Price/best quality option?

[stgricera]

I now just have a simple Kodak ZD710. I love this camera and its quite small and simple, a great choice i think to learn on. I have been asked however to shoot at a wedding next summer and now have to look into buying a better camera, what are your opinions and what should i expect for prices?
Thanks
Sarah

[windrider86]

I mostly shoot with an Olympus E-500. I spent about $700 on the camera and two lenses that came with it. I did quite abit of research prior to making my purchase and have been very very happy with mine

[LensBaby]

Go to a camera store, and check out cameras in your price range, and then hold them in your hands, and play around with them. Find out what the controls feel like. It all depends on your hands, because if you get a camera that is uncomfortable then you will hate it on the wedding day.

[dkippen]

Sarah - do your research and like Sue said, go to a camera shop and try them out. Another option is to rent a camera you might be interested. Check with your local camera shops to see if they rent cameras and lenses as this would help narrow your search. Figure out what features you want. Also consider that with DSLR, you will also need lenses which could cost more than the camera itself. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer.

[coffee]

If you are looking at Canon, the 40D is an enrty level pro camera. These go for around 1k these days. You can pick up XT's dirt cheap and they are also fine cameras. But like Deb and Sue have said, rent a few if you can and try them out.

[jerryph]

Camera choice is always very personal. A lot of people like the Canon line, some the Nikon. Honestly, I feel that either one is very good. Take the time to play and feel the cameras that interest you, as feel is a big part of the experience. I tried the Canons and they did not feel right in my hands, however the moment I picked up my D200, it was as if someone made that camera ergonomically just for me. Try different models too... smaller and larger ones. Find what is good for you.

As for weddings, there is a lot more equipment and (more importantly), skill needed to do it right. More than most beginners are aware of. Weddings are the HARDEST and MOST challenging scenario that a photographer can face. I've had the chance to shoot 4 weddings now as a 2nd shooter with a professional, and let me tell you, when done right, a photographer works very hard.

Next year is time enough for you to get the basics down, but if you want an idea of what is needed to shoot a wedding, check THIS (http://jerryphpics.blogspot.com/2008/06/000-intro-to-weddings-for-beginners.html) out, its a small project that I am working on when time permits. :)

[LensBaby]

As far as shooting the wedding, I have shot two wedding on my own, and my photos turned out better than our "professional" photos. My wedding photos are in the attic, and I must tell you they are horrid! But on the same note....weddings are very, very difficult to shoot. I only shot mine, because the family had very little money, and could not afford a photographer. I ended up giving them over 400 photos in all, a album, and a really nice framed photo. They were so happy with those photos, and when the family saw them, I got another wedding out of it. I also, told them that I did not want to do it, because I just started out in school for photography, and they did not care. They liked my technique and my final product. My son is getting married in October, and the photographer that he has picked out is not to my liking. I think their "pro" photos are horrible.

[jerryph]

There are many horror stories out there of "pro" photographers who do nothing short of terrible shots. Where do these people come from? Are they not being honest about their experience, or what?

IMHO, Sue, you likely have many of the tools that a wedding photographer needs already, and you just need to expand on them and practice and grow them to a level you feel is acceptable.

As for your son... heck, I think it is important that you help him out and find someone suited to his budget that is nothing short of phenomenal, there are MANY out there!! You being a photographer have a distinct advantage, and your son will hopefully avail himself of your level of expertise. :)