XS for Wedding Candids

[bklyn119]

I'll be shooting candids of my sister's August wedding (no worries - she's hired a pro and I'll stay out of his/her way.) It's an afternoon service with an evening reception.

My budget gear:

Canon XS
18 - 55 IS kit lens
50 1.8 mk2
85 1.8

I plan to shoot continuous mode. Would I be better off at 1.5 fps Raw or 3.0 fps JPEG?

And I have a 430exII but don't plan to bring it (unless you all think otherwise.)

Thanks.

[tim]

RAW, single shot as the autofocus is more accurate. You totally need the flash, direct if it's bright sun, bounced inside if it's dark. Inside at night use the 18-55 wide open, manual mode, say 1/100th ISO1600, flash pointed up and slightly forward perhaps. Outside Av or P mode, ISO as required, let the camera worry about it just keep an eye on the histogram.

[SuzyView]

Shooting continuous mode is mainly for sports or fast action. How close are you going to be from your subjects? I would choose the 85 1.8 for most of the candids. Bring the flash anyway. You may need it. Shoot RAW, center focus, center weighted metering. Try ISO 800 if indoors no flash. If you have flash, let the camera decide a few things.

[bklyn119]

I originally planned to use the 85 1.8 but Tim brought up some good points. Perhaps use the 18-55 at the beginning of the church and reception for a few group shots, then switch to the 85 as people start to loosen up?

My only thought was the pro would be doing groups. Maybe I can do groups of the others when s/he is doing the wedding party? Are guests usually receptive to having their photos taken in set pieces?

[tim]

If someone asks you to take a photo of them and a friend and you have an 85 on the camera you'll have to be quite a way back to get it. I do reception shots with the 17-55, except during speeches.

[SuzyView]

When you said candids, I interpret that as shooting people while they are not looking or knowing you are shooting at them, but I understand the point of having the 17-55. That is a wonderful lens for weddings. It's just my experience that shooting with a flash takes a little practice, but you should be good with the 430. Take it! You may decide it's worth it. I use a diffuser when I'm that close to the subjects, though. I don't like harsh light.

[bklyn119]

Yes, my initial plan was to photograph people while they did not know but now you've both convinced me to shoot with the 17-55 as well. Since I have only one body I don't want to constantly change lenses, so I'm trying to wrap my brain around when during the day I should swap out.

Btw thanks for not judging my budget gear. The XS does not get a lot of love around some of these Canon boards and I appreciate you guys helping me work with the equipment I have.

[jgoodstein]

Yes, my initial plan was to photograph people while they did not know but now you've both convinced me to shoot with the 17-55 as well. Since I have only one body I don't want to constantly change lenses, so I'm trying to wrap my brain around when during the day I should swap out.

Btw thanks for not judging my budget gear. The XS does not get a lot of love around some of these Canon boards and I appreciate you guys helping me work with the equipment I have.

Don't apologize, You have equipment that has the same MP rating or higher then the 10d, 20d, 30d, and matching the 40d. So crop wise your fine. I've seen amazing pictures from the XS, and I even prefer my XSi over my 40d most of the time. +1 to everything that Tim and Suzy say... They know their $#|+ !!!

[halitime]

When I shoot candids I've found that a lens such as a 70-200 works very well so you may want to borrow or rent a longer lens than what you have.

[bklyn119]

100% I'm taking Tim and Suzy's advice and thanks for the pep talk on the gear.

I was actually thinking about the 70-200 at first but when I saw that puppy, it was HUGE. And at $100 to rent for the week, for only an extra $200 I could own the 85 1.8 forever.

At least, that's what I told the wife.

[Mocows]

I would say bring the flash, better to have it and not use it then to need it have it no where in sight.

I shot a friends wedding recently (although I was in the wedding party so it was harder to do anything in general) with a 430ex and the 18-55IS. That combo worked great for group shots and whatnots. The 85 will let you integrate natural indoor and flash lighting so I could use that to your advantage as well.

Also I'd say RAW is your best choice. U may be getting out of focus shots if you use 3fps anyways (I wonder if the 430exII could keep up with 3fps anyways).