I'm kinda behind with blogging some recent work here on my journal. Wedding season has just recently thrusted my life into overdrive. Thank God that I have such an understanding wife. She is juggling so much while I'm doing back-to-back-to-back weddings. So, much love to her for working so hard at home and with our three kids. If you can imagine 10 weddings in the span of 5 weeks, man, I can't even think about it or my feet start to swell up. Thank God that I also love what I do for a living. Anyways, while I'm plugging away and editing thousands of images, I just wanted to share this one image above from a recent wedding at Wolf Lakes. It shows off the capabilities of a Canon 5D2. This blew my mind away after I took the frame. I shot this while on a boat ride at the lake. It was almost 11 pm, and I couldn't even see anything. I'm serious: IT. WAS. DARK!

Anyways, for all you geeks, I shot this with my 35mm f/1.4 @ f/1.8, 1/2 sec, ISO 6400, NO FLASH. The light source was from the reception from across the lake. Cool thing was that the couple in the photo didn't even know I was taking a picture of them 'cuz it was so dark, so the natural expressions were definitely a bonus. Granted the image is grainy, but I'll take that anytime if I could shoot past 10 pm with no flash and my closest available light is about a quarter of a mile away.

I had some people asking about the three cameras that I am selling, so here's a recap of the details. Pictured above are all 3 cameras for sale: Harry, Larry & Sally. I also recounted how many batteries I actually had, so I've corrected that info.

1) Canon 5D camera body - comes with the vertical grip/battery pack, battery charger, strap with my sweat on it, and 4 batteries.

2) Canon 5D camera body - comes with 3 batteries, a battery charger, and the original strap with my original sweat on it.

3) Canon 1D mark IIn camera body - comes with 2 batteries and a battery charger.

They are all going for $1400 each or $1200 each if you buy more than one of them, all in great condition, and in working order with minimal cosmetic wear due to me using them to make a living. If you are interested, call me (866-704-8419) or email me here: info [at] marianofriginal.com

I was also asked a question if I would teach whoever buys it how to use it, so I'm throwing in a free registration to a Camp Shooty class if you get one of these puppies. Cool? Peace!

I recently upgraded my gear and the sad news is I will be parting with my old amigos, my 2 Canon 5D's. If anyone is interested in getting an awesome 12-megapixel, low-noise, full-frame camera (or two), drop me a line (866-704-8419), I'd love to find a good home for them. You get a Canon 5D body only, 3 batteries, and a battery charger for $1400 (I'll throw in a free vertical battery grip for the first camera out the door, I only have one of them). If you buy both of my homies, I'll give them to you for for $1200 each (with 5 batteries and 1 battery grip). First-come-first-serve.

I'm also selling my Canon 1D mark IIn for the same price. You get the camera body, plus 3 batteries, and battery charger for $1400. This is a professional-grade camera that shoots 8.5 frames per second.

Buying new gear reminded me of the first time I've ever bought a camera and how clueless I was going into it. There's only 8 days left 'til Christmas, so if you've been waiting 'til the last minute to buy something for that photo-lover in your life, then here are some tips that might help you. Nothing's worse than going into a store desparate, not knowing what to buy and just getting whatever the salesperson tells you to. I'm a Canon user since I started, so I will only talk about what I know.

CAMERAS:

1) Canon Rebel XS w/ 18-55 IS lens kit - $500 - A good camera with a decent lens, good for the beginner, this is what I started with (the old version) a few years ago, except I paid double LOL.

2) Canon 40D (camera only w/ no lens) - $850 - An awesome camera for someone that is serious about photography, it doesn't come with a lens, but I can recommend one for you, or you can buy the kit that comes with an 18-55 IS lens for around $1000 and I think Canon has a rebate going on right now so you save $50. I recommend this version over the newer version (50D), you save some money for almost the same camera, I'd rather get lenses with the extra cash.

3) Canon 5D (camera only w/ no lens) - $2000 - Something for someone that's really serious with photography. This is a camera will go down in history with legendary spledor. I've shot tons of weddings and portraits with it and it's been a killer camera for me. Pretty much everything you see here in my blog was shot with this camera. When I bought it a little over 2 years ago, I paid $3200, and I would pay the same amount if they sold it at that price today, but you're in luck, nowadays, they go for around 2 G's brand new... big-time bargain! It doesn't come with a built-in flash or a lens, so be ready to buy more stuff after you get one of these. I would recommend the newest version of this camera (5D mark II), but it's really hard to get one, the waiting list at the store is as long as my name. If you want a good used 5D, call me and I'll sell you mine. I'll even give you a handshake.

LENSES:

1) Canon 50mm f/1.8 - $100 - they call this the nifty fifty, nothing comes close, when you go dollar-for-dollar, it's the best lens out there for the price, and you can get those nice out-of-focus backgrounds, good for close-up portraits.

2) Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM - $450 - a good low-light lens and a very useful focal length on both full-frame cameras (5D) or cropped cameras (Rebel or 40D).

3) Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS - $600 - if you could only get one "all-purpose" lens for your Rebel or 40D, then this would get my vote. It has tremendous range and a decent price.

OTHER GEAR:

1) External Flash: Canon 430EX II - $280 - good if your camera doesn't come with a flash (5D), or if you want a flash that is more flexible and will give you more control. I highly recommend getting one of these if are attending my Camp Shooty Lighting Crash Course, not necessary, but very handy.

2) Memory Cards: Promaster 4GB or 8GB - around $50-$200 - get these at Boot's Camera, they have a lifetime warranty. If they ever go bad (which happens a lot, regardless of brand), they'll replace it for free, no questions asked.

3) Extra Batteries - you can always use an extra battery. If you only have one for your camera, get a backup like right now.

4) Camera Bag - I've used Lowepro bags all my life and highly recommend them. My only advice is get something a little bigger than what you need, that way you have room to expand.

I hope that helps, if you need more advice, just email me: info [at] marianofriginal.com