Low light shutter speeds

[Vacation]

I will be shooting a wedding next month any advice on some shutter speeds?

Also difuesers (sp) I looked at Gary Fong (i think) and another brand that started with an s (cant remember the name.

Are there any low light rules to live or die by? lol

I know the 1 1/60 rule for hand held.

[DHancock]

My experience at a wedding : if the ceilings are high and non-white (no good bounce), the GF lightsphere was about useless. I ended up using a Sto-fen style diffuser. I was shooting inside a dark winery, dark brown ceiling, 25ft high at least. The majority of these indoor shots were less than 1/60, all handheld, but the flash will stop the action. If I remember correctly, a lot of the shots were at 1/40 or less. I was on the grassy knoll (second shooter) so I don't have the images to show. Sorry.

[Vacation]

My experience at a wedding : if the ceilings are high and non-white (no good bounce), the GF lightsphere was about useless. I ended up using a Sto-fen style diffuser. I was shooting inside a dark winery, dark brown ceiling, 25ft high at least. The majority of these indoor shots were less than 1/60, all handheld, but the flash will stop the action. If I remember correctly, a lot of the shots were at 1/40 or less. I was on the grassy knoll (second shooter) so I don't have the images to show. Sorry.

Thanks for the advise! and the Guts to respond...lol I see many are avoiding this topic..lol

I must not be alone..lol

[DStanic]

What lens(ses) camera are you using?

If the ceiling is not too high (and is a neutral color) you are best to bounce! Much better than direct flash (in that case maybe a sto-fen).

[Vacation]

What lens(ses) camera are you using?

If the ceiling is not too high (and is a neutral color) you are best to bounce! Much better than direct flash (in that case maybe a sto-fen).

I have a 16-35 Canon L and a 100-400 Cannon L

I am also willing to rent a better lense if you think I should.

[Mike30D]

Rent a 70-200mm f/2.8. That way you can shoot in low light at the ceremony and still be stealthy and silent.

As for the reception, what I do is shoot in manual. I pick a shutterspeed that will stop motion and shoot pretty much wide open. I use my flash on ETTL and use my FEC all night. This is what shots look like when I do that.... (bounced flash of course and it was pretty dark in this place.)

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d97/mjbphotography123/MJBPHOTOGRAPHY1/20080607-IMG_9815.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d97/mjbphotography123/MJBPHOTOGRAPHY1/20080607-IMG_9963.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d97/mjbphotography123/MJBPHOTOGRAPHY1/20080607-IMG_9941.jpg

[Vacation]

What shutterspeeds do you usually range from?

Also I have a 30d what settings on mycamera do you reccomend?

Also if you can tell me how you set up for shots or any other advice or mistakes you made early on.

[fubarhouse]

Your shutter speed should be at least what you can hold without any movement with your hands, and it doesn't matter at all on tripod.
I think I read somewhere taht the average person can hold a camera without movement for just 1/30. So anywhere above 1/30 would be acceptable.
As mentioned above, I'd also suggest renting the 70-200L f/2.8, this way you've got your low shutter speeds and you've got great light sucking power!!!
And a powerful flash wouldn't go so bad for money at longer distances, but the 70-200 should cover this in my opinion.

[Mike30D]

What shutterspeeds do you usually range from?

For the reception? 1/80 - 1/100, maybe 1/125, at f/2.8 with the flash on ETTL. Don't shoot at anything less than 1/80 or you'll have blur from everyone dancing and moving around.
For the ceremony? Whatever I can to stop the action, usually whatever f/2.8 or larger will get me. Depends on my ISO too, that could be anywhere from 400 - 1600 for a church. They don't design the lighting for weddings

Also I have a 30d what settings on mycamera do you reccomend?

That depends on your situation, I know if I'm going from indoors to outdoors quite a bit then it's between Av and M. Av for the outdoor shots and back to M for the indoor stuff.

Also if you can tell me how you set up for shots or any other advice or mistakes you made early on.

Let me ask you this... How many weddings have you shot?? Sounds like this is your first one? If this is your first one, please make sure that the couple knows your level of experience!

Don't mess with shooting in Manual all day, you'll waste too much time and miss moments. Learn how to use Av and Tv if you need to. Learn how to use your EC and FEC. You have to be on your toes at all times. This is hard work, don't let anyone tell you that it's not. Make sure you know what the photography limits are inside the church sanctuary.
Rent the lens I suggested, an extra body, maybe a macro lens for the ring shots.
Shoot RAW and don't forget to change your ISO for the outside stuff.