Must have equipment for Wedding Photography

[raveelement]

Hey guys, I have a 40D and am planning on getting a used 5D and using the 40D as backup. I am also buying the 580EXII flash.

What else would I need to cover a wedding or most events like parties?'

As far as lenses I have so far: 17-40 F4 L, 50 1.8

[ChrisRabior]

As anyone here will tell you, the backup body is probably the most important thing of all, so it's good that you're jumping into that first. Most will also tell you that you need backups for all your lenses as well. You only need to have something fail once to understand why that's so true.

I don't shoot weddings, but I've been to a truckload lately, and I've had my camera at a few to learn the ropes for the chance I might one day get into it (being that I've been asked several times). Most of the good wedding photographers I've bumped into have been shooting with 28-70mm and 70-200mm f/2.8L glass, often with a nice fast prime (50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8, etc). Speedlites on both bodies, but for the most part relying on existing light. And the occasional fisheye/UWA lens for the creative/ultra wide/distortion shots. I've also seen a few that have had a pair of strobes on battery packs with some decent sized umbrellas for the big group portraits as well.

If I had to bail out a friend whose photographer cancelled last minute, I'd be taking both bodies, my 430EX and a borrowed 580EX, 11-16mm f/2.8, 18-50mm f/2.8, a borrowed 85mm f/1.8, and buying a 50-150mm f/2.8 to get me through the day. If they were available, I'd also consider borrowing some of my dad's AB800 strobes for the wedding party shots. Last but not least, I'd hope to con one of my friends into going along for the ride. Never hurts to have a set of helping hands, particularly a set that's capable of helping out with the photography.

Equipment aside, I wouldn't dream of taking on a wedding until I'd prepared for, shot, done post processing, and helped deliver to get the hang of everything for at least one or two weddings as an assistant. Biting off more than you can chew is a bad thing when the bulk of wedding work comes from referrals. Don't want to drive away future clients by not being prepared to shoot your first.

[R_Metzel]

Hey guys, I have a 40D and am planning on getting a used 5D and using the 40D as backup. I am also buying the 580EXII flash.

What else would I need to cover a wedding or most events like parties?'

As far as lenses I have so far: 17-40 F4 L, 50 1.8

Thats a good start... You will need something on the long end too. While I can preach L glass all day long, their is nothing wrong with using a sigma 70-200. While Canon and Nikon own the market, their are still tons of high end, wish you could be that good pro's shooting full sigma, pentax, tokina, etc... setups. Having the best glass will not make you a better photog.

I would also invest in a mid range lens, tokina, sigma, or a tamron. While some say get the uber good glass the first time around, some glass is better then no glass!

Try and stay with lenses 2.8 or faster if finacially viable. Look into used gear on the forum here for some really good deals. I have 2 L lenses in my setup, that is it. The rest of the glass works just fine. While I would love to have an entire L setup, I can't warrant spend 10k plus in glass when what I have does the job extremely well.

The 50 1.8 is a great lens, but focus will struggle a bit in low light. Try and find a good deal on a 50 1.4 for better focus performance and build quality. I also recommend the 85 1.8, I use that lens a lot and its stupid sharp.

I bought a macro lens for ring shots and detail shots, nice to have, but not a must have imo. You can just get extension tubes and use the 50mm. I did it for about a year, worked just fine.

I would recommend an extra flash... I have had one act up at a wedding from moisture in the air after a heavy rain...

A good tripod... manfrotto/bogen setups are highly recommended and very affordable. Ballhead is the best way to go IMO.

Hope that helps a bit. Check my gear list to see what I am shooting with... all bought for under 10k... and its already paid off and turning a profit....

[randplaty]

How much do you have to spend? Hehehe

If it's must have... I'd probably say you're good with what you have once you get your 5D. You probably want a backup flash. You probably want something longer like a 70-200 .. but those are expensive and I wouldn't get any f4 lenses. Try picking up an 85 1.8 or the 135L if you can afford it. If not... just shoot with what you got.

[ruchad1]

this place has some good reads on the subject.http://www.ptphotographer.com/

[mezorn26]

I have had 50K+ worth of equipment with me add many, many weddings..

Mark III 1ds
Mark III
50mm 1.2
85mm 1.2
24-70mm 2.8
14mm 2.8
70-200mm 2.8
200mm f/2
24-105 f/4
16-35mm
15mm 2.8 fisheye
135mm f/2

Flashes, studio strobes
and on and on.....

I end up just using the two mark III's 24-70mm, 70-200mm and on occasion the 200mm f/2..

other than that, I don't need the other stuff..

[camerageorge]

Another vote for a second flash and a low light telephoto!

[alt4852]

70-200 2.8L. =)

[form]

High degree of variability depending on how you think, but lots of people including myself depend mostly on the f/2.8 standard zoom for 75% or more of their shots. In my case I think many of the shots I get with primes are better, but I can't afford a wide angle prime so the only prime shots I get are 85mm and beyond, close-up shots.

[viet]

At a minimum, camera + lens cover from wide to 200mm tele, flash, batteries, memories and a complete backup set of the same.

My rule of thumb? I have enough to shoot at least 2 weddings simultaneously if needed, often my gear can be used to shoot 3.

[Rokkorfan]

Read this: How to photograph a wedding - Lesson 3 : Equipment (http://www.rokkorfiles.com/Wedding101-page3.html)

[tim]

Wedding FAQ (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=255604). Read what Rokkorfan wrote too it's great information.