EVOLT 300 for wedding?

[Daniel Bates]

Hey all,

A friend of mine wants me to be the assistant photographer at her wedding next spring. I don't have an SLR though, and I don't think my KM DiMAGE A2 is quite up to the task. So, I researched online and decided that a 20D was my best bet: I could get the body with the kit lens and the 50mm f/1.8 for not too much money.

And then, life happened, and now I don't have the $1500 to get a 20D system. I have basically three options now: use my A2, rent a 20D system for the day, or borrow the bride's Olympus EVOLT E-300. So, I'd like to hear from anybody who knows about the EVOLT--is it a decent camera for weddings? Can I rent good (read: fast) lenses someplace in Austin? The two lenses that the bride owns are the kit lens (I think) and some cheap zoom.

In short, I'm worried about image noise and lens availability. Flash is not a big issue, though it would be helpful for candids before the ceremony.

Thanks for your help here!
--Daniel

[BoomerSailor]

I'm not a photographer that earns a living with my tools so take this for what it's worth... and I do own a 20D so I'm probably pretty biased. But I think your best option is the 20D if all other factors are equal.

I'm assuming a daily rental of the 20D versus borrowing the E-300 would be a wash in that at the time of the event you'd be shooting with a camera that you're very unfamiliar with. If that is the case I'd say rent the 20D with a 24-70 f/2.8L if possible. I have done wedding shoots as the assistant photographer and the lens speed is a must.

I have a friend who owns the E-300 and I think it is a much better camera than the reputation it carries, but it does have a problem with noise and weddings can have a tendency to exploit that weakness. If you're using flash that should help some but if the camera has the kit lens I believe it's f5.6 at the long end and even there it's pretty soft. This could be a problem for you... smaller aperture requiring higher ISO. The E-300 is not the camera to find yourself in that position with.

That being said, I'd lean towards the camera in which you can become the most familiar by the time of the shoot. Since there is a primary photographer, you most likely won't be expected to get "the shots". You can get some very nice photos with the E-300 or with the 20D - if you are familiar with and know how to use each camera.

Good luck and I'm certainly curious which way you decide to go.

[ndsimm]

without knowing the workings of either, my suggestion as a wedding photographer would simply be to try the evolt in a few low light situations (if possible the wedding venue) to see how it will turn out. Since the wedding is not until next spring, can you not save up again for the 20D? if nothing else, rent the 20D with some good glass

[Daniel Bates]

I'll have the opportunity to use the EVOLT before the wedding (I could probably borrow it right now, actually). So I would know how to use it, whereas with the 20D, I would only have Internet manuals and reviews to look at. I'd memorize the knobs and buttons, but there's really no substitute for physically using the camera. . .

I know what you mean about the fast glass. If I rent (or buy--that's still an option) the 20D, I'd rent/buy the 50mm f/1.8 and a good L-series medium zoom. I would mostly be shooting candids before and after the ceremony, as the pro photog should get all the important shots.