couple of weddings ( what kit)

[santana007]

hi guys

i have a couple of weddings to do + a presentation day for HBOS. i have a canon 350d that will be on a tripod and i will buy a second body to capture to informal shots.
the rest of my kit is
a canon 100 to 400 lens ... not much use for a wedding
a sigma 70 to 300 .
a sigma 28 to 80
a speedlight 580ex flash
and filters

my budget is around £1000 but will stretch to £1500 if i need to the additional camera is separate as i already have cash aside for that.
i will go for another 350d or 400 not to sure as yet

cheers

santana007

[Astaroth]

Whos wedding is it? Are you being paid for it?

Generally wedding photographers will have 5D bodies, 80mm 1.2L, A wide angle (or maybey the 24-70L) and the 70-200L (probably the 2.8 IS).

Given you dont get a second chance for anything and for the couple it is probably one of the most important days of their lives most will have at least 2 of everything (I know more than one wedding photographer that takes 3 bodies as he has had 2 fail on one day)

[stevegreen]

Radiohead is your man for this question.

You will probably need faster lenses than what you have at the moment I would guess as your fastest is f/3.5 which is probably not quick enough by a long stretch. The flash will obviously help though.

[santana007]

cheers guys,
no pressure then

1 wedding is a favour for a family member, the other is for my next door neighbours brother . i did some at there wedding that they were very happy with . when he saw them he asked if i would do his.
as i say i know i`ll need better lenses, just want to know what is out there.

i know there will be people that take better photo`s , but you have to start somewhere.
i`m a househusband , so if i can make a little cash it will help out. not doing the first one until july . so time to get some new kit and get used to it

santana007

[Radiohead]

Originally Posted by santana007

i have a couple of weddings to do + a presentation day for HBOS. i have a canon 350d that will be on a tripod and

Are you doing these as the primary shooter on the day (for the weddings)?

The first thing I'll say is that it's a very different thing to taking a camera as a guest and getting shots people are pleased with. The pressure can be immense, and you have to know exactly what you're doing and what lens to use when, and be able to grop it and move to something else with 30 seconds notice. You will always get something thrown at you on the day that you weren't expecting. Take the tripod but don't expect to use it much. The 350D wouldn't be my first choice but it'll do if need be. However....

Originally Posted by santana007

i will buy a second body to capture to informal shots.

I'd rent a couple of 5D bodies......saves you a fortune.

Originally Posted by santana007

the rest of my kit is
a canon 100 to 400 lens ... not much use for a wedding
a sigma 70 to 300 .
a sigma 28 to 80
a speedlight 580ex flash
and filters

The 100-400 might be of some use for candids if light is ok. The 70-300 probably won't as it's pretty slow. You'll need to hire a second 580EX as well. Don't rely on one of anything. Hire some fast glass - the 35/1.4L and 85/1.2L are shatteringly good for weddings, but the much cheaper 85/1.8 and 35/2 will do on a budget, the 50/1.4 is a must on a 5D (or the 50/1.2L if you're feeling flush. The L's aren't cheap to buy - £850 for the 35/1.4, £1000 for the 50/1.2L and £1500 for the 85.12L alone. I'd also try and hire a 70-200/2.8L IS as it's hugely versatile for weddings and can be a lifesaver in a dark church during the ceremony (where you probably won't be allowed near the alter or to use flash).

Buy stacks of CF cards - if you're covering from make-up to first dance you can expect in excess of 800-900 shots to take home. Buy 2 or 4GB cards rather than 1 8GB so you're not risking a single point of failure. Buy spare batteries for the camera and masses of AAs for the flashes. Take more than you need of everything as you will need them .

3 days before the wedding clean, and check every item of your kit allowing you time to replace should anything not be working. Do it the next day, and the next day and on the morning of the wedding. Then check it all again. Write a checklist of everything to take and use it. Get a list of all the formal shots you need. If you are being paid for these, make sure you know exactly what your couple want from you, and that they know what you'll be doing. Use the best man and ushers for the formals, and you will need to shout and take control for the big group shots.

Originally Posted by santana007

my budget is around £1000 but will stretch to £1500 if i need to the additional camera is separate as i already have cash aside for that.
i will go for another 350d or 400 not to sure as yet

cheers

santana007

If you hire for these you'll know whether it's something you want to do. Some people shoot one wedding and never do another because of the pressure. I love them. I can't shoot sports like Bristol Pete.

So, hire a pair of 5D's, a 35/1.4L, a 50mm (or buy this), an 85mm and a 70-200/2.8 IS.

If this sounds liek a lot of grief that's because it is. As has been said, you get no second chances at weddings so have to believe you can do it. You must know your kit inside out and be able to change settings in a flash (geddit?). ISO will be your best friend, and if you haven't learnt Canon's flash system start now and practice in rubbish light. You'll be using it all day long and in bright sunlight as well as the dark evening. Shoot RAW to minimise the risk of WB and exposure errors.

[santana007]

cheers guys

and special thanks to radiohead

i will be the main photographer at both weddings, the first is my brother in-laws sister. she has seen some of my photo`s and liked them .and asked if i would do the wedding.
also there is a level of what people want ,expect and can afford. i wont be doing loads of weddings ! more portraits than anything they are more forgiving , if they Dons`t look right it on the p.c its just a case of take some more.

many thanks for the info on the kit i have looked around today. i would love the 5d and may yet go for one , but i have to be sure i would use it at that price.
better glass is a must and that will be where i will place my first big out lay.
the good news is my wife gets her bonus and we have HBOS shares to cash in march so i now have more cash if i need it

god shes good to me

i have looked at a number of websites today with people that say the are photographers. well most of what i see on this forum is far far better.
i have a presentation day and night in may for HBOS ! not as much pressure to get that spot on , but good practice in low light .
the first wedding is July and the other September. i`m sure with the right kit i can Handel it if not it`s a one way ticket to cuba ..

again Radiohead many thanks for all your help it is greatly appreciated

santana007

[Radiohead]

No probs - invest in glass and you can hire bodies if need be.

[Pinocchio61]

I did wedding photography years ago and used medium format,(Bronica SQ) i carried 2 bodies 4 lenses and several film backs plus 2 flashguns.
As Radiohead said you only get one chance at weddings so you need the extra equiptment for backup, and be confident in what your doing and have confidence in using your equiptment.
What i did was to visit the couple two weeks before the wedding to ask if there was any particular shots they wanted, for example long lost relatives that they havn't seen for a long time.
On the day of the wedding i always took somebody with me to help me organise the guests that were needed for the photo's. I also enlisted the help of the best man and any ushers, as they more often than not know the family members.
If it's in a church ASK the vicar beforehand, what you are allowed to do in terms of shots during and after the ceremony in the church and grounds, i once got on the wrong side of a vicar and got no photo's in or around the church, i learned my lesson the hard way that day.
A good book for you or anyone thinking of wedding photography is FUJI PROFESSIONAL WEDDING & PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY, it gives some sound advice,ideas and ideas for posing shots from top wedding photographers.

Last thing i will say is carry lots of spare batteries, your camera and flashgun are no good to you if your batteries are dead.

Pinocchio AKA Andy

[Radiohead]

Originally Posted by Pinocchio61

What i did was to visit the couple two weeks before the wedding to ask if there was any particular shots they wanted, for example long lost relatives that they havn't seen for a long time.

That's a good point and one I missed. I always meet a couple before I do their wedding, usually a couple of months in advance (and will often take some shots of them at that time). They know you on the day then, and it helps relax them.

[santana007]

cheers guys

the first couple are calling round in the next week or so . i have some studio gear hear so i am going to do there portraits.

thought it would be a nice touch.

thanks for all your help , it really does help cause i think there is always something you think you would have forgotten

santana007

[petrolhead]

Good luck

Let us know how you get on and if its ok with the people you are photographing a few example shots

[barongreenback]

If you're serious about getting into social photography, a mate of mine has been on the Annabel Williams course. It seems like a lot of cash but he's found it invaluable in terms of not only looking at how you take your shots, but also about marketing your business.

http://www.annabelwilliams.co.uk

Her wedding book is pretty good too.

[ush flynn]

the only problem with hiring is the deposit which is 100% of the equipment cost. So a pretty big initial outlay even though you will get 98% of it back afterwards it can be a bit restricting.

Unless anyone knows of another place which doesnt need such a hefty deposit?

[tomson]

if you are considering hiring cameras then make sure you're fully familiar with them before the day. You don't want to be fighting with the things during the shoot - there'll be enough pressure on you as it is - and if you know your equipment inside-out you can concentrate on composing the shots and getting the best out of the day. It's hard work but it can be great fun.

[santana007]

Cheers again guys,

i think i will buy as much as i can new of maybe second hand.
and barongreenback thanks for the link i have looked all over the internet looking for a good course . nice to see on that has been recommended

thanks so much for all your imput it is very much appreciated.
i am at this moment working on my website with the help of my P.A other wise know as my wife Alyson. she has put together many presentations for hbos where she is a manager , she will also help organize people on the day.
as soon as the website is ready i`ll post it and hopeful get some good feedback , but all comments will be taken on

santana007