Thinking out loud....

[Nickcanada]

Hey everyone, I'm trying to sort some stuff out and sometimes it helps for me to write out my thoughts so that things seem a little clearer, if ya know what I mean. If my post seems too much like I'm a big fat complainer I'm sorry.:o

I've got a wedding coming up Oct 3rd to shoot. I was asked a few days ago and like a good little moron I said I would shoot it. It's being held in a fancy restaurant. They have private dinning rooms where the ceremony and reception will be held. No problem I've got my 35mm 1.4 to handle that! but wait that won't help me get some nice teary eyed faces during the ceremony. That's okay I was planning on getting a 85mm 1.8 some day I might as well just buy it now, eh?!

Oh, what's that you want a few portraits done? Hmmm, sounds like a nicely placed off shoe flash would come in handy... well I wanted to get a 580EX II anyway! I have been reading the Strobist blog a lot lately so hey throw it in the bin!

Then what about a second body? Damn, you can't shoot a wedding without one! so either buy a 30D for 1 000 bucks (brand new CND), (which is an excellent price up here!) I could buy Don's used 20D or I could pray that the 40D gets in town before the gig.... I would love the 40D but I don't mind using older equipment. All I really want is something to hold onto! I thought I would get use to the XT size and grip but it never happened even with the extra grip.


I should have said no to the wedding. I just don't have what I need! Or am I being dumb? Am I becoming gear obsessed? I think a part of me wanted to take the wedding just as an excuse to upgrade some gear, real mature nick. but what done is done and I must live with whatever happens next.

I'm leaning towards getting a second body first, flash second and lens third.

Well if you got through all that thanks for reading and letting me vent. :D

[swgod98]

Umm...you need a flash. Get a flash. Learn the flash. External flash is probably the most difficult thing to master on a dSLR (IMO), so make sure you spend some quality time with it before the 3rd.

A second body would be nice, but only necessary should your primary body fail. If your primary body fails, then you're SOL...get out your SD800 and try not to let the bride notice you're supposed to be the one with the BIG camera!!

You also need certain lenses...whatever you feel is necessary for the job.

Basically, I think you need all 3 things...and extra memory cards! Maybe even bring a second person (anyone you can count on that knows how to press the capture button!) to shoot with the second body. It will give you other perspectives, even if they only turn out a few good ones.

If you're getting paid big, then go all out to make sure you can get your best results. If not, then I'm sure they won't expect as much.

Good luck.

[Nickcanada]

I've got a 430 EX. I was thinking of using the second flash as an off camera background light or whatnot. The second flash would also be needed for the second body in theory. I'm sure I could get by with what I have as long as nothing goes wrong.... knock on wood.

Oh ya I forgot to mention I have a wedding to shoot in Nov too so I mean why put the purchases off any longer? Wait now I remember, it's because of my account balance. :D

thanks for the encouragement!

[NewTekBuzz]

My advice would be to go to the restaurant before hand and take some dry run shots!! spend some time there if it is local. Dont solely depend on that 1.4 to do the trick... unless this place has REALLY nice lighting.

good luck,

Tim

[adam75south]

nick there's always www.lensrentals.com

i rented the 10-22mm for 30 days. about $130. kinda a waste of money, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

[Nickcanada]

Here (http://www.lcbottawa.com/English/signatures/gallery.cfm) is the web site for the restaurant. Looks to be a nice place. I'm going to give them a call and see if I can't have a peak around.


I know I won't be able to shoot at 1.4 the entire time.... I'll try but I don't think it will work. :D

I'm going to flash the crap out of them if I can. I asked her how she feels about flash during the ceremony. Haven't heard back yet. It's going to be extremely small, only like 9 people total! It's my aunt's wedding did I mention that?

I really want to nail this one. I think I can shoot "intimate" so this is right down my ally.

About the renting. I've thought about it and I don't like the idea but if I have to I will. There is a local place that is decent. They have an 85mm 1.2 in stock.... yummy.:cool:

I'm in discussions right now with my wife.... well it's more along the lines of me groveling.... hey, ya gotta do what ya gotta do, right!

[VTEC_EATER]

There is a local place that is decent. They have an 85mm 1.2 in stock.... yummy.:cool:



I hear that 85mm has a bit of a learning curve to it, but from the reviews I have read, it sounds like an amazing piece of glass.

If I were in your place, I would buy the 580EX II now, buy more memory now, rent a 70-200IS/2.8, and leave it at that. Your 35/1.4 and your 50/1.8 will be great for the indoor stuff, the 70-200/2.8 will be great for the ceremony and outdoor portraits, and the flash(s) will be great for the low light stuff.

I assume this is your first wedding? Good thing is its family, so that helps. Not to mention, by the number of guests, I am guessing it is a second marriage? That helps too. No crazy brides who need to capture this magical moment without any flaws.

[Nickcanada]

I hear that 85mm has a bit of a learning curve to it, but from the reviews I have read, it sounds like an amazing piece of glass.

If I were in your place, I would buy the 580EX II now, buy more memory now, rent a 70-200IS/2.8, and leave it at that. Your 35/1.4 and your 50/1.8 will be great for the indoor stuff, the 70-200/2.8 will be great for the ceremony and outdoor portraits, and the flash(s) will be great for the low light stuff.

I assume this is your first wedding? Good thing is its family, so that helps. Not to mention, by the number of guests, I am guessing it is a second marriage? That helps too. No crazy brides who need to capture this magical moment without any flaws.


Ya, second wedding, she is my favorite aunt too. Very down to earth and genuine, if you know what I mean. The ceremony will be held in the same dinning room so I think the 85mm should be plenty long. I just got an email that said ceremony pictures wouldn't even be necessary! Crazy talk! I think she just doesn't want flash which is fine with me! There should be windows there, so I may not need flash. Though I will use it for the portraits.

I think I'm okay for memory I've got 5 gig worth and the wedding won't be very long. She only wants me around for the ceremony and the cocktails. No "getting ready" shots or "getting out of the car" or "bouquet toss" etc. Ahhh, I really do love my aunt!


This will be my second wedding. I shot one last fall. I think I only had my camera for a month at the time! Damn I'm crazy! Here are a few from then.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Erick%20and%20Julie/table_filtered.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Erick%20and%20Julie/IMG_9216_filtered.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Erick%20and%20Julie/IMG_9131.jpg

Damn I'm good. LOL!

[DonSchap]

Well, one of the nice things about the prosumer 20D/30D is that it will deliver an ISO-3200 shot if necessary. You just cannot get that out of XT.

Coupled with the low light capability of the 35mm 1.4L / 85mm 1.8 lenses ... you can darn near see in the dark! Even the 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM has to work to get that kind of light. An expensive 85mm f/1.2 is a little rough on candids, because of its considerable DOF capability - wide open. THat one might be better left to "experienced" hands ... or it could be fuzzy shots for everybody.

Realistically though, ISO-800 should be the max you want to have routinely, otherwise you'll be going back with noise-ninja just to fix up the shadows.

Good luck with whatever you decide, Nick. ;)

[noyjimi]

nick, i think you have everything needed for your aunt's wedding. bly the 18-50 and 35L will probably see the most use, along with the flash. would be nice to have a backup body though.

for the other wedding, if that's for someone paying you and you don't know them, you'd definitely be wise to get another body... you can try to rent a 20D/30D if your eyes are set on a 40D.