Weddings/portraits $1000 to spend

[AKPakrat]

Can you folks tell me what $1k will buy in a two head system? This is just a hobby for me, but I've been "Volunteered" to photograph two weddings this summer! Help! Besides...what better excuse to buy new toys?

[Woogie]

$1K for lights just for two weddings? Why don't you just rent the lenses for those two days? I'd take that money and put it into speedlights and triggers.

[Damian75]

While speedlights can be a good portable alternative for experienced strobe users I would not look to that to start my investment in studio lighting the recycle time and the fact they are not designed for heavy use like studio strobes I stopped trying to use them after frying a 540 speedlight after getting fed up with the slow recycle time I hooked a quantum pack up which fixed the recycle time but quickly burned out the speedlight. I would look at something like this http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/EL3005/ Elinchrom make great monoblocks and it gets you into one of the best lines of light modifiers to grow with when you want to upgrade. You can also add skyport triggers http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/EL3545/ combined you are looking at about $1100 and would be a great starting kit.

[Cathpah]

I'd have to say two 580 EX's (I or II), 2 off-shoe flash cords, and 2 flash brackets. This is assuming you're shooting with two bodies at the wedding....which you should be, in case one camera dies and to keep lens changes to a minimum.

If you have any money left over, then deal with triggering those flashes off camera (pocket wizards, st-e2, whatever route you choose) and light modifiers (stofens/lumiquest promax/tupperware/etc)

[tim]

Strobes aren't required for weddings, and if you're new to weddings could actually get in the way. I suggest you invest in education and more portable equipment.

[tnicol]

Strobes aren't required for weddings, and if you're new to weddings could actually get in the way.
Tim...could you elaborate on this. I find most of my wedding clients want traditional group portraits in the church after the ceremony. What's your suggestion for lighting if not strobes?

[zelseman]

I have seen a few wedding photogs take trad. group shots with ambient in some well lit churches. On the other hand i have seen people bounce on camera flash to get smaller groups as well.

[phsv]

Thats a very good lighting kit from Calumet. I am still on the fence about getting something like this or jumping on some Alien Bees. Either way I have read that you can not go wrong with either of them.

What are you planning on using the two light system? Are you thinking of using them for portraits or during the event to raise the ambient?

I guess it really depends how you want to use them.

[sapearl]

You can do traditional group shots in churches and other darker venues with a single 580ex. I do it all the time. With the proper exposure settings and balance with ambient the results can be extremely pleasing. If you go this route, get rechargeable batteries also. They refresh quite quickly and give excellent service as compared to the throw-away AA's.

Granted, multiple lights, umbrellas, etc. can give superior results with a lot of experience and training but they'd likely just get in the way and slow you down at this point. - Stu

[Damian75]

I think the OP is getting alot of good points of view but lets not forget the OP was asking about 2 head kits and it sound like the 2 weddings that the OP was volunteered for sound like an excuse to spend the money and get in to studio lighting.

[cdifoto]

I think the OP is getting alot of good points of view but lets not forget the OP was asking about 2 head kits and it sound like the 2 weddings that the OP was volunteered for sound like an excuse to spend the money and get in to studio lighting.
Could be, but OP didn't say that's the case.

If I was volunteered to shoot a wedding, I'd be doing it on the smallest budget possible. I certainly wouldn't be spending a grand on some studio strobes.

[Damian75]

Could be, but OP didn't say that's the case.

If I was volunteered to shoot a wedding, I'd be doing it on the smallest budget possible. I certainly wouldn't be spending a grand on some studio strobes.

Besides...what better excuse to buy new toys?

Ugh I think they did. Just trying to keep the thread to the OP's question.

[cdifoto]

OK nevermind. I swear that statement wasn't there when I first read the opening post. :lol:

[tim]

Tim...could you elaborate on this. I find most of my wedding clients want traditional group portraits in the church after the ceremony. What's your suggestion for lighting if not strobes?

I've only had to do them once in 4-5 years of weddings, it was a couple of years ago and it was a wet day, and I did use strobes. I'd forgotten that people even do that any more. These days i'd probably just use speedlites and ISO800.

You can do traditional group shots in churches and other darker venues with a single 580ex. I do it all the time. With the proper exposure settings and balance with ambient the results can be extremely pleasing. If you go this route, get rechargeable batteries also. They refresh quite quickly and give excellent service as compared to the throw-away AA's.

A CP-E4 battery pack (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/498738-REG/Canon_1947B001_Compact_Battery_Pack_CP_E4.html/BI/2312/KBID/3114) is pretty much essential for people using Canon flashes much IMHO. Recharge time drops from 7s to 2s, give or take.

[tnicol]

Thanks a lot Tim. I seem to do the church formals at every wedding and use a couple 285s in umbrellas, not studio strobes, but strobes nonetheless. You're right, they can get in the way, but I like the result better than a single on-camera flash.

[cdifoto]

Thanks a lot Tim. I seem to do the church formals at every wedding and use a couple 285s in umbrellas, not studio strobes, but strobes nonetheless. You're right, they can get in the way, but I like the result better than a single on-camera flash.
I'm pretty sure what tim meant by "get in the way" is slow you down as you figure them out if you don't know what you're doing. As you know, weddings move relatively quickly with no time to trouble-shoot or learn on the job.

[tim]

I partly meant not knowing what you're doing, but partly mean it takes time to set up strobes, get them metered, then tear them down again.

[cdifoto]

I don't find it takes all that long. Formals at the front of the church are still pretty important around here. A time honored tradition if you will.

[D Smith]

Jeez, it's a wedding after all, show up on time, meter your strobes, and takes some great shots! I prefer studio strobes over on camera flash any day. Plus the recycle time stomps any on camera flash I've ever used, (just enough to capture a few highlights and help with the blinkers.) I'm a big fan of Photogenic, but Calumet/Bowens is great, and they offer some portable power options as well. Also check out Alien Bees, I've never personally used them, but I know many studios that are extremely happy with them, and their customer service is near legendary in quality. Sure the setup and tear down is a bit more arduous, but you have alot of options and they will serve as great studio strobes in a fixed location in the future as well.

[sapearl]

Completely agree - people actually "attack" me with itemized lists of family, friends and bridal party.

This is actually good as they are reasonably organized, plus these are the money shots ..... especially those with grandparents and other elderly family members. I get fair amount of reprint orders on these group shots.

I don't find it takes all that long. Formals at the front of the church are still pretty important around here. A time honored tradition if you will.

[tnicol]

]Formals at the front of the church are still pretty important around here. A time honored tradition if you will.
I'm glad to hear this. Judging by other forums I was beginning to think my clients were anomalies. Almost all seem to want traditional group portraits in front of the church, some with lists, some without, but I agree, having a list can be a good thing even though the process is often still trying. Back to the original question, I ran across this last night. I don't endorse it, but it looks reasonable http://www.alienbees.com/digi.html. I still use two Vivitar 285s in umbrellas, but recharge time is an issue.

[SuzyView]

I always get asked to shoot in front of church and temples, so it's a must. But I don't use anything more than 2-3 speedlites and portable stands and umbrellas. It's hard enough to keep track of those things. But if this is for free, really consider how much you will use that kind of equipment. I have 4 softboxes in a closet, I don't take out much because it's not something I use, but glad I have it. So, money vs. usefulness even at weddings and events. You can always do off camera lighting with just one stand and one flash with a cord.

[sapearl]

Absolutely not. Your clients are not anomalies - very often this is one of the last times (unfortunately) that aging and infirm relatives are able to get together with the family, or even come out in public.

Sad to say, but I can't tell you how many times b/g's have told me about grandpa Joe having passed away just a couple of months after the wedding and they were so happy to have the family group photos of everybody smiling together. These are shots that truly become treasures that people cherish and show their kids.

Along with the infamous list though, I always INSIST that the b/g appoint a "director's assistant" to help me arrange the correct people. We photographers are great at what we do, but since nobody is wearing a name tag we really don't know who the principles are. I still direct and arrange, but the "assistant" will get the right folks :D. This is also a great CYA.

I'm glad to hear this. Judging by other forums I was beginning to think my clients were anomalies. Almost all seem to want traditional group portraits in front of the church, some with lists, some without, but I agree, having a list can be a good thing even though the process is often still trying.......

[Zansho]

I've used a couple of Norman 200B's with great success. Decently powerful, pretty quick recycling time and can be had on Ebay for under 200 if you look around. They're pretty user friendly - 3 power settings, with a silver reflector on them that you can adjust to widen/narrow your beam of light. You can also shoot them bare bulb if that's something that tickles your fancy.

I've used them so many times that I can pretty much gauge where I need to place them, fire off a few quick shots, chimp from there and carry on. The only real major downside is that they are a bit heavy - especially the battery that comes with them.