Let me see if I understand (equipment)...

[marieD]

I DID conduct a search but I am not finding what I need. My Brother is getting remarried and has requested that I be the photographer. I just want to make sure I am thinking correctly in what equipment I will need (planning on renting).

~The wedding will be very intimate and small. There will only be about 25-30 people total and the wedding "party" will only be the B, G, BM and MH.
~There will be no church ( we are going to Lake Tahoe in May)

Taking that into consideration all I think I need is:

~a flash (since I will be renting I might as well go for the 580- right?)
~and a nice fast lens like the 24-70 f2.8. OR should I go for the 50mm 1.8. I don't know what the light situation is, but I don't think it will be that dark that a 1.8 would be required. The 50mm would be more of a toy for me since I still have the kit lens :)

I already have a70-200 f4 L lens- what situations would the tele be good?

Am I on the right track?

[tim]

Yes, get a 580EX and a 24-70 F2.8. Forget the 50mm F1.8, you'll be busy enough with one lens. The long lens might be useful for candids at the reception, but F4 is probably too slow, so i'd stick with the 24-70 F2.8. You really can shoot an entire wedding with that lens (cavet's apply, of course).

I recommend a few books in the "first wedding lessons learned" thread, you should probably read them, or some others. It's easy to do weddings badly, or to get boring photos.

[hqracer]

Hi TIm

A canon 24-70 lens? I can only see an L lens for $2500!!

Cheers
Aidan

[tim]

Yep Canon 24-70 F2.8, cost $1139 at B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home;jsessionid=DZX3wG1BWq!-263455065?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=264304&is=GREY&addedTroughType=search). That's too expensive for me, I use a Tamron 28-75, but if buying now i'd get the Sigma 24-70 F2.8, to have the wider angle. Since Marie is renting the cost of the lens isn't so important.

[marieD]

TIm-does the tamron 28-75 open up to f2.8?
**I did not realize the Canon 24-70 was a "L"**

[tim]

TIm-does the tamron 28-75 open up to f2.8?
**I did not realize the Canon 24-70 was a "L"**

Yes, it's F2.8. B&H link (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=284399&is=REG&addedTroughType=search).

[hqracer]

Tim - do you buy your stuff in from B&H? Do you get pinged for GST by customs?

[tim]

Tim - do you buy your stuff in from B&H? Do you get pinged for GST by customs?

I buy everything except camera bodies from B&H, since I want local support for those. If the order is over NZ$450 (most of mine are) then yes, you get charged GST and a small import fee. Since it's a business expense I claim back the GST and get tax credits as a percentage of the cost of the gear :)

What part of Wellington are you in hqracer? I'm right smack bang in the middle.

[hqracer]

Hmm...might have to look into that then.

Im on The Terrace during the week. Jville on weekends.