Input for BACKYARD WEDDING...

So I had a question. I love to get input from this place. Ryan from here has helped me so much with some great links of material to read and alot of good pointers that I am very thankful for. I'm just looking to hear what you all think. My friend's daughter is having a wedding next weekend at 2pm in there backyard. maybe 50 guests and they asked if I would take some pics. I told them sure I would love to just to try it for the 1st time and gain some experience. It's not a typical formal wedding. They will have some nice decorations and stuff like that but that's it. They asked me how much, and I told them just rent me some gear so I can use for it. So pretty much I have no limit. I can rent a Body with some lenses and it's covered by them. What would you recommend? I have a rebel XSi body already as a backup and have never used any other bodies before. I went to check out the set up and backyard yesterday and the sun will be behind me and the backyard is a little bigger than your average track home. I want to go all out by all means and try and gain knowledge and experience and freakin take some killer shots under my belt. It never ends when it comes to photography.
I love it!!!

5dmkii + a 50 1.2 + 35 1.4 is my best combo when it comes to backyard weddings.

In my experience you'll need a W I D E lens for that. 5D2/3 and 16-35, with a 580EX flash and a CP-E3/4 battery pack. Get a 24-70 as well, for general stuff, or a 50/85mm F1.8 prime - or 1.4/1.2 if you want to spend the money, but without experience you shouldn't use super narrow depth of field. 85 F1.4 on a full frame body would give you razor thin DOF that you can't get close to with your gear.

backyard wedding: 5dII w/24-105L and a 600EX-RT

i wouldn't get a prime unless you get it with enough time to practice with it.

Thanks for the input...
I've used Primes before just never on a FF body.

Rent a 60 D or 7D. Your crop lenses will work. You will need a flash for sure. You do not want raccoon eyes for anyone. The 24 to 105 is a VERY nice lens to rent. You will need a wide angle too.
Good luck..

Frietze wrote in post #15053695
Thanks for the input...
I've used Primes before just never on a FF body.

Oh ok, i'd still get the 24-105L but then supplement it with the primes of your liking. that 24-105L is a great all around lens for outdoor weddings imho. especially in the middle of the day like that.

Plus they are paying for all the gear so I figured I would splurge and get my feet wet with some Primes and a Full Frame Body. I will have it for a week so I have time to enjoy the stuff.

The most important thing to remember when renting a camera is practice with it before the big day. There is nothing worse than having to fiddle with an unfamiliar camera while the action is passing you by.

If I were shooting this, I would use most of what is in my arsenal, but for renting purposes...

I think if I had to narrow it down to 2 lenses on my 5d3, I would go 24-105 for most of the day, and the 35L (or you can use the 28mm f1.8) when it got dark. I would also really like to have my 70-200 for ceremony stuff and reception speeches, and my 50L for details though.

define backyard...

I've been to a backyard wedding where we were told to avoid he left side of the yard as this is where the dogs do their business, clothesline occupied, overflowing cans by the shed, and overgrown weeds all along the property line (but the front yard & rest of the house is well taken care of)... and then I've been in 'back yards' that are acres in size with natural pond and manicured grass, for which they had the grass ripped out, laser-leveled and re-planted by a golf course maintenance company....