Wedding equipment.

[Dubsta]

What is the ideal gear for doing weddings? I have been told I should start doing them, and people keep pressuring me...

I now own the 300D, the 50mm 1.8 and the kit lens - 18-55?

I'm picking up the 580 flash...and have been told the 17-85 lens would be the best...

What are your opinions? Any helpful information would be great...hopefully get a few gigs then get into the 1D!

[Maureen Souza]

I'm using the Tamron 28-75/2.8, the 50mm/1.4 and the 75-300 mm, plus whatever I can pilfer off my hubby's stash.

[robertwgross]

You can do the job with that camera. I recommend a few things.

First, you want an external -EX flash unit. Something like 580EX, 550EX, 420EX, or something completely compatible. The flash unit should be on a flash bracket, which is basically a handle to hold both the camera and the flash. You'll need the correct off-camera shoe cord to connect the camera to the flash.

Lenses? In general, you'll use a lens with an effective focal length of 50-75mm (figure in the 1.6 factor). For large family group shots, you'll need something wider than that, like 28mm. I had to shoot some really large groups at a wedding, and I had to go to 20mm for that, so you have to find out in advance how large the groups will be.

Once in a while, I will use a long lens for candid shots at the wedding reception. So, something more like 150-200mm works there.

---Bob Gross---