Please help me!

[mdaddyrabbit]

This is the situation, I am a everyday photographer for hobby never done any professional work, my brother approach me about his wedding and explained that he didnt have the money to pay for a professional photograher and ask would I do it.

I dont mind but I only have the 18-55mm and 70-200mm f/4 L lens so I am thinking I will need a portrait lens. With this in mind I have no idea what to purchase. I want something that will do a fair job but wont break the bank because I will not receive any pay for this. Actually doing it for a wedding present to him and future wife.

Thanks for your information.

[ACDCROCKS]

A good protrait lens for you would be a Canon 50MM 1.8.....Total cost is $79.00 AVG. It's a great lens.

[liza]

The Canon 24-70L, the Tamron 28-75, or the Sigma 24-70 would all be good lenses for wedding pics. The last two are more affordable, of course, than the L. You'll need quite a bit of memory, also.

[DaveG]

This is the situation, I am a everyday photographer for hobby never done any professional work, my brother approach me about his wedding and explained that he didnt have the money to pay for a professional photograher and ask would I do it.

I dont mind but I only have the 18-55mm and 70-200mm f/4 L lens so I am thinking I will need a portrait lens. With this in mind I have no idea what to purchase. I want something that will do a fair job but wont break the bank because I will not receive any pay for this. Actually doing it for a wedding present to him and future wife.

Thanks for your information.


The 55mm part of your 18-55 will be effectively a 88mm lens which is as perfect as you can get for a "portrait lens". What buying a 50mm f1.8 will give you is some speed, but ironically a little less reach. Anything longer than 55mm as your portrait lens could be problematic for weddings since I've found that there's rarely enough room to do portraits in a typical living room with a longer than 50-60mm prime. I may well be able to use my 24-85 lens at 85mm but what makes it truly functional is that I can pull it back to 84 or 83, and I just couldn't count on having enough room with an 85mm prime lens.

if you have an interest in macro work and expect to keep your camera for awhile then the 60mm f2.8 EF-S lens could be useful for portraits without duplication what you have now. That'd be effectively a 100mm lens, with fairly good speed as well. I also doubt if you'd find anything sharper.

[RobKirkwood]

Should be quite possible to do a wedding with just an 18-55mm kit lens and get good results.

I'd be asking myself things like what happens if my only camera body dies on the day, or my only flashgun (if I were planning on using it) ...do I have enough memory cards, or a reliable way of backing them up on the spot (plus someone to do this for me), etc..

Maybe you could hire some stuff in so you've got backups, and say a quality zoom in the 24-70 range - which would probably be more useful as main lens than the 18-55? But if you do hire in, make sure you get stuff you are familiar with - a wedding is too fast a pace for "learning while doing".

[jesusdelallata]

You already have the 70-200 f4 L. That whould be very nice and sharp. Just step back a little bit. Weddings are not easy. Spend some time reading books at Barnes & Noble or at Borders. There should be plenty of wedding photography books - especially at Borders. If you need wider, spending the $80 on the 50mm f1.8 will prove to be a great investment. If you can afford it, then the $310 50mm f1.4

[Az2Africa]

I would not get anything I didn't plan to use later. Get a rotating flash bracket if you don't have one. The 50 f1.8 is always useful. I shot a whole wedding outdoors with just a 28-135 IS and it came out very good. If it's darker, just make sure you know your flash fairly well. Relax and be willing to take control. They are often preoccupied and ya gotta make em stop and pose sometimes.:)

[tim]

Oh wow, you're getting terrible advice, mixed in with average advice. How many of the people giving advice on this thread have shot weddings commercially? Not very many looking at the advice that's been given, with some obvious expections.

The kit lens is crap, flares badly and is too slow. Ditch it. The 50mm F1.8 is crap, it doesn't focus accurately at wide apertures, don't even consider it for an occasion as important as a wedding.

The Sigma 24-70 F2.8 is my pick for you, you'll want a zoom for your first wedding. Alternately get the 50mm F1.4, I use it more than my Tamron now, it's sharper, faster, and better in pretty much every way. A backup body/flash is also very helpful, I regularly (one wedding in 3 maybe) have to reset one of my 20D's at a wedding to get it to take a shot.

If you can't afford the equipment you need to do the job properly, don't do it. Point out to your brother that you've no experience and the results will be below what he'd expect. Set the expectations low. Perhaps find a photography student to do it instead, for their portfolio.

[stupot]

the 50 1.8 is alrite for the money, its the only fast lens i have, but as tim says it does have focus issues. i wouldnt want to risk using it for a wedding as its difficult to tell you have OOF shots on a tiny camera screen. unless you manual focus of course...

i haven't used the 50 1.4 but its still quite cheap and i read it focuses well. i will be buying it in the future when ive got the other lenses i want:)

good luck

stu

edit: your wedding present to him will also be a present to you! (new lens) yay!

[jamiewexler]

I shot my first three wedding with a 300D, kit lens, 50 f1.8, and cheapo Sigma 55-200, and my results were good enough to fully book me for the rest of the year. I agree with Tim that you should set the expectations low, and then wow them with better pictures than they expect!

You didn't say whether you have a flash? That should be first on your list, along with a bracket and off-shoe cord. If there's money left over, than the 50 f1.8 is about the best bang-for-your-buck available light lens you can buy. It's the only lens from those early days that I still own (and use).

Aside from that, how prepared you are matters more than your gear. Spend some time looking at wedding photography books at your local bookstore to learn composition and posing for a wedding, then practice on your wife/mom/kids/dog - whoever is willing! It doesn't sound like you are looking to make a career of this, so have fun, take the best images you can, and I'm sure your friends will be happy!

[tim]

420EX is on her gear list.

[jesusdelallata]

Tim makes a great point. A wedding is a very serious event. You won't be able to go back and re-create it to shoot again if you mess it up. It's a one time event.

I've shot four weddings and two Quinceaneras in the last 8 months and each poses it's own set of challenges. I'm looking forward to another three I have booked for the next four months. Learn as much as possible about shooting weddings before the big day. Practice by shooting sample shots at the locations where the wedding will take place.

If you can invest some money, a good zoom in the 24-70 / 28-75 range will really help. I personally love my Tamron 28-75. These lenses are less than $400 and are really worth it.

[DaveG]

Oh wow, you're getting terrible advice, mixed in with average advice. How many of the people giving advice on this thread have shot weddings commercially? Not very many looking at the advice that's been given, with some obvious expections.

The kit lens is crap, flares badly and is too slow. Ditch it. The 50mm F1.8 is crap, it doesn't focus accurately at wide apertures, don't even consider it for an occasion as important as a wedding.

The Sigma 24-70 F2.8 is my pick for you, you'll want a zoom for your first wedding. Alternately get the 50mm F1.4, I use it more than my Tamron now, it's sharper, faster, and better in pretty much every way. A backup body/flash is also very helpful, I regularly (one wedding in 3 maybe) have to reset one of my 20D's at a wedding to get it to take a shot.

If you can't afford the equipment you need to do the job properly, don't do it. Point out to your brother that you've no experience and the results will be below what he'd expect. Set the expectations low. Perhaps find a photography student to do it instead, for their portfolio.


I disagree with a lot of that. First off this IS the kind of wedding that he should want to do to get his feet wet. The game is to play within himself. He shouldn't try - for example - to use multiple flashes, or techniques that he's heard other wedding pro's try but he hasn't. If he approaches the wedding in parts, a portrait here, a group shot there; it won't be so overwhelming.

I've done somewhere around 160 weddings and I've had no problem doing the last 15 with a Canon 24-85 F3.5-4.5, so the kit lenses' speed isn't an issue with me. I also have speed where it counts too, but that's not that big a deal. If I replace the 24-85 it'd be with the 24-105 f4L so ...

For THIS wedding I'd use the kit lens. Getting better gear is always nice but he's got to use what he's got and what he can afford. You play that game too or you'd be using the Canon 24-70 f2.8L and not a Sigma.

By the way you probably should have your 20D's looked at. I've had no problem with mine since I had Canon do their Battery Grip fix.

Here's a shot done with that 24-85. No flash, no reflectors and at f4.5.

[tim]

By the way you probably should have your 20D's looked at. I've had no problem with mine since I had Canon do their Battery Grip fix.

They haven't done anything much recently, I think Sat's wedding I didn't quite put the lens on right. Things worked better after one camera/grip was tweaked by Canon, i'll get the other done after wedding season.

You make some good points too, Dave. The gear you need depends on your style, I wouldn't like to shoot with a 3.5-5.5 lens.

[mdaddyrabbit]

Thanks for all the Advice, I am not wanting to do this as a career, my brother knows I am truely out of my expertise and doesnt expect anymore than I have to offer he is very understanding and isnt looking for a Pro job.

Basically I want to wow him and the his Misses, really show what 2 years of miscellanous shooting has taught me.

I want a flash bracket and off shoe cord along with a backup or better lens than the 18-55mm but dont know how my funds will look between now and July when he is making the jump into marriage.

Again thanks for all this advice, I am going to also look into how to pose the familys up for the shoot.

[tim]

I would get the 50mm F1.4 (or Sigma 30mm F1.4 may be better) and shoot available light on full manual most of the time... that way you can worry about composition not exposure.

[thebrewer]

I would get the 50mm F1.4 (or Sigma 30mm F1.4 may be better) and shoot available light on full manual most of the time... that way you can worry about composition not exposure.
I suspect you may have to worry about exposure when shooting full manual.:lol:

[Seefutlung]

Here some advice you don't want to hear ... don't shoot the wedding. Assuming this is a once in a lifetime event, and you have no expertise ... I'd get a few of the guests together, all pitch in and hire a good pro wedding photog as your combined wedding gift. Still take beacoup shots... but let the pro take care of the main event. My $.02

[tim]

I suspect you may have to worry about exposure when shooting full manual.:lol:

Ok, so I wasn't so clear as I could be. So long as the light isn't varying too much, meter the scene once and then you don't have to worry so much about exposure for each shot. Regularly check your histogram, if it doesn't look right then meter a neutral object again.

[RobKirkwood]

Oh wow, you're getting terrible advice, mixed in with average advice. How many of the people giving advice on this thread have shot weddings commercially? Not very many looking at the advice that's been given, with some obvious expections. You know Tim, that's quite an insult to anyone who posted suggestions - and seems to be based purely on your assessment of what is right and wrong.

The kit lens is crap, flares badly and is too slow. Ditch it. The 50mm F1.8 is crap, it doesn't focus accurately at wide apertures, don't even consider it for an occasion as important as a wedding. Disagree - with care the kit lens is capable of results that come very close indeed to the 17-40 f4 L ...but then f4 is still too slow for weddings isn't it?

The Sigma 24-70 F2.8 is my pick for you... I just sold my Sigma 24-70 f2.8 because it was too slow at locking focus in a wedding situation ...it's also a pain to switch from AF to MF if you need to.

A backup body/flash is also very helpful A backup camera is essential IMHO, not just helpful. Doesn't have to be an SLR - just some other means of making good pictures if something goes pear-shaped on the day.

If you can't afford the equipment you need to do the job properly, don't do it. It's a one-off for the original poster - not the beginnings of a career - you yourself Tim are giving out advice that is average to terrible for this particular person's situation.

[Andy001z]

Interesting thread, I am also going to be shooting a friends wedding as a favor. The couple are older and have had wedding photographers before. They CLAIM they are not looking for all the formal shots that go into a wedding album. I had taken the grooms shot serveral times before at social events and he seems happy with my results. I have said that I will do the wedding at cost and they make a donation if they like my photos. I hope that this will take some of the pressure of me. I am dead neavous about doing it, but hey we all have to start somewhere, and they are happy that I am no pro.

Good luck
Andyh

[Samiad]

I would get the 50mm F1.4 (or Sigma 30mm F1.4 may be better) and shoot available light on full manual most of the time... that way you can worry about composition not exposure.

You know Tim, that's quite an insult to anyone who posted suggestions - and seems to be based purely on your assessment of what is right and wrong.

It's a one-off for the original poster - not the beginnings of a career - you yourself Tim are giving out advice that is average to terrible for this particular person's situation.

Have to agree - and to the original poster, don't shoot in full manual mode :).

[tim]

You know Tim, that's quite an insult to anyone who posted suggestions - and seems to be based purely on your assessment of what is right and wrong.

Disagree - with care the kit lens is capable of results that come very close indeed to the 17-40 f4 L ...but then f4 is still too slow for weddings isn't it?

I just sold my Sigma 24-70 f2.8 because it was too slow at locking focus in a wedding situation ...it's also a pain to switch from AF to MF if you need to.

A backup camera is essential IMHO, not just helpful. Doesn't have to be an SLR - just some other means of making good pictures if something goes pear-shaped on the day.

It's a one-off for the original poster - not the beginnings of a career - you yourself Tim are giving out advice that is average to terrible for this particular person's situation.

Oh no, someone on the internet doesn't agree with me :rolleyes: There was a bunch of bad advice given, I call things like I see them. I also expect other people to correct me if i'm wrong or give contrary opinions if they have them, that's the great thing about forums - the wide range of opinions you get. I don't take things personally either.

I don't really care if someone's doing a wedding as a favour or as a pro, it's still someones wedding and the photos are important. When I get married i'll probably have a team of two photographers covering it, that's how much i'd care about my wedding photos, I take the same care with other peoples. I'd want my photographer to have backup equipment that was suitable to shoot an entire wedding with, not a point and shoot backup. If something can go wrong, it will go wrong.

The kit lens is fine under ideal situations, but weddings aren't ideal situations. It flares horribly under bright light sources, it's slow to focus, and it's not suitable for a wedding. I've had weddings where F1.4 @ ISO1600 was too dark to do well without flash, let alone a kit lens. Lens apertures is down to shooting style, so what you need really does vary.

Have to agree - and to the original poster, don't shoot in full manual mode :).

You're right, that's not for a wedding newbie.

[Andy001z]

Oh and just remembered... take some on the GREEN square... I know it seems like a Sin.. but at least you know the camera is taken what it thinks are best shots and your manual (p/av/tv etc) shots might all have a problem due to an oversight with setup.

[stu27]

My advice is let your instincts tell you what to do. As long as you go to the wedding rehearsal you'll know where to put yourself. Take a selection of lenses with you and try out a couple. That's the best thing to do and that's what the rehearsal is for!!! Good luck!! I'm doing my sisters wedding in August, so I know how you feel. I have a couple of weddings under my belt, but I still want to make sure I do my best for my sister.

[RobKirkwood]

Oh no, someone on the internet doesn't agree with me :rolleyes: There was a bunch of bad advice given, I call things like I see them. I also expect other people to correct me if i'm wrong or give contrary opinions if they have them, that's the great thing about forums - the wide range of opinions you get. I don't take things personally either. Sarcasm does you no favour - especially given that your original comments were a put-down to previous posters. 'Sorry' is a difficult word, but, despite what many people think, to be able to utter it is a sign of great strength (not weakness).

I have absolutely no problem with you having an opinion. However I (and I suspect some other original posters) do have a problem with the way you expressed it in this instance. If you prefaced your comments with "in my opinion", or "I think" then I'd be cool about it. Instead you launched into the thread attempting to pee over everything everyone had said ...if that's your thing, so be it - I'll just add you to my mental ignore list and move on.

[BLINN]

Tim I think you have some great advice for mdaddyrabit but for this situation I have to agree completely with Dave. The kit lens will do a fine job. I still use it once in a while for my events. Also the 70-200 with the focal lenght at 70mm is an awesome portrait lens. If this was her fifth wedding and she was really getting into it then Tim your advice would fit this perfectly. However some people just want to try weddings and then never again. MDADDYRABIT, good luck and remeber to post so we can see how it went.

[bpuppy]

I have to defend Tim here ... what was offensive about his post? Do you deny that this forum has a lot of people who do not actually shoot many weddings, or are just getting started? He didn't say ALL of the posters here are amateurs. He said a lot of them are ... which is true. It's no insult, it's the truth.

And with that in mind, one should take advice given here with a grain of salt.

The kit lens is a dog ... it's color is bad, it's slow, it's not sharp and it's junk. It's for shooting your dog in the park. You don't shoot someone's once-in-a-lifetime event with a kit lens. You shell out a little for the 50mm f/1.8 or a Sigma or Tamron f/2.8 zoom.

And the OP is saying they want to get a new lens anyway ... that's great. Why convince them that the kit lens is something it is not.

[bpuppy]

Sarcasm does you no favour - especially given that your original comments were a put-down to previous posters. 'Sorry' is a difficult word, but, despite what many people think, to be able to utter it is a sign of great strength (not weakness).

I have absolutely no problem with you having an opinion. However I (and I suspect some other original posters) do have a problem with the way you expressed it in this instance. If you prefaced your comments with "in my opinion", or "I think" then I'd be cool about it. Instead you launched into the thread attempting to pee over everything everyone had said ...if that's your thing, so be it - I'll just add you to my mental ignore list and move on.

Why should we have to preface everything with IMO?

EVERYTHING I say here is my own opinion. Why would you take it as anything else?

[bpuppy]

I want a flash bracket and off shoe cord along with a backup or better lens than the 18-55mm but dont know how my funds will look between now and July when he is making the jump into marriage.

I'd say skip the bracket ... get a good lens and a sto-fen and you're good to go.

[RobKirkwood]

Why should we have to preface everything with IMO?

EVERYTHING I say here is my own opinion. Why would you take it as anything else?
OK, fair point - my bad - I'm sorry.

[jamiewexler]

I don't really care if someone's doing a wedding as a favour or as a pro, it's still someones wedding and the photos are important. When I get married i'll probably have a team of two photographers covering it, that's how much i'd care about my wedding photos, I take the same care with other peoples. I'd want my photographer to have backup equipment that was suitable to shoot an entire wedding with, not a point and shoot backup. If something can go wrong, it will go wrong.

Obviously the couple who have asked the OP to shoot don't have as high a priority on photography as you do for your wedding. If they did, they'd pay for a pro with all the gear and experience. As it is they've asked the OP to do it. The OP sounds willing, and 1) telling the couple no, and 2) buying expensive "wedding specific" equipment, is not an option. The OP is doing a favor for a family member, and doesn't expect to shoot another wedding. Giving a family member a gift of your time and printing costs is generous enough. Giving them a $500 wedding gift (because of the cost of all the new equipment) is not something the average joe/jane is going to be very keen on!

The kit lens is fine under ideal situations, but weddings aren't ideal situations. It flares horribly under bright light sources, it's slow to focus, and it's not suitable for a wedding. I've had weddings where F1.4 @ ISO1600 was too dark to do well without flash, let alone a kit lens. Lens apertures is down to shooting style, so what you need really does vary.


Putting an expensive lens in the hands of a mediocre photographer will not make that person a better photographer. On the other hand, give a good photographer a rebel with a kit lens and watch him/her make magic. So the kit lens is prone to flare...OK, don't shoot into the sun. So slow glass isn't optimal for dark locations...that's why they invented flashes.

I shot these two pictures as a guest at a friends wedding before I "went pro" using a Digital Rebel and Sigma 55-200 DC (easily the worst piece of crap I've even soiled the front of my camera with):
http://sky.prohosting.com/jgwphoto/Wed2.jpg
http://sky.prohosting.com/jgwphoto/Wed3.jpg


50 f1.8 at my very first free wedding as "the pro":
http://sky.prohosting.com/jgwphoto/Wed7.jpg
http://sky.prohosting.com/jgwphoto/Wed12.jpg


Kit lens at my first wedding and third weddings:
http://sky.prohosting.com/jgwphoto/Wed8.jpg
http://sky.prohosting.com/jgwphoto/Wed20.jpg


Nothing that's gonna win any awards, but it made my clients happy...and they never knew that I used what many here would consider "second rate gear".

I know that I could shoot a wedding just fine using the OP's current gear, and think that she will do just fine as well. I personally would prefer to add at least a 50 f1.8 and a bracket/off shoe cord, but I could also do without. I'd wager that most of the guys and gals here could do the same if forced to (including you Tim - surely you're to good of a photographer to really think that a better lens will make you a better photog).

My advice to the OP is to worry less about your gear, and spend time before the wedding really using it to produce some nice portraits. Get an understanding of what lighting is most flattering for your subjects, and learn to tame your flash. Shoot whoever will let you in a variety of outdoor and indoor environments. Sounds like the couple is not expecting pro caliber results (else they would have hired one), so focus on creating a few nice images that capture how happy they are on their wedding day, and they'll be thrilled!


PS - Make sure you have plenty of batteries!

[bpuppy]

But the guy is asking about lenses ... !

IMO, shooting with the kit lens is MORE difficult because it's not bright and gives crappy results unless you try really hard. And it's not like this guy just got his camera and knows nothing about this stuff. A brighter, sharper lens will give better results with less effort.

And since the guy is asking about lenses, I figure it's fair game to pan his kit lens.

If he wasn't asking for lens advice, it would be uncalled for to say, "your kit lens sucks" but apparently he knows this already.

There is nothing redeeming about the kit lens except it's cheap. If you want good results, you can't shoot with it. Simple.

If you do shoot with it, your hit rate will be much lower and you won't be able to blow the photos up or crop them because they will be soft and poopy ... making them bigger will make them poopier. No doubt you can get the odd great shot with the kit lens, but a wedding's worth? I doubt it.

[tim]

You guys can all stay here and argue, flame me, I don't care, i'm too busy actually doing this stuff to argue with any of you. I stand by what I said. Thanks for the thoughts bpuppy.

[Wilt]

Having done many weddings on film with medium format, I can tell you the following lens characteristics do work quite well:

a) Focal length range of 45-90 (same as 17-34mm on 1.6 crop) with 150mm for single portraiture (same as 55mm on 1.6 crop)
b) max lens speed of f/3.5 to f/4

The 'standards' of 35mm shooting may dictate faster lenses and larger zoom range, but thousands of pros have shot weddings on MedFormat with not much different than what I described.

[DaveG]

I'd say skip the bracket ... get a good lens and a sto-fen and you're good to go.

Nope, the bracket should be manditory. Even with a Stofen you will get side shadow and that's what a bracket defeats.

[bpuppy]

Nope, the bracket should be manditory. Even with a Stofen you will get side shadow and that's what a bracket defeats.

What bracket do you recommend?

[Wilt]

Newton Bracket (available thru B&H Photo, NYC). Very light (8-12oz), very compact, very sturdy. Professional grade. Superb support by the man who makes them, Robert Newton. Have used for medium format film coverage of weddings and also with my 20D coverage at weddings.

[DaveG]

What bracket do you recommend?

I've used the Stroboframe Pro-T bracket for the last five or six years (on a Mamiya Pro-TL before the Canon's). Although it's difficult to explain, the similar and cheaper Press-T is too small to get the flash directly over the lens in the vertical postion if you are using the vertical grip. The Press-T might be OK with the camera body only, but I've never tried it since I have vertical grips on everything.

You'll need an antitwist plate and the model for the Vertical Grip is the BE1. Don't even THINK about using this bracket without an anti-twist plate, and the cork "anti-twist" pad that comes with the bracket doesn't work.

If you are using the 20D without a vertical grip you'll need the 35H anti-twist plate as well as some padding. I used a loaner 20D last summer without the vertical grip, and the 35H dug a nice scatch into the camera body. A light piece of rubber would cure that.

The other things that you'll need is the Canon Off Camera Cord II; and the proper shoe for your type of flash. I've been told that the Stroboframe comes with a "cold shoe" but I've always had to order one. Of course if you are using a Metz you'll need the synch type attachment.

The Pro-T is relatively light and I prefer it for handheld work, or where I'm using a lens with a tripod collar. But it's not good at all if your primary use is on a tripod. There's too much torque when you turn the tripod head sideways and I've both been afraid of the whole thing coming loose. I also tore the padding off of the face of a Gitzo magnesium ball head and that takes some doing.

So for tripod stuff I bought a Stroboframe RL. It's a camera rotating bracket and should make tripod work very nice indeed. It's big and heavy and won't be all that great handheld. Perhaps there is a universal bracket out there but I have yet to find one, so both of these will remain in my stable.

[LukeB]

Im with Tim, at the very least get the 50mm f/1.8, I wish I did for my first weeding.

[mdaddyrabbit]

Didn't mean to stir all this, I really dont mind doing this for my brother, I wasn't sure if I could get a sub 200.00 lens that would do me a bit more quality than the kit lens.

I never plan to go into wedding photography, I already have a career and what photo shooting I do is of my child and wife along with nature and landscape because I enjoy it.

Alos my brother is very aware of my skill level and is very satisfied with what I have to offer with my 20D and my lens, just considered purchasing something in a portrait lens, then later I can use it with my family for home purposes such as holidays and general use.

I do want to get a bracket and a off shoe cord for my 420EX flash, but with that as the lenses I have no idea what to get in my price range that will be dependable, I have no preference if its a Canon just as long as it works and is dependable.

Like I said sorry to stir all of this discussion, the only good thing this brings for everyone is to look at other peoples ideas and make your decision with what experience and info there is in front of you.

Thanks to all who took the time to contribute their vital information to help me with my event. This wedding is in July and I promise I will post some of my photos so you will see the outcome.

[thebrewer]

Im with Tim, at the very least get the 50mm f/1.8, I wish I did for my first weeding.
Huh? Didn't he say ........

The 50mm F1.8 is crap, it doesn't focus accurately at wide apertures, don't even consider it for an occasion as important as a wedding.

[jamiewexler]

Didn't mean to stir all this, I really dont mind doing this for my brother, I wasn't sure if I could get a sub 200.00 lens that would do me a bit more quality than the kit lens...Alos my brother is very aware of my skill level and is very satisfied with what I have to offer with my 20D and my lens, just considered purchasing something in a portrait lens, then later I can use it with my family for home purposes such as holidays and general use.

Your price tag makes it a bit tough, but there are three Canon lenses I've used that are pretty solid for <$200. First is the Canon 50 f1.8. At $70 new, it's usually the first prime most DSLR users buy. Mine is pretty dang sharp at f1.8 and gets even sharper as you stop it down. Second is the Canon 35 f2. I like the focal length on the 20D (liked it so much that I sprang for the f1.4 version). You can buy them used for just under $200. Finally there's the 28-105 f3.5-4.5 USM. This lens goes for around $150 used on EBay. I bought one after reading great reviews on it, and they were right. I use it as a walkaround for random family events on my XT and it always gives my "L's" a run for their money!

[tim]

I've used the Stroboframe Pro-T bracket for the last five or six years (on a Mamiya Pro-TL before the Canon's). Although it's difficult to explain, the similar and cheaper Press-T is too small to get the flash directly over the lens in the vertical postion if you are using the vertical grip. The Press-T might be OK with the camera body only, but I've never tried it since I have vertical grips on everything.

You'll need an antitwist plate and the model for the Vertical Grip is the BE1. Don't even THINK about using this bracket without an anti-twist plate, and the cork "anti-twist" pad that comes with the bracket doesn't work.

If you are using the 20D without a vertical grip you'll need the 35H anti-twist plate as well as some padding. I used a loaner 20D last summer without the vertical grip, and the 35H dug a nice scatch into the camera body. A light piece of rubber would cure that.

The other things that you'll need is the Canon Off Camera Cord II; and the proper shoe for your type of flash. I've been told that the Stroboframe comes with a "cold shoe" but I've always had to order one. Of course if you are using a Metz you'll need the synch type attachment.

The Pro-T is relatively light and I prefer it for handheld work, or where I'm using a lens with a tripod collar. But it's not good at all if your primary use is on a tripod. There's too much torque when you turn the tripod head sideways and I've both been afraid of the whole thing coming loose. I also tore the padding off of the face of a Gitzo magnesium ball head and that takes some doing.

So for tripod stuff I bought a Stroboframe RL. It's a camera rotating bracket and should make tripod work very nice indeed. It's big and heavy and won't be all that great handheld. Perhaps there is a universal bracket out there but I have yet to find one, so both of these will remain in my stable.

I find my 20D with grip and Pro-T isn't a good combination. The bracket pressed on the side of my finger when I use the vertical shutter release.