Lights for wedding formals in dimly lit church

If you were to get some lights for wedding formals in a dimly lit church which ones would you get on a budget? I'm thinking along the lines of continuous light.

Thanks for the ideas.

Why would you want continuous lights? They are less powerful and consume a lot of power. Why not two speedlites, like the YN' 460II's in shoot through umbrellas. You could get that for around $200.

I guess that might be an option as well. Thanks for the idea!

For the formals, especially the groups, you want a big spread of even light. Ideally you would like a lot of power so you can guarantee sufficient DOF while shooting though a large modifier. I use alien bees for that, but speedlites will do in a pinch.

gonzogolf wrote in post #14652901
For the formals, especially the groups, you want a big spread of even light. Ideally you would like a lot of power so you can guarantee sufficient DOF while shooting though a large modifier. I use alien bees for that, but speedlites will do in a pinch.

Ultimately I'd like to get AB's. I'm so new to lighting. I bought my first 430ex II a few months ago. Still learning it.

Thanks again for your knowledge

Since you have the 430exII, I'd recommend getting some Yongnuo RF-602 triggers, a light stand, an umbrella bracket, and a Westcott 43" Shoot-through umbrella to get you started. Full power, ISO 1600, f/4 would suffice.

Austin.Manny wrote in post #14652936
Since you have the 430exII, I'd recommend getting some Yongnuo RF-602 triggers, a light stand, an umbrella bracket, and a Westcott 43" Shoot-through umbrella to get you started. Full power, ISO 1600, f/4 would suffice.

Thank you for the advice Austin. I am shooting with a 40D (no plans on upgrading at the moment). I've come to the conclusion this camera doesn't do well with high ISO like that. Grain is my enemy.

I will look into that equipment, thanks again!

One big strobe, 600ws or better, with a 60 inch umbrella, directly above and behind you.

Alienbees, Elinchrom D-Lites, Calumet Genesis are a few of the entry level models that will work fine for that purpose. If you can't afford this, stick with your hotshoe flash and use a flash bracket to keep it above the lens for the vertical shots.

And the 40D does fine at ISO 1600 if you expose properly.

When I have to shoot formals in a dimly lit church I put the camera on a tripod, use F5.6 at about 35mm, Then put one or two speedlites on light stands above the camera. I want the ambient exposure to be within a stop so that means ISO and shutter speed to get it there with the lens set for F5.6.

That has worked with 5D, 5DII and 5DIII.

If I know I will have time, I bring along an Einstein and 50" shoot through PLM. Although two speedlites through westcott collapsable shoot throughs work well too.

mosabi wrote in post #14653025
Thank you for the advice Austin. I am shooting with a 40D (no plans on upgrading at the moment). I've come to the conclusion this camera doesn't do well with high ISO like that. Grain is my enemy.

I will look into that equipment, thanks again!

You're welcome.

If you don't like high ISO to blend with ambient light, then I echo the advise of Curtis N, with one large strobe in a shoot through umbrella. At the photo studio I work at, we do mostly sports photos, formals included, and for team pictures of roughly 12 kids and 2 coaches we throw up a White Lightning X1200 behind camera. Though we have to compete with the midday sun so we can't use modifiers that eat light.

That said, I think an AB800 full power in a shoot through 60", synced via PC cord to your camera, would make an excellent setup.

Several have mentioned getting "a lightstand". I'd certainly echo that but add a single word to make it "a TALL lightstand". You can always use it at less than full extension but if, and when, you need the height (cos you will, sometime) then there's nowhere to go with the 'toy' 6/7ft jobs. Go for a 10ft (min) model and save future problems!

Remember, the natural light we seek to emulate comes from above, not from eye-level.