what camera do you use for weddings...and why?

[craigsexton]

just looking for your input as to what camera system / model you use for weddings and why you chose it.

Craig

[joshranwest]

Nikon D200. Ease of use, light, smaller than my D2X. I have also been using the D200 for a while, and just love it.

LENS - 50mm f/1.4
LENS - 85mm f/1.8
LENS - 28-70mm f/2.8
LENS - 70-200mm f/2.8
Dynalite JackRabbit II battery pack (for external flash)

[Kiron Kid]

F100
N90s
FE-2
FE
FM

Kiron Kid

[heartseye]

Craig....I am SO tempted to go into this...but I won't. How could it possibly help you to know this?

[craigsexton]

heartseye, it doesn't help me at all. I was just simply curious to see what gear other people use for their wedding photography. It's not going to change what I use.

I probably should have done a poll however.

I currently use a:
5D with 28-75 f/2.8
30D with 70-200 f/4.0L.
430ex flash with flip-it pro
Metz 45cl4 wireless

I did recently buy a 1DmkII to try out at my next wedding to see how much better the AF really is. And I have to admit that I'm curious to see if people are using the mkI or mkII's more than the 5D. But all in all, just wanted to get a feel for the diversity out there.

Afterall, the camera's just the tool. The art comes from the photographer!

[heartseye]

Thanks for the reply, Craig......that's certainly my feeling too....cheers...Bob

[Mark McCall]

I remember asking other photographers what they use when I upgraded from 35mm to 645.
I think it's a valid question.

30D (because it's faster to navigate than my 1D)
30D & 20D backup
Metz 45CL-4
Metz 54Mz-3

Tamron 28-200 F3.8-5.6
Tokina 17-35 F2.8
Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS "L"
Peleng 8mm Fisheye
Sigma 12-24mm F4-5.6

Custom Bracket (modified in house)
Pocket Wizard transmitter/receiver
Red Wing Quick Stand light stand
Bogen tripod

[KellyL]

I appreciate reading this as well.

[james23p]

Digitial:
D80 with a D50 as a backup

When Film is requested:
FM3a and FE2

Wish list: I was hoping the Fuji S3 would come down more when the S5 came out but darn if it doesn't hold its value.

[MVB]

I use 2 Olympus E1s, 14-54mm Olympus lenses,& 40-150mm. I like them alot they give me what I want & they just feel right. One is mainly just as backup as I have not needed it yet.
Mitch

[m.b.]

Canon 5D - Because....

1. Full frame - no crop factor to worry about.
2. Easy to flip through the menus and settings.
3. I don't need the speed of the 1D series.
4. Smaller size than the 1D series.

[PavelOlavich]

5D is the best Wedding DSLR one can buy:

1. Full Frame - 12.8mp for a given framing/composition. Better enlargements.
2. A tad wider DR then all other Canon DSLR, save for the Mark III.
3. Virtually noise-free at ISO 1600 and faster when exposed well. The least noise AND most detail offered of any other DSLR save for the Mark III.
4. Lighter then the 1D series.
5. Cheaper then the 1DS Mark II by lots of $$, offers better IQ, but 5D offers less resolution. The 1DS Mark II provides better enlargements.

The Down Side:

The 5D's ergo's are not bad, but not remarkable either. In this regard, I dearly miss my 1D Mark II's.

[CyberPet]

One Canon 30D and two Canon 350D's plus a huge amount of lenses (don't like switching lenses, hence several cameras - will replace both 350D's eventually, for one more 30D or similar and a 5D or similar).

Reason? Uhm... great glass.

[PavelOlavich]

Originally Posted by CyberPet

One Canon 30D and two Canon 350D's plus a huge amount of lenses (don't like switching lenses, hence several cameras - will replace both 350D's eventually, for one more 30D or similar and a 5D or similar).

Reason? Uhm... great glass.

You've got the right priority. It's mostly about glass and less about the body.

[stan43]

All Canon:
5D Love the IQ, 20D backup, very reliable and good for tele shots/
35 1.4L, 85 1.2L, 135 2.0L, 17-40L. Because these deliver the colors and contrast I want.

[craigsexton]

Hi Stan. I've noticed that several like yourself use only or mostly prime lens. I've often thought about trying this myself. But I just can't get away for the L zooms. I'm just afraid to give up the variable reach as I'm often thinking primes would create more post processing. How do the primes stack up to the L zooms..I mean is there really that much difference in image quality, color and contrast?

Thanks for the reply also.

Craig

[Song4themoon]

I shoot with two Canon EOS 20D's

I like the ease of use of this camera, and the pricetag is on the affordable side. It is a great camera, ISO noise at 3200 isnt too bad and the fact that it lets you go to ISO 3200 is important to me.

[dafowl1]

Rebel XT it's all I can afford right now. I want a 5D. I use a EF 50mm 1.8 a canon EF 75mm - 300mm and a 24mm - 70mm 2.8 L and just got a 28mm - 135mm IS