In the business of photography equipment cost is a tiny percentage of total lifetime revenue of the equipment. Divide the total cost of equipment by the total number of weddings/ or revenue you expect to earn from doing weddings, etc. Then double your equipment cost and then double it again and calculate the average cost of the equipment per wedding/revenue of the expected life of the equipment. It just isn't that much, missing a job or two because of "non professional" gear, or worse yet getting a reputation for producing substandard results - no matter how cheap - will cost you much more overtime. I would suggest renting "the typical pro gear" for you first couple of engagements - make sure what your produce is yours, vs. equipment limited. The cost of equipment isn't the reason why someone will charge more or less for a shoot.



Quote Originally Posted by FuNkEyMoNkEy View Post
I have decided to go for the CANON EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM and the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and sacrifice the flash I had intended to get with part of my budget with a view to buy the flash and 50mm later. but am getting a 650D instead of the 60D I had originally planned for. As for weddings, you might be right about a second camera and so will get a second hand 1000D for good measure. I cant see both of them failing in the same day, can you?
According to Scott Kelby, a cheap inexpensive fifty mill and a portrait lens would be enough of a basic kit for a wedding shoot and I intend to under cut the competition and then it is up to the customer whether or not they want a cheap photographer with a basic kit or a more expensive photographer with an expensive kit. I think the price will tell. Besides imo composition, direction and knowledge makes for a good photographer, experience will come with practice. I'm not going to get any where without trying my hand at it, and I could always do the first few free with an explanation of needing to learn the ropes.

BTW thanks for your replys, it gave me something to think about and any advice would be welcome.

MoNkEy.