On 22 Sep 2006 09:41:24 -0700, Scott W wrote:
>> I am an amateur photographer (35 mm) that is looking to take it more
>> seriously and learn and practice... to the point that I can take
>> quality protraits.... and in time... maybe even shoot weddings. I know
>> digital is the way to go these days...so my question is this....
>>
>> For good quality portrait enlargements up to say 11x14...
>>
>> How many megapixels should I expect to have to purchase? is 10 enough?
>> 16?
>> (is there anything else I may need to know about digital resolution?)
>>
>> Also.... is it reasonable to think I could use a digital SLR for
>> weddings and events?
>>
> I would worry more about low light performance then the number of
> pixels. I would think that the 5D would be just about perfect for
> wedding work, more then enough resolution and you can shoot in low
> light with out the need of a flash.
While the 5D is a very good camera, it is also quite expensive,
especially considering the lenses that might be added to the kit.
Your recommendation would be a good one, say, for a pro film
photographer looking to switch to digital or another type of pro
that's developing an interest in weddings. But here we have an
amateur that only says that in time, he'd "maybe even shoot
weddings". The OP should understand that wedding photographers
have successfully used (and are still using) lesser 6mp and 8mp
digital cameras, which can produce very high quality 11"x14" prints.
In fact, there are probably many wedding photographers that have
used or are still using 20Ds for their work. Know any?
Almost any current DSLR would do about everything the OP needs, as
his stated initial primary concern is learning and practicing.
Restricting the discussion to Canon and Nikon models, the now
obsolete Canon 350D and Nikon D70 would do everything he needs, even
producing very nice 11x14's, and would result in savings of from
many hundreds to thousands of dollars better spent on lenses and
lighting equipment (not just flashes). After a couple of years, the
OP would know quite well whether getting a newer, better camera
would be justified, and by then would probably know whether getting
the latest 10mp or 12mp camera would be a good idea, or whether
switching to a full frame model such as the 5D would be justified.
Even though the 5D doesn't require as much light as some other
models doesn't mean that the skilled use of lighting equipment
wouldn't improve many of the shots it could produce. I wouldn't
want the OP to think that a 5D requires no lighting assistance for
wedding photography, especially given that it's one of the DSLRs
that has no built-in flash. A good external Canon flash would
provide fill and bounce flash, which any serious amateur
photographer should be as familiar with as understanding the proper
use of White Balance as well as the advantages of shooting RAW.
With a couple of good lenses (preferably IS, right?) and lighting
equipment, the 5D would make a very nice training and learning
setup, but would cost thousands of dollars more than many other
DSLRs that would be just as effective for learning. And they'd also
be able to produce decent 11x14's even using inexpensive kit lenses
(if the worst ones are avoided).
>> Stay informed about: - Question: How many megapixels for portraits/wedding phot.. 
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