Wedding lens(lenses): My niece is getting married in a couple weeks. They hired a professional photographer. She wants me to also take some photos. I have a Nikon D800. The lens...

Busch Loc: San Diego

My niece is getting married in a couple weeks. They hired a professional photographer. She wants me to also take some photos. I have a Nikon D800. The lens choices: all Nikkor: 35mm f1.2, 50mm f1.8, 60mm f2.8, 105mm f2.8, 28-300mm f3.5-5.6, 24-70 f2.8, 70-200mm f2.8 w or w/o TC-20E III.

How many should I bring? Which one will I use the most? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I also have 1 SB-600 & 1 SB-900

Thanks,

Busch

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

I think that your 24-70 and your 70-200 along with your favorite flash should cover it.

twowindsbear

Take ALL of them! Be sure to ask the pro how he's shooting his shots. Which lens, what f-stop, ISO, etc.,etc.,etc. Also make it a point to mention that the bride asked you to 'shoot' her wedding along with the pro shooting.

Busch Loc: San Diego

twowindsbear wrote:

Take ALL of them! Be sure to ask the pro how he's shooting his shots. Which lens, what f-stop, ISO, etc.,etc.,etc. Also make it a point to mention that the bride asked you to 'shoot' her wedding along with the pro shooting.

Good idea. Thanks

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Busch wrote:

My niece is getting married in a couple weeks. They hired a professional photographer. She wants me to also take some photos. I have a Nikon D800. The lens choices: all Nikkor: 35mm f1.2, 50mm f1.8, 60mm f2.8, 105mm f2.8, 28-300mm f3.5-5.6, 24-70 f2.8, 70-200mm f2.8 w or w/o TC-20E III.

How many should I bring? Which one will I use the most? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I also have 1 SB-600 & 1 SB-900

Thanks,

Busch

What I have used most on weddings are my 70-200/2.8II, 135mm/2.0, 50/1.4 and surprisingly my 400/5.6, as that lens keeps on giving me really nice shots of special moments, that other lenses just can't!

Haydon

Blurryeyed wrote:

I think that your 24-70 and your 70-200 along with your favorite flash should cover it.

Must concur, those are the two best choices.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Busch wrote:

.../...

Since you will not take any formal and there is an official photographer take the 28~300 that will cover all situations w/o hassle. As to the flash one SB900 suffice.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

twowindsbear wrote:

Take ALL of them! Be sure to ask the pro how he's shooting his shots. Which lens, what f-stop, ISO, etc.,etc.,etc. Also make it a point to mention that the bride asked you to 'shoot' her wedding along with the pro shooting.

Yeah pester the guy who is working... That's the ticket.

Mormorazzi Loc: Temple, Texas

First, if your niece signed a contract with the pro, have her check the fine print for exclusivity. Second, I strongly urge you NOT to ask the photographer about lenses, f-stops, ISO, etc. He or she is there to capture every important moment and your questioning may throw him or her off course. Stay out if his/her way.

If, indeed, there's nothing in the contract to preclude you from taking photos, try and get the photos the pro is going to miss...the things going on BEHIND the photographer are often the BEST shots. Photographers often take far too few photos of the guests and also the decorative details the bride has spent months creating.

RonMos Loc: South Carolina

I agree with Mormorazzi, Most photographers don't want you over their shoulder while they are trying to work, Take candid shots of the family and friends, you wouldn't want to inter-step into someones way. Kindly accept your nieces wishes and take the back-road. Also, be sure to ask if photo's are allowed during the ceremonies, a great deal of pastors do not like having a camera clicking away and a flash going off during this time.

Busch Loc: San Diego

Mormorazzi wrote:

First, if your niece signed a contract with the pr... (show quote)

Sound advice. Thanks

Quixdraw Loc: x

I shot my son's wedding and never got in the way of the paid photogs. I stayed out of their angles and shot without a flash, though I was able to "ride" their flash in quite a few shots once I got a feeling for their timing. I had shot weddings in film days quite a long time ago. Went for the candid look along with getting moments with relatives when the Pros were setting up, when Mom was introspective, when Grandma wasn't on deck etc. You can have a great deal of fun, add a valuable dimension to the paid photos -- both because you know the folks beyond the bride & groom, and you are a free agent. Best thing, when you are the paid photographer, the stress level is fierce -- no tranks or tums for you! Your shots will be out first -- I posted them on Flicker and sent the password out to the family. Be ruthless in deleting questionable shots. Best of luck!

Busch Loc: San Diego

quixdraw wrote:

I shot my son's wedding and never got in the way o... (show quote)

Thank you much, Quixdraw. That's very encouraging.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Since there is a professional photographer, do you need to capture other than normal photos? Individuals at tables, for instance? Perhaps its those photos away from the photographer that will complement what he/she is doing. Start with the 24-70mm and switch to the 70-200mm if needed. You don't want to be juggling lenses, esp. when you're not the wedding photographer.

P.S. Take some extra photos of the parents of the bride and groom. In the future these will come to be prized photos.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Rongnongno wrote:

Yeah pester the guy who is working... That's the ticket.

Most of the wedding photographers I know would be besides themselves if they didn't have a bunch of half-witted relatives and friends running around sticking cameras and cell phones in front of them just as they squeezed the shutter. That's what adds the real adventure to the job. Of course, there is no challenge if said relatives and friends are sober.