David Oisthoorn
Wedding | Last Updated: April 4, 2024
What you are looking at is a result of years of playing, testing & getting things wrong. I think every photographer goes through a few years of trying to work out their style, trying to find what works for them and what doesn’t. I had 4 flashes, now I have 1 (barely used). I had 2 zoom lenses, now I have 6 primes. I had tripods & light stands, now I wear dickie bows. Things change.
My photography gear story started with a Canon 400D, bought from a dodgy looking chap on a street in Lanzarote. It was my baby! I love that thing and still do! It has a pride of place on a shelf in the office. It’s always nice to pick it up and remember where it all started. From then it went something like this:
Canon 20D – Canon 7D – Canon 5D – Canon 5D mark II and finally to the Canon 5D mark III.
I started off with zoom lenses. Shooting weddings with a Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 and a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8. This worked great for me but after purchasing a 50mm prime my whole game changed. I loved it! Primes needed to be in my life! So I sold my zooms and made the jump!
I now shoot with Canon 35mm f/1.4, Canon 50mm f/1.2, Canon 85mm f/1.2 and a Canon 135mm f/2. Every one of them has such incredible glass and are such fun lenses to shoot with! The 35 & 50 shoot 95% of the wedding day.
I love my Canon 5D mark III for so many reasons! What an incredible piece of kit! Its auto focusing and low light capabilities really make it such a perfect camera for weddings.
BUT! Yes, there is always a but! The Fujifilm X-T1!
If you’re not aware of mirrorless systems yet you’ve been asleep! Wake up! These things are the real game changers! I can’t get over this little camera. Such incredible possibilities from something so small. I originally bought it as a travel camera but the more I played around with it the more I realised that this light little camera packs a serious punch. I have shot 5 weddings with it now and I love it. Along with the Fujifilm 23mm f/1.4 R (35mm equivalent) & Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4 R (50mm equivalent) lenses I think I’ve found something that could convert me.
I have had and still do have a great relationship with my Canon gear. Is the Fujifilm X-T1 going to change that? Could I be tempted to trade all that L glass and my 5D in and get a second Fujifilm body?? I’m not sure… I’m on the fence! For now I shoot with both but check back with me in a few months! :)
Check out these 8 essential tools to help you succeed as a professional photographer.
Includes limited-time discounts.
