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Bit of advice required
I have been asked to photograph a friends wedding in the new year and was wondering
what would be the best all round lense to
use for best results.
My present kit comprises a Canon 20D
EF-S 17-85, EF100 Macro and EF100-400
Lenses and 580EX Speedlite(The wedding
is an evening one with no natural light !)
If I need to purchase a new lense for the event which would be the best one.
Also thinking of upgrading the 20D to a 5D
Would this make a good wedding camera given
that I may decide to do more weddings in the future.(Or is there a replacement on the horizon !)
I'll answer the questions with a couple of my own...
First question: Have you ever photographed a wedding before?
Second question: Assuming you need new kit, how much have you got to play with?
What Lee said...
Also consider getting either a lightsphere or a flipit for your flash. Being able to use flash is important.
Don't forget insurance.
And consider going on a course if you've never done this before...
I think you have all you need except for a flash diffuser. I don't think you will need the 100-400 for wedding. Do you really want to carry it around all day? If you buy a 5D, you will need suitable lens to go with it.
Unless you get a good fast lens, and I think what you have is perfectly adequate to tell you the truth..
I'd stick with what you've got, and get to know it as well as you can - there is no good in buying a new camera a week before the wedding just in case it all goes horribly wrong...
100mm is as long as you want to go....it becomes a 160 on the 20D
Insurance is a good idea. Backing up images on a regular basis on digital is recommended so get a good storage device.
but mainly stick with what you have and KNOW YOUR KIT....
HTH
Peter
the 5D and 24-105 are marketed as a wedding package - I've done 4 with those, had a long lens on a 20D for candids and closeups (when they put the rings on and that kinda thing).
If you had a 5D, 24-105 and a speedlite and diffuser (i use a stofen - cheap and effective), you'll probably be ok in most instances.
remember that the 5D is great at high ISO's so you can get away without an expensive f2.8 unless it's really dark... and you get IS with the 24-105.
But make sure you know how to meter, shoot RAW so you can get the dress properly white in post processing and just be ready for anything at the ceremony... stuff happens a lot quicker than you think!!
I'm not familiar with your kit, but I would definitely consider an external battery pack to reduce recycle times and keep you going. You will have no other light source (?).
With regard to lenses, I would go wider as you will be indoors and space could be tight.
Always have back-up kit, even if it is film equipment (plus enough film for the whole event if this is the case. NPS 160 is a good bet, but this is personal preference).
If you could borrow a light or two and can find somewhere to set these up for the formals it will be worth it.
On a final note, if you have no experience of this, try a course or at least do some research on posing people, it will make all the difference.
HTH
PS Insurance is a great idea.
the last one i did was all on 50mm1.8 and 28-105, as above the only issue was flash recycle times. I couldn't use flash inthe church so the 1.8 was a must have
steveb
The equipment is fine and is really the last thing yopu need to think about when photographing a wedding
1) are you a good communicator and can you control a crowd of people without getting up there nose
2) Do you have the ability to pose people (especially bride and groom) in relaxed elegant poses that will good on the screen or paper later
3) A night wedding is hard work so is your flashgun and flash technique up to scratch
Answer yes to those 3 and with the 20D and 17-85 you will be fine
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