Video University: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers: choices??? which camera...what accessories??

VideoUniversity.com
Home	Free Library	Store
Free Catalog Please support VU by making your B&H purchases and links through this B&H ad. Doesn't cost a penny more.

See The New VU Postcard Catalog

To post in the forums see the Forum Guidelines.

Join or Renew Today.
New Benefits for all VU Members

Forum Guidelines and FAQ
Main Index	Search Posts
Who's Online	Log In

Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
choices??? which camera...what accessories??

Bauerjoe
User

Oct 18, 2007, 2:20 PM

Post #1 of 12 (1002 views)
Shortcut

choices??? which camera...what accessories??	Can't Post

I'm still working on adding photography to my services. I've found a local photographer who is willing to let me work with him to gain some experience. I'd like some input on the two cameras that I've narrowed my search to and some suggestions for flash and what other accessories I might need>
Camera 1- EOS 40D, 10.1 Megapixel, Interchangeable Lens SLR Digital Camera with Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Autofocus Lens

Camera 2- D200, 10.2 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera with Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Thanks for your help
Joe
Joe Bauer

Yesterdays Memories Films
artistic cinematography

Postal Boy
Veteran

Oct 18, 2007, 3:03 PM

Post #2 of 12 (993 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Bauerjoe] choices??? which camera...what accessories?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Have you had your hands on either? The cameras are comparable...the "feel" is probably just as important when comparing the two. Some will swear by canon, some by nikon.

Historically, the canon is better in lower light situations, and the 40d has VERY good reports of low noise at high ISO (I consistently see comparisons of 3200 ISO on the 40d being about the same as 800 ISO on the 20d/30d...and 800 ISO ain't bad on them)

Nikon has improved noise in its latest models, but I don't know if that includes the model you referred to. I don't have nikon experience, though.

Not much help, but maybe a little info for you.

-Postal

Sparky
Veteran

Oct 18, 2007, 3:12 PM

Post #3 of 12 (993 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Bauerjoe] choices??? which camera...what accessories?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Joe ... If you go with Canon I would purchase the body of the 40D and not include the kit lens. I realize that you may need to save some cash, but keep this in mind. When you're zooming in from the back of the church, 5.6 aperture will not be near as fast as what you need. You might as well draw stick figures with chalk. Wink

I would go with the Tamron 28-75. That lens will get you by for almost the entire day and for the price is a darned good lens. If you wanted something a little longer then look at the Canon 85mm 1.8. Another nice lens is the Sigma 70-200. It's not an IS lens, but is 2.8. But I had one prior to the Canon and it's a very nice lens. The Sigma and Tamron would be all you would need for quite a while.

Sorry ... Can't help you with the Nikon.

Bauerjoe
User

Oct 18, 2007, 4:43 PM

Post #4 of 12 (984 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Postal Boy] choices??? which camera...what accessories?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've tried the Canon and like it. (It's the camera the photog friend of mine has) I wanted some feedback on the Nikon because I've worked with quite a few photogs who are using the D200 right now.
Thanks for your help...I kinda guessed that the two cameras were comparable.
Joe
Joe Bauer

Yesterdays Memories Films
artistic cinematography

Bauerjoe
User

Oct 18, 2007, 4:46 PM

Post #5 of 12 (983 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Sparky] choices??? which camera...what accessories?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for your comments on the lenses. I'm still kinda in the dark on what all those numbers mean!!! I'll order the camera body and check out those lenses. What flash do you use?

Joe
Joe Bauer

Yesterdays Memories Films
artistic cinematography

Sparky
Veteran

Oct 18, 2007, 6:19 PM

Post #6 of 12 (979 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Bauerjoe] choices??? which camera...what accessories?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have a 550 and 2 - 580s. I have the older versions of the 580 ... not the new 580II???? Not sure of the number. Anyway ... I've not heard anything about the newer version 580 that would lead me to get one.

If you know nothing about aperture settings please note that you will want a lens that can remain constant through the zoom at least at 2.8 to allow enough light. Most of us cannot shoot with flash during a service.

In my opinion only ... you'll be throwing your money away with the kit lens as you will soon realize that you can't shoot a ceremony with it.

Brackish
Veteran

Oct 18, 2007, 6:57 PM

Post #7 of 12 (973 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Postal Boy] choices??? which camera...what accessories?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

the 40d has VERY good reports of low noise at high ISO (I consistently see comparisons of 3200 ISO on the 40d being about the same as 800 ISO on the 20d/30d...and 800 ISO ain't bad on them

Not what I've heard. I've heard the 40D is actually a bit more
noisy than the 20D/30D.

----------------------------------------------
"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."

WLR
User

Oct 29, 2007, 10:42 PM

Post #8 of 12 (863 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Brackish] choices??? which camera...what accessories?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Nah, it really isn't. Just sounds different, alot more "solid" sound.
Played with one at the photo show in NYC a couple weeks ago.

Friends don't let friends shoot jpeg.

Brackish
Veteran

Oct 29, 2007, 11:19 PM

Post #9 of 12 (859 views)
Shortcut

Re: [WLR] choices??? which camera...what accessories?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Nah, it really isn't. Just sounds different, alot more "solid" sound.
Played with one at the photo show in NYC a couple weeks ago.

Hey, WLR! Haven't seen you around in a while. Where you been?

Regarding "noise" ... I thought we were talking about grain here
rather than the sound of the cam.

----------------------------------------------
"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."

Bauerjoe
User

Nov 1, 2007, 6:32 AM

Post #10 of 12 (812 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Sparky] choices??? which camera...what accessories?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm not totally in the dark about settings. It's just that i come at it from a video background. I shoot manually on my PD170 most of the time, and aperture adjustments are no problem. I just didn't understand what the aperture number on the photo lens indicated. The photog i will be working with said it indicates the largest aperture possible with that lens. I'm getting the tamron 28-75/2.8 . My photog buddy says that a more wide angle lens will also be necessary for weddings, say a 17-28. Is that the case? Also, how do you tell a higher quality lens from a poorer one?..besides plastic versus metal. What should I look for?

Thanks for all your help. This is a whole new world for me!

Joe
Joe Bauer

Yesterdays Memories Films
artistic cinematography

Postal Boy
Veteran

Nov 1, 2007, 1:10 PM

Post #11 of 12 (799 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Bauerjoe] choices??? which camera...what accessories?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have the Tamron and get some really good images from it. As for needing wider, there are a few times when I want wider for when I am in tight quarters, but want more "surrounding" stuff. Granted, I haven't shot weddings yet (well, 2nd shooter on one) and mainly have been doing portraits, but the 28-75 has been all right so far. The Tamron 17-50 is supposed to be a really good lense, too, but it doesn't quite have the "reach" of the 75, but can let you get quite a bit closer I would think. If a wedding gets booked that I am working on right now (fingers crossed) for January I am going to rent a 2nd camera with the Canon 70-200 IS lense rather than buying one. I can rent it for a week for $60 rather than spend $1800 on it. I may do that (Rusty seems to be doing OK renting gear, too) for a while until I can actually EARN enough to pay for backup equipment. I just plan on adding the cost of equipment rental to the package price.

-Postal

Laura K
Veteran

Nov 5, 2007, 10:04 PM

Post #12 of 12 (747 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Bauerjoe] choices??? which camera...what accessories?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I can tell you this, make sure you can handle the camera and accessories.
I picked up a D1X one time and almost died. It's way heavier than my D70s.
L
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE
Get affiliated!

"... it seems that if you're passionate about something, it freaks people out. You're considered bizarre or eccentric. To me, it just means you know who you are." - director Tim Burton

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.