Which Camera should I get?
By sohapilee
@sohapilee (14)
Philippines
July 6, 2011 2:22am CST
I am a newbie in the field of photography. My best interest in this fields involves wedding photography and pre-wedding photography. They are basically the same thing. This might be because I am too much of a hopeless romantic, and I am seeing the world in a romantic light. Like it's some sort of a korean drama.
So now that I'm starting, I want to buy a DSLR. I know they vary, and I'm not sure exactly what to choose. Of course I need to consider my budget as well. I would be so happy to get Canon 5D, but that's a little too much over my budget. My budget is around $1000.00. I'm considering Nikon D90 but I'm not so sure about that either. I guess it's good enough, but I still would like to receive professional opinions. I especially like macro photpgraphy, aside from wedding photography.
So which camera suits my needs?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@FrugalMommy (1438)
• United States
6 Jul 11
The D90 is a great camera. I have one, and I'm totally in love with it! 
Are you going to start photographing weddings as a hobby, or are you hoping to become a professional? If you want to do it professionally, you really would need a full frame camera like the Nikon D700 or the Canon 5D MkII. The sensors in those cameras work better at high ISOs. You'll need that for indoor weddings where there's not a whole lot of light. And a full frame camera would give you a bigger selection of wide-angle lenses to work with too.
Don't forget to budget for lenses to go with your camera body! You really should pick up something like Nikon's AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED. It has a large maximum aperture and the zoom range is good for typical wedding shots. You could use a lens that comes packaged with a camera body, but the quality of those isn't really good enough for professional stuff.
Are you going to start photographing weddings as a hobby, or are you hoping to become a professional? If you want to do it professionally, you really would need a full frame camera like the Nikon D700 or the Canon 5D MkII. The sensors in those cameras work better at high ISOs. You'll need that for indoor weddings where there's not a whole lot of light. And a full frame camera would give you a bigger selection of wide-angle lenses to work with too.
Don't forget to budget for lenses to go with your camera body! You really should pick up something like Nikon's AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED. It has a large maximum aperture and the zoom range is good for typical wedding shots. You could use a lens that comes packaged with a camera body, but the quality of those isn't really good enough for professional stuff.@sohapilee (14)
• Philippines
6 Jul 11
Oh wow! I am so overwhelmed by your response! You really are a professional. I do want to start this as a hobby and then later move into the professional field. With regards to the prices of the canon 5D, as I said, it's out of my league. It's my camera of choice though and except for the lenses I've already checked it out! where is the best place/site to get this in perfect, brand-new quality at the most reasonable price? Any idea?
@FrugalMommy (1438)
• United States
6 Jul 11
Professional? Me? Oh, no! I'm just a very serious hobbyist right now! 
If you really, really want the Canon 5D, you do not want to start out with a Nikon camera. I don't know much about Canon's models, but you should start off with one of their less expensive models. It will use the same lenses as the 5D so you will not have to buy a whole new set when you upgrade.
I got my D90 from Amazon.com a few months ago. It was brand new and I think I saved around $200 by buying it there. I bought a lens and a light meter from Adorama, and I'm very pleased with their service.
I've bought all of my other equipment from local thrift stores. Everything they sell is donated, so it's very cheap. I just got a Nikon film SLR and a 28-80mm lens for the photography class I'm taking this fall for $20 at one of my favorite thrift stores. 
One place you don't want to buy from is AjRichard. I've heard very bad things about them, like this: http://mansurovs.com/ajrichard-beware-buying-camera-from-unauthorized-sellers 
If you really, really want the Canon 5D, you do not want to start out with a Nikon camera. I don't know much about Canon's models, but you should start off with one of their less expensive models. It will use the same lenses as the 5D so you will not have to buy a whole new set when you upgrade.
I got my D90 from Amazon.com a few months ago. It was brand new and I think I saved around $200 by buying it there. I bought a lens and a light meter from Adorama, and I'm very pleased with their service.
I've bought all of my other equipment from local thrift stores. Everything they sell is donated, so it's very cheap. I just got a Nikon film SLR and a 28-80mm lens for the photography class I'm taking this fall for $20 at one of my favorite thrift stores.
One place you don't want to buy from is AjRichard. I've heard very bad things about them, like this: http://mansurovs.com/ajrichard-beware-buying-camera-from-unauthorized-sellers 1 person likes this
@chipesterkhan (2925)
• Philippines
6 Jul 11
get the canon 1000d or 500d
they're more cost efficient than the 5d
i had a 1000d and i took some really good pictures with it
@Kazegatana (152)
• Indonesia
16 Jul 11
Hi Sohapilee, I am agree with D90, it less than $700 price range and you should find a good lens for weding and pre-wedding photography. I suggest a fix lens 50mm with maximum apperture 1.4, it very good for shooting model or pre-wedding. So you might have minimal two lens, one for wedding and the other one for pre-wedding. Hope you enjoy your photography session. :)
