Wedding Camera Digital

[PaulJoseph]

I am looking into updating into Digital for Photography Weddings. I've been considering the Canon or Nikon line. Does anyone have any suggestions. I will need to make up to 12x18

[David_Willoughby]

Most all in the Nikon or Canon Line from the last few years will be fine....Nikon D1, D1x, D1h, D2x and D2H, along with D100 and D70 they should all make good 12 by 18's the last two are the advanced amateur cameras but still very capable and will take any Nikon lens made (I think). They are in order of release, and the x models are the higher resolutions while the h models are geared for speed. Personally I am a Canon shooter and any of Canon's Dslr's will make good 12 x 18's from the D30, D60 10D(this I have and have made 20 x 30's without a problem), 20D, 1D 1Dmark2, 1DS and 1DS mark2, again they are listed in order of release or amateur to pro....also there is the advanced consumer/amateur models...the Digital Rebel 1 and Digital Rebel2. the 1ds and 1dsMark 2 are quite expensive but yeild results that rival medium and large format film...excellent quality! On a Pro level the 1Dmark2 is probably the best quality to dollar spent.....but still about $4500...but I have heard that people have made excellent enlargements with a 3mp D30 and they go for around $500 used or less...

[TerryZorich]

I'm a Canon user, and could recommend a 20D, 1DMkII or 1DsMkII. Any of the three can do the job. General consensus is that images from the 20D and 1DMkII are very close in quality. Obviously, with twice the pixels, the 1DsMkII should be much better, but it's also quite expensive (I realize that wasn't your question).

I'm not a huge fan of the Canon Speedlites because of their tendency towards underexposure. Last year I bought a Quantum Qflash T4D and am very happy with the exposures and the look of my flash pictures as compared to what I get with my 550's.

One reason to consider the 20D is its light weight in comparison to the 1 series.


I have not used Nikon much. Last year I needed a third camera for a weekend, and I actually purchased a D70 kit (and kept it for a week or so before selling it to a co-worker). I didn't like the ergonomics or the overall "feel" of the camera all that much, but I was impressed with the images. Even the "kit lens" seemed excellent, although I'd want a 2.8 version. I have the impression that Nikon's flash system is a little better automated and should consistently provide well-exposed flash images. If you'd prefer to use the (camera) manufacturer's flash products, you might want to look harder at Nikon. I would consider a D70 and an SB800 as a viable and inexpensive way to "test the waters" in using digital equipment at a wedding.

[Les_Pattison]

Hi Paul, good luck with the new start.
I'm putting myself in the same situation. I did weddings ages ago but with my work now, I have got by with a lesser model. I'm thinking of getting back to weddings with a 1d2 & as much quality glass as I can afford.

My question is towards flash & I had hoped the 580 would be good enough, but the local consensus isn't very reassuring. I did like the compactness, but I would prefer consistent quality pictures. The last advice I latched onto was "Big Soft light".

Terry, you recommended the Quantum Qflash T4D & now I'm off to search the forum with this, but are you able to add anything about your experiences with this?
Or anyone?

Also, as a side note, what is better - a diffused screen on the flash or a bounce card?

Cheers, Les