Wedding Photographer on a Tight Bucket

[Midenian_Scholar]

I am doing my first wedding, and I would like to know what I should spend my budget on.

My budget is (preferably) under $250 (very tight, I know!).

The wedding is outdoors in the evening, but all the formal pictures will be taken inside.

I have:
Canon Powershot S3 IS
Canon Rebel XS
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
800w Studio Lighting Kit
Tripod

My main question is: Do I buy a better flash, more lighting equipment, or another lens? The three lenses I've heard recommended that are in my price range are the 28mm, 28-105mm, and 50mm. I am concerned about my zoom with the 18-55mm, which is so limited I get frustrated even doing portraits.

Thanks for any tips in advance!

[jacuff]

Liability Insurance!!!!


$250 won't cover buying much. You might be able to rent some equipment for $250 though.

See about renting another camera body.
The EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS or something similar.
The EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS
A Speedlite 580EX II

You could also buy the 50mm f/1.8.

[Christopher Steven b]

Having done a few small weddings and events, I would recommend buying a 50mm 1.8 and renting a 430ex\580ex and a 70-200 f/2.8 IS. A faster lens then what you have is essential, imo.

[kenshinvt]

Having done a few small weddings and events, I would recommend buying a 50mm 1.8 and renting a 430ex\580ex and a 70-200 f/2.8 IS. A faster lens then what you have is essential, imo.

I second the recommendation on the 50mm 1.8. You should be able to get that for around $100. Keep in mind too, that if this outdoor wedding takes place at a point where the sun has started going down, you probably aren't going to be able to get any shots at all with what you have right now. The 50mm 1.8 will give you a little bit more leeway, but what you really need..

.. is to rent a 430ex or a 580ex flash unit. I would also add on to that renting the EF-S 17-55 2.8 IS. Although, the 70-200 2.8 IS mentioned above would also be fine.

[form]

I hope you're not charging (much) for your wedding services.

[Midenian_Scholar]

I hope you're not charging (much) for your wedding services.

I'm charging $20 an hour just for shooting time. I'm not charging for editing time or driving time (6 hours both ways), so I think it's reasonable. It's a friend's wedding. I did her senior portrait and their engagement pictures, so they're prepared for the quality and such...

[BLURLT2]

rent the 24-70 and a flash....

[rweav72]

Tamron 2.8 zooms 17-,50 ($400), 28-75 ($290)and 70-200 ($619). I got these for less than the cost of the Canon 70-200L IS purchased back in January). Also the 50 1.8, 85 1.8 and 35 2.0 primes are more budget oriented and especially if you can rent. The XSI is a remarkable camera for a Rebel. I love my 50D as well. I also get some really good images from my XT. Get the best you can within your budget and build from there. A flash would add to this but some places don't allow it during the ceremony. That's the reason for the faster zooms and primes.

[wdwpsu]

With that tight of a budget, I wouldn't rule out the used route.
I'd probably go with the 430exii flash used for about $175 from eBay. I'd then get the 50mm f/1.8 for $100.. I know you'd be over your budget by $25. I'd also suggest leaving the monolight at home, as it'll be in the way at an event like this. Perhaps you could even sell it to offset your budget some.

[razyl]

$250?! Dude, unless you're quoting $US and living in Tanzania you really need to spend more than that to get decent gear.

[sdsviet]

first thing i do is find some really good friends and burrow their stuff if u can. i see ur budget is tight so i really wouldnt spend any money on buying stuff unless its pretty good gear u can get for cheap. if u cant find any friends with gear, i would go the renting route. backup camera is first and ur p&s can be that if u dont mind it. i myself prefer another slr but that's just me. after that just rent some decent lens and then save up for more gear. i dont know how much exactly gear cost to rent but i think if u pick up a body and 2 lens will go about $150? i could totally be wrong tho but i remember telling me it only cost him like $40 to rent a 70-200 2.8 IS.

[egordon99]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=709020

This thread gave you lots of advice. I would read it again, buy a flash, and learn QUICKLY.

An indoor wedding in a dark hall is NOTHING like shooting engagement photos at a park on a nice sunny day.

[Midenian_Scholar]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I know $250 is hard to believe and harder to stretch, which is why I posted here.

I have reserved rentals for the 70-200L IS and 430ex through CameraLensRentals.com (which I saw recommended on other parts of the forum). I'm planning on buying the 50mm shortly.

I know even with that, my stuff will not be as great as a professional wedding photographer's equipment or photos. But they asked, and I said yes, and I'm going to do the best I can with what I have. :)

[egordon99]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=719269

Take a look of the pictures in that thread. You don't want to be THAT photographer, do you? Are you able to (1)recognize the problems in those photos and (2)Know WHAT to do so your pictures don't have those faults?

[tim]

Wedding FAQ (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=255604).

[LibbyLou]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=719269

Take a look of the pictures in that thread. You don't want to be THAT photographer, do you? Are you able to (1)recognize the problems in those photos and (2)Know WHAT to do so your pictures don't have those faults?

Yikes. I'm getting scared for myself now, as I had someone beg me to do her wedding in September -- and after hemming and hawing for a while, I've finally agreed. :confused:

[Midenian_Scholar]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=719269

Take a look of the pictures in that thread. You don't want to be THAT photographer, do you? Are you able to (1)recognize the problems in those photos and (2)Know WHAT to do so your pictures don't have those faults?

I think I can confidently say I didn't do that bad. :) I posted some of the pictures on the photo sharing section.