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A Question for Wedding Photographers Only Please
Mar 11, 2018 18:04:28   #
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.

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Mar 11, 2018 18:41:41   #
blackest Loc: Ireland
 
DebAnn wrote:
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.
This summer I'll be going a long distance (by plan... (show quote)


maybe ask here http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-118-1.html its a dedicated wedding photography section

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Mar 11, 2018 19:50:23   #
E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
 
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.

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 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 daughter and your being the daddy 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 question or specifics of the venues (etc.) just let me know...glad to help!

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Mar 11, 2018 20:35:28   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
.../... SO...CONGRATULATIONS to your daughter and your being the daddy of the bride and the official photographer. .../...

Uncle. Had he been the father I would have given him a piece of my mind over his priorities.

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Mar 11, 2018 21:29:44   #
Joe Blow
 
DebAnn wrote:
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.
This summer I'll be going a long distance (by plan... (show quote)

I would take the 18-135 on the 70D, the 24-105L on the 5D and keep the 28-80 in my pocket (or nearby).

Use both cameras in case one fails. You didn't mention what flash you'll use. If it comes down to it, you may use the 70D built in flash in a pinch, but a separate flash is preferred.

I don't like having the camera too close to people's faces. It is uncomfortable and intrudes to be too close. Plus, a moderate telephoto keeps me out of the scene. What you might try for is borrow a 70-200 f2.8. That will be so useful in lower light situations and you can't argue with the glass.

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Mar 11, 2018 21:48:47   #
OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR
 
Rongnongno wrote:
Uncle. Had he been the father I would have given him a piece of my mind over his priorities.

DebAnn is an uncle?

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Mar 12, 2018 07:58:56   #
Carl53 Loc: Dallas, Ga
 
Having gone on many “away missions” over the years, and prioritizing your “light as possible” criteria, I suggest using the 24-105mm f/4L on the 5D for 90% of your images and the 55-250mm 4-5.6 IS on the 70D for reach and flavor. However, if the ceremony will be in very close quarters; such as, a living room, the 17-40mm would come in handy. Happy shooting!

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Mar 12, 2018 09:14:56   #
E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
 
Thread is no active in the "Wedding" section with correct family relationships.

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Mar 12, 2018 11:07:17   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
OddJobber wrote:
DebAnn is an uncle?

Sorry, Aunt.

Reply
Mar 12, 2018 11:10:09   #
rts2568
 
Dear DebAnn,

Canon 5D Full frame for best resolution and flexibility in Post Processing.
Canon EF 24-105mm f-4 L IS to cover the majority of field of views. Is quick and versatile. If outdoor shots then use fill-flash too.
Sigma EX 50mm – f-1.4 DG HSM For low light situations when high ISO is not, or less desired - to keep the noise to a minimum.
Perhaps a +2 & +3 CU lens to ensure you get a good photo of the ring/hands & the bokay etc.
Plus spare batteries, and memory cards. A tripod for most effective composition setups.
A clean white handkerchief to use over the flash to reduce glare etc.
The cat too of course - a bestest way to capture some brilliant smilers. From members of the party of course, not the cats.

Best of luck.

Regards

Ron

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Mar 12, 2018 11:52:20   #
DebAnn Loc: Toronto
 
Thanks E.L. Shapiro, Rongnongno, Joe Blow, Odd Jobber, Carl53 and rts2568. A lot to consider. For those who asked about venues, the wedding is near the beaches of Margaree Harbour and Belle Cote in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. There are good views of the beaches from meadows above them and we could actually go on the beach but there is a summer festival going on then so there will probably be too many sunbathers. The little wooden church is pretty, with grass around it and the little resort where the reception will be held has a board dock leading out to the sea. I am trying to get a photograph of the inside of the church so I can see it before the wedding rehearsal.

I do have a couple of canon flash units with Gary Fong diffusers and I have a good tripod. I can probably send that to N.S. with someone who will be driving there. Trying to keep equipment to a minimum definitely isn't easy.
Thanks again.
Deb

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Mar 12, 2018 12:55:25   #
E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
 
Sounds like a lovely CANDIAN location.

Do post some of your wedding images after the shoot! Looking forward to them!

Ed

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