Canon DSLR Choice Help

[monie2078]

I've recently decided to take my hobby of photography to the next level by maybe using it to supplement my income as a wedding photographer/portrait taker. I'm not a very technical person by any means, but I do know that I love the art of photography with a passion, and I'm willing to learn to get better.

Here's my predicament... To take this next step, I need to figure out what kind of camera + lens to purchase. I currently have and use a Canon Rebel Xti, but would like to make the transition to one of the following: Canon 40d, Canon 50d, or Canon 5D Mark II. For lens, I'm hoping to start with maybe the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS or Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens, Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens, and eventually, hopefully the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens.

Unfortunately, I don't know much about ANY of these lenses. I've garnered all my information on them from reviews on websites, and still have no idea which one is used for what, which one I'd HAVE to own for what I'm trying to do, or which is just the 'extra'...

Can anyone help please? Can you recommend what to start with and grow from? Unfortunately, I can't afford to spend too much money just yet. I believe that I can afford one really good camera (one of those mentioned above), and maybe one or two great lenses. Which is why I'm as confused as I am.

As I'm transitioning from the Rebel, do I go with something less professional than the Mark II to start, or as my budget can allow for it now, purchase the Mark II, and educate myself as I use it? Same with the lenses...

Thank you much for reading through and responding...!

[inkista]

Hold up and see what this month brings in terms of camera body announcements. A 60D may be arriving. There's also the 7D between the 5DMkII and the xxD lines.

Personally, I think it may be a wee bit early to think of going pro, if you don't know enough about lenses to know what it is you want. I would also recommend staying away form the 18-200-ish superzooms--while they're wicked nice for the framing convenience, the big tradeoff is image quality. They're generally at about the same image quality level as an 18-55 kit lens. You want something a bit better if you're going pro and selling big prints. The superzooms are more for those times you can only carry one lens with you (say, if you're backpacking around the world).

I'd recommend starting out by reading this basic lens primer. That should help you out in terms of which lens is good for what. Pay particular attention to the section on maximum aperture.

I'd say, if you don't have one, get the 50mm f/1.8 II (at $100, you're not wasting a lot if you don't like it), and see if you like shooting with fast primes, but hold off on other gear purchases until you're a bit surer of just what it is you want and are willing to pay for.

[hibou]

I currently have and use a Canon Rebel Xti, but would like to make the transition to one of the following: Canon 40d, Canon 50d, or Canon 5D Mark II. For lens, I'm hoping to start with maybe the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS or Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens, Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens, and eventually, hopefully the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens.

This mix of possibilities doesn't make much sense to me. inkista made a good point about the inferior image quality of the superzoom lenses; also consider that you can't use EF-S lenses on the 5DMkII. If you think that eventually you'll want to go full frame... save up for the good EF glass first, because your savings on buying cheaper EF-S lenses will be flushed down the toilet when they become useless.

I totally agree that you should get the 50 mm 1.8 and see how that goes, especially if I'm right in assuming that your only lens currently is the 18-55 kit that came with the Xti.

You should consider what it is that you find lacking in your current camera before you make a new body purchase. Maybe get a used 40D, or a 50D... and save your pennies because the 5DMkIII is coming sooner than later

[marcfrye]

Originally Posted by monie2078

I've recently decided to take my hobby of photography to the next level by maybe using it to supplement my income as a wedding photographer/portrait taker. I'm not a very technical person by any means, but I do know that I love the art of photography with a passion, and I'm willing to learn to get better.

Here's my predicament... To take this next step, I need to figure out what kind of camera + lens to purchase. I currently have and use a Canon Rebel Xti, but would like to make the transition to one of the following: Canon 40d, Canon 50d, or Canon 5D Mark II. For lens, I'm hoping to start with maybe the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS or Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens, Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens, and eventually, hopefully the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens.

Unfortunately, I don't know much about ANY of these lenses. I've garnered all my information on them from reviews on websites, and still have no idea which one is used for what, which one I'd HAVE to own for what I'm trying to do, or which is just the 'extra'...

Can anyone help please? Can you recommend what to start with and grow from? Unfortunately, I can't afford to spend too much money just yet. I believe that I can afford one really good camera (one of those mentioned above), and maybe one or two great lenses. Which is why I'm as confused as I am.

As I'm transitioning from the Rebel, do I go with something less professional than the Mark II to start, or as my budget can allow for it now, purchase the Mark II, and educate myself as I use it? Same with the lenses...

Thank you much for reading through and responding...!

I shoot with the 5D Mark II and love it! Full frame will help with those wide wedding group shots. The camera is not difficult to learn at all. That being said. If you are on a limited budget, invest in the glass. The only problem with using a consumer camera is pixel size for relay big enlargements. Also perception. If your a pro, charging pro prices, and your using the same equipment that I bought my 16 year old son to use... Well, you may have a perception problem. I would buy EF lenses (L when you have a bigger budget) a fast 50 and a good 28-200. You can get some great lens deals on e bay.

[bearly]

also if you do go for the 5DMk2 canon's EF-S lenses won't work... they only fit on the crop sensor bodies