Need advice from wedding pro’s.

[Wutang Crane]

Hi, fellow members.

I’m getting more and more requests to shoot weddings.
I’ve got 3 weddings booked later this year.
I’ve shot my fare share of portraits, but never for a wedding.
I just don’t know how tough it can be to ‘cut the mustard’ on the day.

I’m using an EOS 350D, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 and EF 50mm f/1.8.

I need a long lens to distance myself from the action so that I can pick up candid shots which is fast enough to perform well in low-light condition and produce good bokeh. Also, I’ll need a long-enough reach from the back of the church hall to the pulpit.

I have 2 choices; either to go for a combination of prime lenses all the way or to get a zoom. To those of you who have been taking wedding pictures for years, please help me decide which is more important for me, having a flexible zoom or fast primes? The use of flashgun is usually not allowed during the ceremony.

My budget is around 2k and the EF 70-200 f/4 L is my first choice followed by Sigma 70-300 DG APO and Sigma 18-200 DC OS. If I were to go prime all the way, that would be the EF 85mm f/1.8 or EF 100mm f/2 or EF 135mm f/2.8.

My hands are able to work pretty fast swapping lenses. But will I be missing a lot of opportunities? Please help. Other suggestions are welcomed.

Crane

[kenntsc]

I'm not pro but usually I'm using my favourite 50mm prime for candid shots. attached herewith my humble candids with 50mm :

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/3589/tprec0024qo7.jpg

http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/3235/tprec0003ut4.jpg

http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/7412/dsc3125og8.jpg

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/1795/dsc0256vk4.jpg

I suggest u to get another system as the probability of get scrash is very high if your keep swapping your lenses. :)

[PCW]

Shooting wedding with 2 camera body if your budget allows you to do so.:D

[jayhan]

This is getting very interesting as this is also the segment which Im looking to get into. I personally plan to go with a 2 body setup as follows:
1. 350D + EFS 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM
2. 30D + EF70-200mm f4L IS USM
Both could be fitted with existing 580EX and 430EX.
Thus at the moment, my "must get" item is the 30D :(

[karheng]

better 2 bodies than 1. And get a 70-200 f/2.8 if budget alows...

[jmaguireokm]

This is getting very interesting as this is also the segment which Im looking to get into. I personally plan to go with a 2 body setup as follows:
1. 350D + EFS 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM
2. 30D + EF70-200mm f4L IS USM
Both could be fitted with existing 580EX and 430EX.
Thus at the moment, my "must get" item is the 30D :(

Jay, i'm currently using 2 body :P
- 350D + 50mm f1.8 MKII / SP90 :P
- 30D + 17-40mm f4 L + 580EX + GF

guess this combination no need to change any lens qua heheheheehehe

[ShaolinTiger]

I'd definitely look into getting 2 bodies, or at least getting some fast lenses.

Flash is quite often not allowed during church ceremonies, with an f/4 lens you are gonna be looking at using ISO1600 to get decent shutter speed, which is not ideal.

A good combination is usually something like 16-35mm f/2.8 or 17-55mm f/2.8 IS or cheaper Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 and a the monster 70-200mm f/2.8 IS.

If not you can go for a fast prime like 135L f/2.0 or 85mm f/1.8.

The best budget setup would be something like Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 and an 85mm f/1.8 prime.

[karheng]

Flashes not allowed in Church meh? Didn't know that cos I've not heard of that theory.....Most churches i've shot in are flexible and allow it, not a problem at all...

[Wutang Crane]

Today, I just tried out a used Sigma 70-200 f2.8 APO DG Macro. The first thing I noticed was the weight, which almost killed me! I can foresee having a tough time handling this lens in a fast-paced situation like on a wedding.

Someone told me that I should just get a 85mm prime. By the way, I have a partner who will be backing me up with an 18-200mm. People, what do you think?

Crane.

[ND40]

18-200 is more to a walk around lense. In the other words, i would say it is more suitable for traveling. But nothing is certain...The man behind can always make the difference.

18-200 having the aperture from 3.5-5.6....... you might not have much problem when you shooting wide @ 18mm which aperture is 3.5.....but when you shoot in longer range, the aperture went smaller. You really need to control your flash well. or get yourself a good diffuser such as GFLS and Demb....*poisoning???*

50mm/85mm @ f/1.8 or f/1.4 would be good @ low light situation. You won't go wrong with either one.. Perhaps you can use the 50mm when you shooting indoor (narrow space) and the 85mm for the dinner as you got bigger space.

And again, it much more depends on preference....since you already got the 17-50, a telephoto would be versatile in you case.

Anyway, my 2 kupang....

[asmady]

currently i mount 10-22mm on 1 body & 70-200 F4 IS on another. but i think ST's setup is the best. get the fastest zoom lenses possible for wide & tele coverage. then u wont have to change lenses. a photojournalist with reuters is using this setup. he got 2 MK-2 bodies, one with 17-35mm F2.8 & another with 70-200mm F2.8. he keeps his 580ex in his bag.

[Wutang Crane]

ND40,

Yes, I have a GFLSii, and it helps a lot. is 85mm necessary since i have already got a 50mm?

Crane

Asmady,

Assuming there's no IS on your 70-200, did you struggle with f/4 in low light and were you able to get nice bokeh (may sound silly, but i am new to this)

Crane

[ND40]

ND40,

Yes, I have a GFLSii, and it helps a lot. is 85mm necessary since i have already got a 50mm?

Crane

Crane, this is really depends....

For me, i would like to have 50mm and 85mm in my bag all the time. As for wedding, sometimes we cannot go too close to them... i feel 50mm close to them also...i feel the longer the better...especially when i want to capture the candids during the wedding... when they know you taking them, some of their expression will looks not natural....

but how long the lens to use, really depends on situation. Especially the Venue. So, nothing certain. Just grab the equipment that you feel that they are "must" for you...

Nothing is better than shooting with something that you really know them well.. Cheers..again...my 2 kupang!!

[asmady]

without IS i think 90% of what i shoot will be unusable. to match speed with range i.e 200mm with 250 shutter speed indoor is plain impossible. even f u have steady hands, having IS wont hurt. i've read somewhere if u can hold it steady with 60/f.4 at 200mm, with IS u can do it at 30/f.4.

[Wutang Crane]

Guys,

I love reading all your opinions; keep it coming.

For those who did not read my 1st post, by the way, I already have a 17-50 f2.8 and 50mm f1.8 (canon mount), and I am planning for my first wedding shoot as the official photographer. Having low-light and flashing opportunities kept at the very minimum will be the 2 greatest challenge for me.

I am very certain now that a fast prime telephoto would be the perfect option for me. Although a f2.8 70-200 would be very nice to have, neither can i afford it or tolerate the weight.

So, here is another classic dabate; 85mm f1.8 or 100mm f2?

Crane

[jayhan]

Today, I just tried out a used Sigma 70-200 f2.8 APO DG Macro. The first thing I noticed was the weight, which almost killed me! I can foresee having a tough time handling this lens in a fast-paced situation like on a wedding.

Yeah that baby's weight sure will give u a couple of good muscles :P
But its all worth it, unless of course its plain unbearable! I've got an injured left wrist, thats why I ended swapping this SIGMA for the CANON's 70-200 f4L IS.

without IS i think 90% of what i shoot will be unusable. to match speed with range i.e 200mm with 250 shutter speed indoor is plain impossible. even if u have steady hands, having IS wont hurt. i've read somewhere if u can hold it steady with 60/f.4 at 200mm, with IS u can do it at 30/f.4.
I'm looking at possibilities of shooting at ISO200 with the 70-200mm f4L IS. That should compensate a lot for the shutter speed. Bear in mind that the lens' IS is the latest version which allows up to 4-stop of IS. :P:D Ive tried handheld at 30/f4 @ 200mm and image is crystal clear and sharp, except for the person's hand movements - but hey dat adds to the movement feel to it :)


For those who did not read my 1st post, by the way, I already have a 17-50 f2.8 and 50mm f1.8 (canon mount), and I am planning for my first wedding shoot as the official photographer. Having low-light and flashing opportunities kept at the very minimum will be the 2 greatest challenge for me.

I am very certain now that a fast prime telephoto would be the perfect option for me. Although a f2.8 70-200 would be very nice to have, neither can i afford it or tolerate the weight.

So, here is another classic dabate; 85mm f1.8 or 100mm f2?

Crane
I still think that going for a fast zoom is the best option. why? simply because as a wedding photog you will need the most flexible option at any given time. Zooms give you this which by the time you walked to the "perfect spot" for a prime - the scene is already over.

[Wutang Crane]

Jayhan,

Your last point is valid enough for me to re-consider my options. The 70-200 f4 is within my budget, but not the one with IS. My friend has one which I'm going to try soon.

thanks.

Crane.

[csjian]

Jayhan,

Your last point is valid enough for me to re-consider my options. The 70-200 f4 is within my budget, but not the one with IS. My friend has one which I'm going to try soon.

thanks.

Crane.

Sorry I m not Pro, but i have taken few wedding with my friend & i only use 50mm f1.8. & it look great for me! with or without flash.
IMHO
as you already have 17-50mm which will help u to cover grp photo & close up
I will suggest u get 50mm /85mm f1.4/f1.8. to take candid.
dont worry abt the ppls will realize u r taking photo, most of the time ur "target" still the Groom & bride most of the time & the dont mind to let u take photos..:p

& + a Raynox 250 to close up to take Ring etc (50mm & 85mm cant go to close)

:P

[Wutang Crane]

csjian,

I already have a 50mm f1.8. Which prime would you advise me to get, 85mm f1.8 or 100mm f2?

Crane

[csjian]

csjian,

I already have a 50mm f1.8. Which prime would you advise me to get, 85mm f1.8 or 100mm f2?

Crane
IMHO
for me..will choose 85mm f1.8 (1.4 too costly),

btw, is 105mm f2 right? i dont know abt 100mm f2

the spec:

Nikon Ai AF DC Nikkor 105mm F2 D (launch on 1993, Sept)
-111 x 79mm
-640g
-72mm

Nikon Ai AF Nikkor 85mm F1.8 D (launch on 1994, Mar)
-58.5 x 71.5mm
-380g
-62mm

[Louis Pang]

You have 3 weddings booked. Does that justify getting an expensive new lens? Why not go through the three shoots and decide later? By then you will have a better idea on your needs. Only you can tell. What lens to get depends very much on your shooting style. I work with a tele zoom. Some swear by prime lenses only as they are lighter and come with wider aperture.