 at f/2.8 but be forewarned that a lot of working pros have not liked the 24-70 lens specifically. Most of the people I know who won't touch that zoom have gone over to even faster primes, such as the 50mm f/1.2. Flashes tend to be top grade as well, as most of us use Canon or Nikon's best available flash of the moment. A number of people, however, are partial to portable studio lights like the Alien Bee B800 off camera for lighting difficult rooms. *** While medium format ruled in previous decades, it has fallen out of favor in recent times.
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Bruce A. Dart |
Tammy, I am a professional photographer who has been in business for 30 years and has photographed hundreds and hundreds of weddings. Professionalism is the key -- from start to finish. Your appearance on the job, the gear you use, the results you produce, and the products you deliver -- including the packaging. And, if you charge for your work, you need to follow applicable laws and regulations for your state, such as a license to collect sales tax in my state of Pennsylvania. Then there is equipment. Professional level gear is a MUST. However, that does not mean that you have to have the most expensive gear on the market. It does mean that you have to have backup camera body, flash and perhaps an extra lens, and batteries in case something quits working at the wrong time. You have to be familiar with your equipment and be able to use it quickly, if needed, without fumbling with controls on the camera. For me, that mean having two camera bodies the same. I can't be taking extra time to adjust controls that are different from camera to camera when events are occurring. When buying ANY gear it is always wise to get the best you can afford and will anticipate using. You don't need overkill if you will never use it, that will just waste your money. While trends today lean toward natural photography with available light in a "photojournalism" style, that is more expensive than purchasing good flash equipment. Long lenses with wider apertures (f/2.8 for example) are pricey but a good investment if you are going to be in the business. Your flash has to be cable of relatively fast recycle times and capable of lighting up a large group (wedding parties and families). I use a Nikon D200, a pair of them to be precise, to operate my entire studio. While the D300 and D2X are wonderful, you can double the price of investment off the bat. A lot of pros shoot with Canon. It depends of what you like. The Mamiya 645J -- is a film camera. While it can be acquired easily now, it has not been manufactured for a long time. If it breaks, and eventually they all will, you will have trouble getting parts and getting it fixed. When you have jobs to shoot, you cannot afford to be in that position. I have used them for hundreds of weddings for years. Great gear. But my professional lab and the industry in general is geared to digital. If you want to get them and use them because you like them, go for it. But pick up at least an extra one, meaning you need at least three bodies -- two to take on assignment and one in reserve if something happens. Start, always, always, always, with fresh batteries. You cannot stop a wedding to switch when the bride is starting down the aisle!! Plan, be prepared, and keep smiling. Your day will go smoother, your customers will be happy and you will have more opportunities to be creative and do better work because of it. Good luck. If you would like to check out my work it is at www.photosbydart.com
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