Rogers

I've volunteered to take pictures (in lieu of a professional) for my high school's 50th reunion. I have a strong hunch my Canon 450D would disappoint. Please advise if the approach I'm considering makes sense, or if I should do something else.

Purchase direct from Canon an EOS 6D, and either buy body +prime lens or else body + kit lens. Use a tripod that will go up to 8 feet. From the reviews it seems a flash might not be necessary. If it is, would it be risky to use the cheapo walmart flash that works pretty well with my 450D, or else buy a Speedlite, or some other light?

Thanks for any advice.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

If this is a one time event it might pay to rent the gear rather than purchase.

taxman Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Rogers

I'd like to move up to a better camera, as I enjoy making pictures. I think I'll look into renting to try it and see if I like it. Thanks for the suggestion, as I hadn't thought of that.

photogenie Loc: Raleigh, NC

You might consider doing this with equipment you are most comfortable with. Nothing worse than being on the job and fumbling around
with new equipment you are NOT familiar with. Could be embarrassing.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

IF you buy/rent new gear I'd pack the old also, back up and in case you are not comfortable enough with the new gear, Bob.

Rogers

Unless I can convince myself the 450D would do the job (I've never tried to take that large of a group picture) I'd probably try to use the old camera and new one too. The 450D is a 12 megapixel crop sensor and I've agonized over whether it would make a good high resolution picture, given that I won't know even how many people will show up. I'm guessing 50.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

How many people? Where will you take the pictures?
Why get a better camera - yours will provide 12.2 mp images, and if the lighting is decent you'll get great shots. You don't need nor want an ultrawide lens, unless you don't mind taking crap from the people at the left and right edges - who will be "widened" because of the wide angle distortion sometimes referred to as volume anamorphosis or volume deformation.

Better to use a longer focal length lens and shoot a pano and stitch it in post processing. You'd overlap each image by about 50%, to ensure a smooth stitch.

Another thing to keep in mind is that people may be picking their nose, not looking at the camera, blinking, etc - The most successful way I have to ensure that I do as few takes as possible is to tell everyone to close their eyes, and open them on a count to three. Their attention will be focused, they will be looking at you, their eyes will be open, and they will have a sweet, relaxed smile of genuine amusement that would be difficult to get by any other means.

Here is one guy's approach to a large group pano"

http://www.rogerodoherty.com/2013/04/large-group-pano.html

He shoots the component images in landscape mode - I would not suggest you do that. Better to use portrait orientation and have 2 or 3 more images. You will end up with a very large, very high quality image - lots of megapixels - and space to crop at the top and the bottom to get the image you like.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

What makes you think your 450D isn't up to the task of taking a picture?

drklrd Loc: Cincinnati Ohio

Since you are one of their own they only use you to be cheap. They should hire in a pro especially if you have to ask for advise any place. It is a one time event and a lot of amateurs think it will get them in the door to become a pro. Granted to become a pro you need experience but rather than do a bad job and become known as a bad photog you should advise them to hire a real photog and spend their money wisely. I shot my class reunion twice but then I was at pro quality both times and had the confidence to do it well like I always did. If you are unsure now then buy new gear and fumble with it and hope because it is digital it will still give a useable print. I know a lot of amateurs that would rather hire a pro than take on a wedding or special event because they now it is out of their league. To do groups of more than 5 or 6 you need at least 2 pro flash units and light stands and a good camera that you know a lot about especially when it comes to using it with 2 or more flash units. The posing itself with a group can be a bigger problem than just the equipment. Question is are you willing to rent or buy 2 flash units, two light stands, one good tripod, a book on posing groups, and a Good Camera and Wide lens? And then read all the instructions and the manual on posing. I had confidence doing all that in my early days as a photog plus a college course in photography. I learned posing weddings from the pros and every Saturday before a wedding in my early days I viewed a few wedding videos to stay sharp. Are you ready for that commitment? If not leave it to the pros that's what they get paid for.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Your 450D / XSi is more than capable to the task, assuming you do add a speedlite and a diffuser. If you've decided you need a new camera, there's likely no way to convince you of this first point even though it is true ... Once you start talking about upgrading to a full frame camera, you start down a slippery slope that involves at least 1 or several full frame lenses and possibly new computer capability. To do a quality job at the reunion beyond the daylight, outdoor and early evening events, you'll still need the speedlight.

The 6D would be a fine choice as well as a 580EX and a 24-105L. You could add the lens and flash to your current camera with immediate tangible results. You should shop used at KEH as all these items have been out for quite a while and many used copies in excellent condition used will be available from reseller like KEH or on ebay. Why pay new prices for older models ...

And if you skip the camera, you don't even have to buy a full frame lens. An EF-S 18-105 will be a good addition for event photography assuming a speedlight flash rather than the pop-up.

Online sources for rental gear are LensRentals or BorrowLens.

Rogers

Thanks for all the advice. I did tell the organizers I doubted I could take a good group pic, but probably could do ok with candid and small groups. The gal said we just won't worry about a group pic then. I think I'd better try to attend at least one of their group planning meetings and tell them they are taking a risk by not getting a pro lol.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Comment on this , I did that, take several sets, people move, if the important people are blurry it's not good, landscape is faster shooting so I'd do it that way, if you can do the group in 2 shots all the better, also consider something to stand on, I used a picnic table that was nearby, if I was planning on it in advance I'd have brought a ladder or step stool, I like the kitchen type that has like a rail at the top, I want some bracing, Bob.

Rogers

Thanks for the great ideas. I have to admit I was trying to use this event as an excuse to get a better camera LOL.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Nothing is more likely to cause errors than a brand new, unfamiliar camera in a setting where lots of people are involved and the pressure is on the execute quickly.