Take back or not?

[mom4scrapbooking]

I just bought the Nikon D5000 but I really had my heart set on a canon T2i but they are so expensive. They have a good deal right now on it at best buy which is where I purchased my Nikon D5000. I was told I have 14 days to return the camera I bought. Do I return it or keep it. Or upgrade to this model. I loved the Nikon cause it appeared easier to use and lighter. I haven't really used it much but I think I will love it. I am not sure if the canon will take a better picture. I think I settled due to money but maybe not so confused and need help!

 

[mom4scrapbooking]

Oh and to top it off my brother wants to photograph is wedding in 2 months. What do I do? I am learning the Nikon but I wish the pictures turn out better. Maybe it is because I haven't learned it yet or need a new lense? Maybe I should buy a new lense versus spending 300 more on the canon?

 

[VVFF]

Oh and to top it off my brother wants to photograph is wedding in 2 months. What do I do? I am learning the Nikon but I wish the pictures turn out better. Maybe it is because I haven't learned it yet or need a new lense? Maybe I should buy a new lense versus spending 300 more on the canon?

It's not the camera...I can tell you that. All DSLR's are capable of producing excellent pictures. The differences are really kinda minor in the grand scheme of things with the most important being that you enjoy using the one you buy.

I would highly recommend you do NOT photograph his wedding. The only exception to this is if he does not plan on hiring a photographer at all if you don't do it. You will not be able to match what a pro can do simply because you have an SLR.

 

[DVC Mike]

I have a Nikon D5000 and it takes fantastic pictures. I am very happy with it.

Why do you think you need to spend more money? Is there a particular feature or capability of the Canon T2i that the Nikon D5000 doesn't have that you must have?

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Both cameras are excellent cameras. In the real world, your going to get excellent images out of both. The quality is going to come down to the photographer. Are you planning on doing the wedding as the "official photographer" of the wedding? If so, start practicing, reading and get some advice on photographing weddings. Its a science in and of itself! I don't think I would ever accept that role. I would do some candids if asked, staying out of the way of the "pro". In the school events I've done, I have made it very clear that I am not a professional and they have been happy with that. Considering they were using a polaroid two years ago for their photos, anything I do is an improvement.

Good luck

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Don't forget about the restocking fee at Best Buy if you want to take it back. I think it's 10% but it may be 15.

Honestly the D5000 takes awesome pictures, it just takes some practice....better lenses can't hurt either!

 

[photo_chick]

Both cameras are capable of taking great shots.

If there is a feature you want that the T2i has that the Nikon does not, like HD video or the expanded ISO range, you might not be happy until you do it. But the different camera will not automatically make you take better pictures.

 

[disneyboy2003]

You've actually got a great camera. As I mentioned on your previous thread, the Nikon D5000 is actually a great camera. In fact, you should be able to get great pictures from *any* dSLR, regardless of brand.

Was there something about your Nikon's photos that was bad? Can you post some sample photos for us to see?

I have a feeling you'd get the exact same photos with the Canon T2i.

I probably wouldn't switch to Canon at this point. The ONLY reason I would switch would be for "peace of mind." However, that's *still* not going to give you better photos.

Also, I would *not* recommend you taking the wedding photographer job in 2 months. Your brother's wedding is a great time to test out the camera, but only as a guest...not as the official wedding photographer. You're at the very beginning of your learning curve in photography, and there's sooooooo much to learn. Unfortunately, owning a dSLR does not equal wedding photographer.

It's like asking a kid who just got his driver's license last week to drive a Greyhound bus cross country! Or asking a brand new medical student to perform brain surgery! Or...I'm sure there are better analogies than what I'm coming up with. (how about: you just bought a nice car, now it's time to learn how to drive)

Again, I would point you to the book Understanding Exposure, by Bryan Peterson. You need to learn the basics of photography, and this book explains things very well. It's highly recommended on this message board.

 

[mom4scrapbooking]

Thanks everyone! I decided to stick with the Nikon D5000. I loved it when I got it and I shouldn't feel that it won't take amazing pictures! I guess I felt like maybe I was missing something or short changed myself! In reality my gut bought that one for a reason! I am learning more and more about it everyday! As far as my brother I showed them a few pictures I have taken lately with my camera and he was happy with that! So that his his choice! Besides I could learn more in 2 months also! I learn more everyday I play with it and read the manual! I got photoshop element 8 today as recommend by dis board and will learn that too! It is all a process and if he is okay how they turn out than so am I. Right? Rome wasn't build in a day! Thanks so much for all your help! I can't wait to continue to play with my camera!

 

[Code]

Oh dear

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It helps to be confident in what you're buying. You have a great camera there. But you have to feel you made the right decision, otherwise you'll be saying "I should have gotten the Canon" for years to come. I take it you did your research beforehand, and you said you like the feel of it. Once you learn to use it, you'll get great pictures either way. One's not necessarily going to be better than the other just based on brand. It's more about you as the photographer.

As for the wedding, er, personally I wouldn't do it. Too much pressure there, and your inexperience (sorry to say) is going to be glaringly evident even after practicing for a couple of months. If there's no other option and your brother doesn't mind, then hey, you get what you pay for. But if he's expecting he's going to get good photos because you now have this "type" of camera, he might be somewhat disappointed. Good wedding photography is a very specific skill that takes years to hone. You also need to be prepared for any catastrophe that might happen since you only get one shot at it - most wedding photographers will have at least two camera bodies with them with different lenses mounted, etc. Church photos can be very difficult as well, etc.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[VVFF]

Thanks everyone! I decided to stick with the Nikon D5000. I loved it when I got it and I shouldn't feel that it won't take amazing pictures! I guess I felt like maybe I was missing something or short changed myself! In reality my gut bought that one for a reason! I am learning more and more about it everyday! As far as my brother I showed them a few pictures I have taken lately with my camera and he was happy with that! So that his his choice! Besides I could learn more in 2 months also! I learn more everyday I play with it and read the manual! I got photoshop element 8 today as recommend by dis board and will learn that too! It is all a process and if he is okay how they turn out than so am I. Right? Rome wasn't build in a day! Thanks so much for all your help! I can't wait to continue to play with my camera!

Whether you know it or not....you are misleading your brother. It's one thing to take some good pictures with a camera, its another to have to deal with all the things that occur during a wedding. Your current setup will work great outdoors or in very good light. You'll find that your camera won't work nearly as well indoors in a church. Help your brother...tell him to go hire a pro.

You don't have a flash, you don't have the necessary lenses, you don't have the posing experience, you don't have the experience with your camera.

I don't mean to sound harsh...but wedding pictures only can be taken once.

 

[photo_chick]

I tend to agree on the wedding thing. But really, only you can know if you're ready to do that. How many of your shots are keepers? I don't mean OK shots. I mean properly exposed, in focus, decently composed shots. If it's less than two thirds I definitely would not do a wedding. With one exception... if it's a very casual wedding and they are just having family and friends take snapshots.

Either way... make sure you talk with the bride and not the groom. She's the one who will be ticked if she doesn't get the pictures she expects. Men generally don't care much about those things but women... she's going to remember for a long time if she is unhappy with her wedding pictures.

 

[ukcatfan]

Whether you know it or not....you are misleading your brother. It's one thing to take some good pictures with a camera, its another to have to deal with all the things that occur during a wedding. Your current setup will work great outdoors or in very good light. You'll find that your camera won't work nearly as well indoors in a church. Help your brother...tell him to go hire a pro.

You don't have a flash, you don't have the necessary lenses, you don't have the posing experience, you don't have the experience with your camera.

I don't mean to sound harsh...but wedding pictures only can be taken once.

I am another that says do not do it!

 

[MICKEY88]

I agree with those who recommend not doing the wedding,
as mentioned, ighting can be very different in churches and reception halls, without a good external flash, and the expeience'skill to use it, you are setting yourself up for a bad situation, in addition, are you prepared to take control of the wedding as far as pictures go, you must be ready to nicely take control, setting up shots and dealing with relatives who also want to take pictures, nothing is worse than a wedding picture with the bridal party looking in 6 different directions, because they are all looking at different cameras.

in addition,, as the wedding photographer you can forget about enjoying the reception and spending time with family..other than during the meal, you should be up and taking pics of guests, cutting of the cake, first dance..etc..

 

[Gdad]

Congratulations on the new camera.

I'll just add another warning about the wedding thing- it's an extremely difficult undertaking. And don't don't be fooled into thinking "his choice" is a get-out-of-jail-free card if the pictures are not the best. When the dust settles nobody will remember anything except who messed up the pictures- ESPECIALLY your future sister-in-law.

 

[GrillMouster]

I found this on slickdeals.net:

"Sears[dot com] has Nikon d5000 /w 18-55 VR Lens & 55-200 VR Lens for $708 and $2 shipping or free store pick-up. Add both to cart to see the discounted price. Next lowest on Google Products for the camera is $640 and $210 for lens."

 

[klmall]

While I think I can take some decent landscape, outdoor photos and even an occasional macro recently I was showing a few colleagues at work my self-created photo calendar and someone got really excited and came up afterwards to ask me if I would do the photos for her brother's wedding this summer. She explained that it is a second wedding for both and they have no money and are having the ceremony outside in someone's garden and so on. They were going to do without any pictures otherwise. I still very nicely said "No".

I can't imagine doing a wedding at this stage of my inexperience!!! And what if the wedding got moved inside to the cramped house due to rain etc.? What would I do if my camera died since I don't have a second dSLR? What if I had a family emergency at the last minute and couldn't make the wedding? I could imagine 1001 things professional photographers automatically prepare for that I could never do.

And what would my working relationship be with this person if anything went wrong???

Luckily this person was understanding and said that she would continue looking since she was trying to surprise her brother

 

[WVDisGeek]

OK, at this point this is piling on, but if you are just starting out, please don't be the only photographer at the wedding. I have shot precisely 2 weddings in my life. The first was back in the film days as the backup to a pro photographer for my cousin. It was OK, because I knew I wasn't the only photographer. The second was about 6 months ago and I agreed to do the weeding for some friends who otherwise would not have had any photos due to budget constraints. I did the whole "I am not a pro and you get what you pay for" line. It was probably one of the most stressful days I have ever had while holding a camera.

Like others have said. You have to be assertive and take control of the process. You have to have the right equipment (the church I shot in allowed flash and I had a good external flash mounted on a seperate grip. It did fine, but the fact that I had a very sharp, very fast 50mm lens allwed for some nice shots without flash. You have to make nice with the officiant so they understand you will be moving around during the ceremony to get different angles. You have to be willing to work with BRIDE to get the shots SHE wants because if she isn't happy, no one is happy. You are basically moving from the moment you get to the site until the Bride & Groom leave the reception. You have to make sure your equipment is in perfect working order (and even then, there is always the what-if scenario) and that you have backups for everything. If you miss a shot because you don't understand how to adjust your settings on the fly without thinking, no on is going to care, they will only care that you missed the "shot".

Think long and hard about it before agreeing to do this.