DebAnn Loc: Toronto

This summer I'll be going a long distance (by plane) to shoot the photos at my niece's wedding. First let me say that I am an experienced wedding photographer since I have successfully recorded several family weddings with great results.

Up until recently, I only owned crop-sensor cameras. My latest one is a Canon 70D which serves me well. I now own an aging full-frame Canon 5D as well. I also now own 7 lenses. I want to travel as light as possible. Given that I'll take both bodies with me, which of the following lenses would you think would be most appropriate for wedding photography, based on your own experience?

Full frame lenses:
Canon 17-40mm – f-4 L USM
Canon EF 28-80mm f-3.5-5.6
Canon EF 24-105mm f-4 L IS
Sigma EX 50mm – f-1.4 DG HSM

Crop sensor lenses:
Sigma 10-20mm – f-3.5 – DC HSM
Canon EFS 18-135mm
Canon EFS 55-250mm – 4-5.6 IS

Thanks for any input you can offer.

polonois Loc: Lancaster County,PA.

I have found that most churches have very poor lighting and given the lenses you have. I would say the Sigma EX 50MM - f1.4 DG HSM would be a must and possibly the Cannon 17-40MM. Other than that The Cannon EFS 18-135MM.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

10-20 on 70d or the 17-40L on the 5D
24-105 F4L on FF
50mm 1.4 on either body (70D for close portraits of the B&G for effective FOV of 80mm)

I would have the 50 on the 70D and the 24-105 on the 5D most of the time. The others have either lower IQ, overlap the focal range for the 2 above or limited use for people shots due to distortion (the 10-20 and the 17-40 at 17 on the 5D).

Net: bring the 50, 24-105 and the 17-40.
...and get a yongnuo flash for $70 and bring that...the older 5D and the 70D will be noisy indoors and a flash pointed at the ceiling with flash card extended will make a big difference. May be a learning curve so give yourself some time otherwise, go with what you have had success with......

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Hi Deb-

I provided some suggestions in your other post but somehow directed toward the "father of the bride", now realizing you are the aunt. My apologies...so here's the revised edition.


First of all, after over 50 years in professional wedding photography, let me tell you that the piece of equipment that you leave at home may very well be the one you need the most. One of the most problematic situations to prevent are issues due to equipment failure so you need to make certain that you have overlapping gear in the event of any kind of equipment breakdown or malfunction. Even the best and well maintained equipment can unceremoniously drop dead, jam or suffer an electrical failure, at the most inopportune times- like right in the midst of a wedding ceremony. . You are going to be working far from you home base so make sure that whatever you need will be readily accessible throughout the day. I hop you can enlist some help in moving the gear around and securing it well in public accessible places.

As for lens focal lengths, it is difficult to advise you specifically as to which lenses in your inventory to bring along along on your trip. I don't know your working methods, the lighting conditions layout, restrictions and style at the various venues for the ceremony, reception and formal photographs. Your normal lenses (35-50mm) (for each of your bodies) or focal lengths will work well for general shots, some formals and groups. Your medium (approx. 85-105mm) telephoto focal lengths are well suite for closeup and ¾ length portraits and some of the ceremony shots. Your longer focal lengths are handy if there are restrictions in getting in close to the ceremony. Longer lenses at wide apertures a good for selective focus and “bokeh”. Of course faster lenses are need for low lighting conditions where flash is restricted or not desirable and in situation where you do not want to raise your ISO settings to the point of excessive “noise”. Wide angle lenses or zoom settings, are not usually recommended for portraits and formal groups but the can be useful in tight spaces if used judiciously. Wide angle focal lengths are great for long shots of church interiors, allover shots of out of doors ceremonies and receptions or working in tight quarters for fast candied interactive shots of people celebrating, shooting over crowds, rock 'n' roll', ethnic or folk dances etc. In some instance I like to work at a distance but in ceting situations I like to get up close and personal for a more intimate look at people interacting.

Keeping some of theses points in mind, try to assemble a kit that will allow the use of the appropriate focal lengths for BOTH of your cameras to make cretin that if one body fails you can finish the job with the other and not be handicapped for lack of the right glass for` each situation.

I realize that nowadays there are some serious issues with carry-on luggage and additional costs for baggage overages. On destination jobs I usually try to bring my cameras and lenses into the main cabin or arrange to have them stowed in the pressurized area reserved for transportation of pets. Lights and other gear can ride with the baggage. Even in a good carrying case, I use additional bubble wrap and plastic bags to protect equipment from vibration, accidental impact and moisture.

I don't think you will need to buy or rent any more equipment, you have a very good compliment of lenses- it's just a matter of making certain that you have the ones that are most applicable to the shots you want to capture and you are protected by spare equipment.

I don't want to sound paranoid but “better safe than sorry” is one of the commandants of wedding photography. Bring lots of batteries, cords, cards and some flash gear.

SO...CONGRATULATIONS to your niece and your being the auntie of the bride and the official photographer. I would advise you against that but those who live in glass houses...etc. I photographed both of my kids weddings and with one, the second time around. It worked out well because when I work, I have nerves of steel and can control my emotions. If I was just the daddy, I might have fainted or broken down in tears. GOOD LUCK!

If you have any more questions or specifics of the venues (etc.) just let me know...glad to help!

dnathan

Having photographed about 600 weddings the above info is right on point. I can. Sum up my advice with one word: BACKUP!!!!!

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

I'm going to play the devils advocate here. My first wedding shoots were with (2) 70D Canons and kit lenses. Now mind you I got decent results during the day time but I was not prepared for the evening. Yes I had a flash but even now days with multiple full frame cameras that are solid at 3200 ISO I typically shoot multiple off-camera flash in the 1/60 - 1/160, F/5.6 - f/8 and an ISO in the 1250 range. I would never shoot a wedding with a 70D at 1250.

Not knowing the venue/lighting conditions limits our feedback that may be applicable. Most of my lenses are f/4 wide open and though they are L glass I still keep a 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8 and a 100mm f/2.8 in my bag for those venues that are dark and you can't shoot flash, again not knowing your exact situation limits what we can offer.

As mentioned ..... back up is a must.

If you've shot many weddings with your 70D you know the limitations you feel comfortable with ... for me I never go above 640 ISO unless it's an absolute must do. Remember the higher ISO the more important it is to nail the exposure. Even my full frames are much more forgiving at 320 ISO compared to 2500. I can pull shadows without much grain if my ISO is 320 .... at 2500 I know I must be within a third stop or I could have grain issues.

I got rid of the 70D's for photography years ago .... great little camera but not something the vast majority of wedding professionals feel comfortable shooting with.

Several of your full frame lenes work very well on the crop, personally I would stick the 50mm f/1.4 on the crop .... you end up with basically a portrait lens 80mm f/1.4. Lots of light when you need it. You can basically shoot an entire wedding with a full frame with a 24-105 f/4 so I would stick that on your full frame during the ceremony and the 17-40mm f/4 during the getting ready time as the wide lens can be needed in a small area.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

Thanks all of you for your input. Most appreciated.
Deb

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Deb, if traveling light is your main concern, consider renting the camera bodies and lenses, or pack well and just ship the equipment. Think about it, new lenses and camera bodies, and light, and..... are shipped all the time. What I wouldn't suggest is renting a body that you aren't familiar with, just because it is full frame or whatever.

People tend to forget, we were shooting weddings with D-70s and D-200s (Nikon Guy) which would give you almost unacceptable noise at ISO 400-800. The key is knowing your equipment, using a tripod (unless they are running away, brides and grooms don't run that fast) for during the ceremony shots. That is when most officials won't let you use flash. Then use your flash while they are walking down the aisle, and during the reception. I would have to check my notes, but I believe the last 4 church weddings allowed flash during the ceremony. One pastor said it best. "if you don't use flash, the other guests will, so who am I to say no?" Of course, you need to ask the official first.

The rest of the info, just ......ditto to what Ed says. I'm a newbie compared to him (only 33 years in the biz) but I'm a firm believer in renting if you need to, just to have a spare. Even if it's for family, this is a "one time event." at least that's what we all hope and pray at every wedding.
bk