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Hi, I am about to shoot my first wedding, and just want to check that my setup is suitable...
I have a D300 with a D70 as a backup. I have SB600 flashes on each camera with appropriate diffusers and ample storage and battery backups.
My area of concern is my lens setup. I am thinking of using my 18-200mm VR on the D300, with a high ISO for the indoor shots, and then a 50mm f.18 on the D70.
While the range of the 18-200 will be handy, is the flexability worth the trade off of not using non-zoom lenses?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks heaps
a super-wide lens can be handy for grop shots in side if its raining.
Quote: Do you have any other lenses aside from those two?
you want spare everything really and spares for them, imagine what a nightmare it will be if your only zoom breaks down. i would keep both cameras on you with lenses attached , you can lose vital seconds changing lenses when youre trying to get grab shots.i would say use the zoom if i had to stick to one, its a lazy mans way but it also means you aint doing the blue 4rse fly impression all day and you wont miss shots through being knackered or cant be bothered syndrome.
2 of every lens could be considered a bit of a luxury really, probably better to get a pro quality lens - the equivalent of Canon's L glass.
Those mothers are made to work just as well in the arctic and in the jungle, over engineered for most UK weddings, so I have confidence in them.
not sure the 18-200 is a pro lens, sounds a very long range if it is (Ok, I know there's the 28-300L), but I've seen some cracking shots with it, just don't drop it on the day!
Quote: not sure the 18-200 is a pro lens
Echo Ade's concern, I doubt I would consider this lens for wedding work.....
For a crop sensored Nikon, The choices would have to be the 17-55 f2.8 (DX) Although the new 24-70 f2.8 (FX) would be useable, And my first choice on an FF sensored camera....!
The 18-200 would be Ok-ish, for some of the candids though.....!
The 50.. f1.8 will produce the goods, If you use your legs to zoom..!
Quote: 2 of every lens could be considered a bit of a luxury really, probably better to get a pro quality lens - the equivalent of Canon's L glass.
I think it depends on the number (and the kinds) of weddings really.
If someone is booking paid weddings, then I'd still expect to see a variety of lenses, with some overlapping of focal lengths, etc. You need enough available that if one lens cacks up then you can still finish the job.
Why don't you hire a 17-55 2.8 and a 70-200VR for the day? The 18-200 is a bit of a compromise lens although you might get some nice available light stuff on the 50mm (use the D300 for any low light work).
Quote: 2 of every lens could be considered a bit of a luxury really, probably better to get a pro quality lens - the equivalent of Canon's L glass.
agreed ade , what i meant was (for instance) 1 x pro spec zoom and 1 x kit zoom as back up. i carry 7 lenses on me when shooting weddings , 1 x L lens , 1 x 10-20 , 1 x 50 mil and a variety of kit kenses ive picked up for peanuts 2nd hand purely as back ups. i also carry 4 flashes 3 bodies 2 tripods etc etc. about 6 years ago i did one where i ended on my last body ,flash and lens (a lovely 38-80 mil canon kit thing urgh) after a rather nasty incident involving my cam bag and a 4x4. as far as im concerned you can never have too much back up gear on one off events like weddings
I usually have from 17mm to 200mm covered with "L" glass, then a 50mm prime, most of the church work uses the 80-200 so I don't pi$$ the vicar off, the formal stuff usually uses the 24-105 and any big groups, a 17-40.
the overlap between the 17-40 and 24-105 gives me insurance for the formal group shots if one of them breaks
same with the overlap between the 24-105 and 80-200.
I'd love to have 4 bodies, 3 flashes etc. but not being a full time wedding tog, or even a full time pro, I can't justify the outlay. but I do have some canon user friends 
Robsta
I know an experienced professional who is now shooting weddings almost exclusively using a D300 and a 18-200VR. The advantages are flexibility - i.e. shoot wide one moment, then spot something that requires a telephoto and your sorted.
The lens is also small and compact compared to say a 70-200VR which can intimidate some guests. The major concern I have is what happens if the lens stops working or is damaged during the event. I would say the most versatile lens for a crop camera at weddings is in the 17-35 f/2.8, or as above Nikon do the 17-55 f/2.8.
I know there are third party equivalents such as the Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 and I think you should consider having one of these as a back up or even using this on the second camera. The 50mm prime will be useful for portraits and possibly intimate ceremony shots if your able to be at the front of the ceremony and also speech shots if your staying for those (Assuming it's Autofocus)
One other item you might be lacking is a lens which can focus up close - i.e. what is the magnification factor of the 18-200. Have you consider extension tubes for the 50mm for close ups of the rings, cake, bouquet, button holes etc.
Hope this helps
Martin
im no full time pro either but when you can pick up a 2nd hand eos film body for as little as 30 quid with a lens off ebay its gotta be worth buying one or a couple and just leaving them in the bag in addition to two digital bodies , along with a few rolls of film of course. all my back up gear is either very old stuff i bought years ago or 2nd hand. when you mention you must have back up gear the in itial reaction is always "i cant afford 2 5D`s" or "i havent got that kind of money" , buy 2nd hand for your back up and learn how to use film again!!
Thank you everyone for your very helpful responses!
I hear what you are saying about backup lenses, and definintly want to be able to shoot well if something goes wrong.
I also have an 18-70 and 70-300, however these are bottom end lenses, so will only use them as a last resort.
I am considering purchasing a 17-55 2.8, or I did see a Tamron 28-75 2.8 that looks to be quite good value for money. The nikon is going to cost me around 2.5k whereas the Tamron is around $680 and seems to have quite good reviews.
Ideally I dont want to be swapping lenses much (if at all) but then I dont want to sacrifice the quality of the photographs due to using a 'lazy' lens. The 18-200 is an awesome lense, but I am not convinced it is going to be the ideal solution for weddings...
I will also look into extension tubes for the 50mm, that sounds like a good idea!
Thanks again everyone, your help is much appreciated!
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