Lenses for first wedding

Nothing wrong with the brother shooting the sister's wedding. They have their own reasons.


I suggest renting lenses, maybe even an extra body. Unless you trust the second shooter.
Id rent a 35L for good portraits and general photos, and a 70-200 2.8L II. Maybe Id through a 16-35L in the mix for the second camera/shooter.
These are what I would use based on my creativity for shots.

antti-hannes wrote in post #14634485
Kind of ot but still related. I am going to my first wedding shooting this weekend. With only 5d and 50L. No flash no pther cameras/lenses. Am i goong to be in the deep shiet?

I'm assuming you are not the primary photographer?
Get a flash and bouncer.
I went to a friend's wedding and shot using my 100L, 15-85, and 430exii. They loved the shots.

This post is getting funnier and funnier.
First, your sister asked you to shoot the wedding. I guess its ok, photographers can be expensive.
Then, we find out you have only been into photography for months? (I may be wrong but your knowledge certainly reflects it)
Third, the wedding is in a week?

Have you ever seen a photog work a wedding? it is the most stressful of jobs. Its completely impossible for you to enjoy the wedding at all. And lets not even go to the quality of pics that someone can take with your experience.

Seriously, your sister needs to pony up some dough for this. these are moments she will never get back and ANY novice will surely miss alot of them.

depends on the environment
1.2 should give you the range of light - just depends on if you need wider and if you can get the distance you need for wider angle shots

what does the clients expect from you ?

vapore0n wrote in post #14634505
I'm assuming you are not the primary photographer?
Get a flash and bouncer.
I went to a friend's wedding and shot using my 100L, 15-85, and 430exii. They loved the shots.

Actually i am the primary photog. I am not gonna use any flashes because i shoot only eith ambient light. The clients wanted me because they saw my other work and they were happy with results.

etaf wrote in post #14634557
depends on the environment
1.2 should give you the range of light - just depends on if you need wider and if you can get the distance you need for wider angle shots

what does the clients expect from you ?

Clients want a journalist type shooting from me. Can i be more journalistic than without a flash and with only 50mm. Thats the way i have been shooting for years.

so your comment -

was tongue in cheek

I use 50L for a lot of the day. But.....probably bring a flash? No formal
Portraits? Don't have a long lens for ceremony? I do love the 50L for the journalistic look. I think you can shoot the whole thing with 50L. I just wouldn't risk the whole wedding on one focal length and ambient light. Doubt you can shoot the reception without flash.

vapore0n wrote in post #14634495
Nothing wrong with the brother shooting the sister's wedding. They have their own reasons.

There is if the brother has never shot before, doesn't understand the type of equipment that is necessary, and therefore doesn't know how to use that equipment properly. I mean, is an indoors group shot even possible without a normal flash?

vspector wrote in post #14634992
There is if the brother has never shot before, doesn't understand the type of equipment that is necessary, and therefore doesn't know how to use that equipment properly. I mean, is an indoors group shot even possible without a normal flash?

No not really

um... wow for those who are actually supportive in the situation, thank you I have the new lens and it seems to be a good one, i was warned about the slightly loud AF but wont be a problem in the reception with the music playing. I tested it out today in love with it's ability to preform in dark situations. went and scoped out locations between the ceremony and reception today will do it again tomorrow should have some decent shots. also got the flash need more practice on that should go over fine.

To those who are hating on me for my limiting knowledge I'm sorry that this situation maybe frustrating and/or funny but in reality my sister and her fiance don't altogether care for these pictures all that much. The difference between you "pros" and me is that my sister would never hire you guys. These pictures won't mean the world to her there important but she could care less for "professional" if it meant saving money. how do i know? because I've spent the last 20 years with her i'm pretty sure that speaks a lot then those of you who have shot weddings for many brides. to those who think I will be super stressed... well I'm glad you know me so well. these people at this wedding are my family and if anything my sister and mom will be more stressed then me heck ill be calming them down. knowing this fact will keep me calm knowing i need to be the calm one in the situation. and believe me if i need to been calm i am. car accidents, emergencies, stressful leadership roles? personally this is where i excel.

All in all I Can't go and rent or buy other lens or second bodies. I have my D60 and two lens my brother and motivation. Thank you for you opinions on the matter but I'm set on equipment. if you wish to voice your opinion on techniques and things of the sorts be my guest.

oh and too who ever high jacked my thread. Good luck buddy make sure you talk to your clients so they know what they are getting into.

I think it might help to take the chip off your shoulder. Honestly, if your sister doesn't care then shoot with what you have. There's no point in going out and buying anything unless you plan on weddings being a serious endeavor, which I'm not too certain you are ready to do. Take some Uncle Bob photos and enjoy the wedding. It's not like there's going to be another photographer whose way your going to be in.

I book over 100 weddings a year for myself and for my associates, and my number one rule is this: care as much as the client does. Based on what you've said, your sister doesn't care about these photos. Why should you?

antti-hannes wrote in post #14634485
Kind of ot but still related. I am going to my first wedding shooting this weekend. With only 5d and 50L. No flash no pther cameras/lenses. Am i goong to be in the deep shiet?

You could. If the wedding is outside and you have an early evening exit, then no. If it's all indoors, then there's a good chance.

mritchy wrote in post #14638159
I think it might help to take the chip off your shoulder. Honestly, if your sister doesn't care then shoot with what you have. There's no point in going out and buying anything unless you plan on weddings being a serious endeavor, which I'm not too certain you are ready to do. Take some Uncle Bob photos and enjoy the wedding. It's not like there's going to be another photographer whose way your going to be in.

I book over 100 weddings a year for myself and for my associates, and my number one rule is this: care as much as the client does. Based on what you've said, your sister doesn't care about these photos. Why should you?

True enough, but odds are that in a few..5/10 years, she will cherish the pics(we all know it's a woman's perogative to change her mind), and if they suck..she'll be regretful.

1Tanker wrote in post #14638177
True enough, but odds are that in a few..5/10 years, she will cherish the pics(we all know it's a woman's perogative to change her mind), and if they suck..she'll be regretful.

Such is life.

To the OP, please, don't be naive and underestimate the situation, it is good you are confident but over confidence tends to lead to folly - just my 2 cents