Tom Collins , Jan 28, 2010; 03:50 p.m.
I realize that a certain percentage of my audience is going to say "What?!?! Shoot a wedding with a body under $1,000? You're crazy!"
Well I'm not crazy, I'm just broke, lol. And broke or not, I've had two couples view my portfolio recently (all shot with a Rebel XS (1000D)) and want to hire me for their weddings. I've also assisted at 3 weddings with a professional wedding photographer, so I'm doing everything I can to get my feet wet. I'll probably shoot 2 or 3 more as a 2nd shooter before I do one solo. That being said:
What is the best Canon body for weddings/portraits (low light performance specifically) for under $1,000 (new or used)? I appreciate your input!
-Chris
Ken Papai 
, Jan 28, 2010; 03:59 p.m.
Only two choices: 40D or a 50D... unless you can find a good used 5D for $975?
Matt Laur 
, Jan 28, 2010; 04:00 p.m.
What lenses do you have, or are you budgeting separately for that part of things? Likewise on your flash equipment, of course.
Gil Pruitt , Jan 28, 2010; 04:12 p.m.
Get an XSi so you are familiar with the controls and the two cameras are basically similar in functionality. Put the rest of the money to either a Metz 58 AF flash with a Stofen diffuser or the very fine Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 lens depending on what you have already. Your $1k will be money well spent and you will be armed and dangerous for weddings and events. Good luck!
Arie Vandervelden , Jan 28, 2010; 04:36 p.m.
Hal B , Jan 28, 2010; 05:19 p.m.
I've seen 5D's for right around the $1000 mark. The 40D would be a little cheaper, though probably not any better (realistically) than the Rebel XS, in terms of results. Save your money instead, and get a couple great lenses (one in the 17-50 range and one in the 70-200 range)
Tom Collins , Jan 28, 2010; 05:20 p.m.
My gear - rebel xs, 18-55 kit lens, 50mm 1.8, 430 EX II, 540 EZ, stofen omnibounce for both, 2 (8) gb sd cards.
What's the difference in performance between 40d and 50d? Looked at it on dpreview and didn't seem too different.
Scott Ferris , Jan 28, 2010; 05:44 p.m.
Don't laugh, I have said this before and people have taken my advice and are delighted.
The best IQ you can get for under $1,000 is a 1Ds MkI. Indeed nothing under $1,000 will touch it.
Sheldon Nalos 
, Jan 28, 2010; 06:15 p.m.
For weddings, definitely get a used 5D. Better than the 40D/50D/1Ds I at high ISO's, and you'll need high ISO's for weddings.
Save for the 70-200 f/2.8 IS next, rent one until you can afford to buy.
Scott Ferris , Jan 28, 2010; 06:24 p.m.
I did weddings for years and never went above 400iso (well it was asa in those days). You do not "need" high iso for weddings, it can be helpful sometimes but you don't need it.
The 70-200 is a great lens but not the best wedding lens by far. I can shoot a really good wedding with a 24-70 on a ff, I couldn't do that with a 70-200. I could do 70-80% of it with the 50 f1.8 which Chris has. The 24-70 is a superb portrait lens too.
