HELP! Essential equipment?

[whoopsjenny]

Ok, I'm fairly new at photography and have done one low budget-non paid outdoor wedding...

All I have is an xTi with the kit lens, lowepro slingshot bag, 4gb memory, tripod, a mac laptop with memory card reader and a light reflector. I know I'm going to need an external flash, more memory and a couple more lenses.

But as far as weddings go can anyone point me in the right direction as to what type of lenses are essential, do I need photo filters?

Thanks in advance!!!

[Big Mike]

Don't forget that weddings are a once in a lifetime event...and if you are paid to photograph them, you had better be prepared for the eventuality that something will break or stop working. That means having at least two cameras, two flash units, two lenses (need not be the same)...etc. The list goes on.

'Fast' lenses (large max aperture) would be highly recommended...but are not essential. Filters are certainly not essential.

Sufficient knowledge and experience are not essential...but they should be.

[whoopsjenny]

I do have a back up camera, I will only take on low budget or 2nd shooter weddings for my first year at least, (maybe first 5) until I feel confident enough!

[shannyD]

big mike said it all.

they also say that a canon 85mm 1.8 is also a great wedding lens, and a 50mm 1.4 as well.
thats just what i have heard from around the way.

im not a wedding person, or a pro at all. just for hobby.

best of luck to you, and get a second everything because like big mike said. you never know when something is going to break.
shannon

[restech]

more cf card, I just don't feel 4 GB is sufficient, especially if you shoot raw, and you cover a whole-day wedding.
Last weekend I did my wedding solo (usually I have 2nd shooter with me).

I don't think you would have time to download your stuff into your laptop and reuse the cf card, since that everything will move very fast.

I will try as much as possible not to format my CF card when I am doing wedding. I am lil bit paranoid in that area hehehe

[whoopsjenny]

Do you suggest a few more 4gb cards or like 10 1gb cards? Or doesn't it matter?

[Big Mike]

It depends if you want to 'put all your eggs in one basket' or not. Large cards are good because you don't have to change them or carry a lot of them...but if you loose a card or it malfunctions...4GB is a lot of photos to loose. There is no 'right or wrong'.

[ktgiggle]

- For lenses, you would be better off with either a fast prime (as ShannyD mentioned), or constant aperature (at least 2.8 ) zoom lenses like EF-S 17-55 , 24-70 , 70-200 F2.8 (for low light condition) . Basically a combination of wide angle and telephoto / portrait lenses (85mm / 50 mm, etc.)
Rent / borrow the lenses if you can't afford them.

Also do a search for "wedding lense" in this forum, and you'll find plenty threads.

For other equipments:

- A backup body might be a good idea.

- You'll need lots of AA batteries if you use flash alot / high ceiling places (Lithium / NiMH is better > Alkaline)


Check out Tim's FAQ - a great place to start
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=255604

and I found this thread useful http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=323267&highlight=contribute

Good luck with your shooting.

Cheers,

[Jimbo24]

I prefer 4gb CF cards mainly cause I shoot RAW. I can get around 400 or so shots per card.

[picturecrazy]

Do you suggest a few more 4gb cards or like 10 1gb cards? Or doesn't it matter?

I use 2GB cards. I get about 200 shots per card on the 20/30D and about 120 from the 1D.

I have 4GB cards but I only use those at the receptions when the dance starts (not very important shots aka drunken klutzes on the dance floor)

I think 2GB is a good size. If you think that doesn't hold enough images... just wait until you have a card fail on you and see if its still too much of a bother... ;)

[tim]

I use 4GB Sandisk Extreme III cards, never had a problem with them. My other advice is in the FAQ :)