Is this gear enough to shoot a wedding?

[Menelaus]

I have been asked to shoot a wedding for some folks that would otherwise not be able to afford a photographer. I have plenty of outdoor shooting experience (even engagement pictures), but have never really ventured into indoor shooting.

I just got a 430ex II for Christmas, and my gear is in my sig. I don't have any hesitation about the body, but I wonder if the Tamron would really be fast enough for a wedding environment.

I also don't have a mono or tripod.

I've never shot for a fee before, and now I'm getting more and more offers thrown at me. I'm not the most confident photographer in the world, but I'd like to be able to make these folks happy. If you wouldn't mind, take a look at my flickr (linked in my sig) and let me know if you think I'm not up for the challenge of a wedding.

Thanks for any and all comments. :D

[collierportraits]

There are at least 100 threads covering this topic, so I gently suggest that you peruse these. Overall, the answer to your question is yes. You can. However, as you peruse these other threads, you will notice a strong suggestion of having backup equipment and doing a LOT of research on wedding photography and possibly trying to second shoot a wedding before this one. Can you help another photog and learn from them, perhaps? A buddy that does this professionally?

What are the B&G's options? Do they have a plan B?

Here is one of those threads:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=627418

[Damian75]

I think you are ok on gear though I might suggest if you can borrow another body from someone just to have for backup. I would meet with the B&G and get a shot list or check online for a sample list and possibly a sample contract even though you are doing this pro bono you should have yourself covered. Looking at the engagement shots on your flicker it looks like you have a pretty good eye so I think you should be fine just keep it simple and solid.

[form]

You have bare minimum equipment: 1 camera, standard zoom, okay prime, basic external flash - the telephoto zoom is not necessarily moot but ISO1600 being a bit noisy on the 400D and f/4 being the max aperture on your 70-200 the usefulness indoors will be very little, I think.

Two bodies, standard zoom, better fast prime and more powerful flash would be better.

Still better, two bodies, standard zoom, fast wide zoom, good fast prime, fast telephoto, and more powerful flash.

Learn to bounce flash very fast, shoot in RAW, buy extra CF cards and batteries, and do an excessive amount of prayer.

[tim]

Gear - just barely enough, but you'll want backups. Given your portfolio though you don't have the experience to do a great job. I'm sure you can cover it, but probably not do it justice.

If it's you or nothing - do it.

[Menelaus]

There are at least 100 threads covering this topic

Sorry, I was originally searching around the C&C wedding forum, not realizing that this one existed.

Thanks to everyone for their honest opinions. :D

[samnz]

As others have said, you have the bare essentials to shoot a wedding - as a primary photographer. As a second shooter you'll be fine. When you get serious about your commitment to weddings, you'll soon learn to appreciate the 'backups' everyone talks about. You WILL experience failures and hiccups, whether your gear is old OR new. At least if you have a second body (old OR new) ... you have a second body! ...lens or - whatever.

I've done a few weddings with the Tam 28-75 on a 1.6 crop. Yes it is quite constricting and takes a lot of planning ahead (where to place groups when shooting indoor receptions etc). However, I strongly recommend the EF-S 17-55IS. It takes care of those tight areas and larger groups. I also found my post processing time was cut down - keeper rate higher...and my confidence a mile higher!

Unfortunately the 70-200 F4 was hungry for light. So as soon as the sun started to go down, it wasn't long before I was putting the lens away for the night.

Start working on the 'confidence' arena. Talking to people is fine...however you need them to feel confident in YOU. You'll be surprised how many clients will confide in you for direction and opinions.

[randplaty]

as everyone has already said...

backups

[yuriyo923]

As Tim said, if it's you or nothing do it. Your

Tammy will be a little long on your 400D. If you can, trade for something like Sigme 17-70, that will also give you faster lens wide open at 17mm. I used to have Tammy 28-75, it's a good lens, a little noisy. I have 17-55 IS and love it. Don't worry about your 70-200 f4, you might not use it indoors much.

Good luck!