Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

Just for the fun of it, I am proposing a hypothetical situation. You are a pro or semi-pro who is scheduled to do a wedding shoot. You have a full frame DSLR setup (Nikon D800, Canon Mk3, etc with all the necessary accessories. Five days before the wedding, your stuff is stolen or trashed. Your hobbyist friends are willing to lend you their stuff. What would you pick, given the following choices? Entry DSLR (Nikon 5100, 3200, Canon Rebel T3, T4 Sony Alpha 37, 57) or your choice of ANY mirrorless, large sensor compact, or bridge camera available. Were I in that situation, I would probably rule out the Canon Rebel series first. Even though it could pull off the job in the right hands, the "Rebel" label screams consumer product. My first choice would be the Sony as the buying public is the least aware of which models are pro and which are not. In an outdoor wedding in good light, I might even consider the Fuji XS1 bridge camera. It looks big enough to pass for "pro" I would rule out any mirrorless with the possible exception of the Olympus OMD or the Panasonic GH series. While the Sony Nex 7 especially with some real German optics attached could pull off the job, it just doesn't look the part. As for large sensor compacts, they are too "touristy" looking and lack sufficient zoom range to do the job.

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

Just love these ficticous games... They're so fun to play with ...

rafaelwolf Loc: southern Oregon

It's the photographer and not the camera that will make or break any photo situation, including the wedding. I own a Nikon d5100 which I guess is a consumer, or 'at very best' a prosumer camera. I can take very good pictures with it and do real estate, small product, stock and fine art photography. I even sometimes get paid!!! I doubt most people would notice the 'professional' level of the camera, or would necessarily care. What counts is can you do the job and make the wedding couple and their family happy. Sorry about your camera... that sucks. Good luck. :)

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

5 days , easy, metrocard + charge card= B&H, whatever I decide I want, insurance will replace, no compromise on the wedding, Bob.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

You sure make it hard. I don't think the camera would be noticed as long as you were being professional in what you were doing.

I personally don't think the Canon 'Rebel' series would be an issue for most. Photographers would know they are entry level cameras but they could adequately do the job. I would probably go with the Nikon 5100 as opposed to the Canon T3. For me the lens would be the biggest problem. What lens choices do we have? If this was one of those jobs that I needed to do and do well, I would rent what I needed to get the job done right even if I just broke even financially.

I have done a wedding with a Canon T2i, Canon XTi, and a HD camcorder. This was an outside wedding so lighting was not an issue. It was not my first choice but I did it. They were very pleased with the photos and the video.

eye2eye Loc: Chicago, Illinois

So you consider this "fun"? Fun to me is taking the damn picture and not lamenting over a fictitious situation that I don't have any control over. Kind of like 3 people sitting around the crematorium discussing the best way to burn a body. The body will still be burned. So pick a camera, aim and shoot. You will still have captured the moment for that special occasion, regardless. And in the end, that's all that really matters.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Just explain to the wedding party that it's not the arrow it's the Indian or it's not the stove it's the cook. Then save yourself some bucks and just use your iphone there's even apps you can download for free so you can PP right on your phone, how great is that!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I would go with the Nikon D5200 just because I'm familiar with Nikon. The guests' perceptions of the camera wouldn't enter into my decision. I'd want a decent camera that would produce great results when used with my professional skills.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

If they are not willing to pay for qualified photographer, then they should have someone/let's play along and say you, buy the cheapest combo you can purchase / get away with and still look professional and get what they pay for.

HEART Loc: God's Country - COLORADO

WWAAD - What Would Ansel Adams Do?

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I would rent the same as what I had.
A wedding isn't the time to switch canoes, especially in a class V rapid, as a wedding can be.

sixshooter Loc: constitution state

Any DSLR with good glass..I'd go with the rebel t4i myself.Crop sensor has it's drawbacks..You just have to shoot with that in mind. Any photographer worth their salt can make it work. You would need a minimum of equipment though.This is someones once in a lifetime event.

Frank T Loc: New York, NY

I'd cover the name with black tape and carry on.

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Ditto :thumbup:

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Love it!