Wedding Settings

I've been asked to shoot a wedding, a first for me.
The wedding is in a church, which the lighting is not good, I prefer not to use a flash.
Most mt people photos is with sport, for which I am confident with shatter speed. For non active people photos I always aim to keep the shutter around 1/160 or faster, sometime I have gone down to 1/125 but that about it.
I have been experimenting with lower light, to get a feel for the church shots.
I am thinking I may need to get down to 1/60 and then bump the ISO, I will shoot wide open f/2.8 and may be f4 if needed.
I am thinking the lens to use will be the 70-200 in my signature, so I'm not so in their face.
May be I will get a 24mm shot of the guests from the back with couple at the alter and may be of the wedding party.

My questions:
Is the 70-200 going to be the better lens, or the 24-70 for most shots?
I guess I will know as soon as I start, I just wanting to be prepared.
What shutter speed should I aim to stay above to prevent subject blur?
Is it likely I will be able to shoot f/2.8 - 1/125 - ISO800 -1600 in typical churches?
I know one day may be different to the next, but I would like some heads up on what to expect
If you have any other tips, I'm please to hear them
Thanks

Most of that totally depends on the church, the amount of available light, where you'll be standing, and what kind of shots you're after. Both lenses are very useful assuming there's enough space to move around, and you have some great lenses to choose from. 16-35, 24-70 and 70-200 are all great for different types of shots inside the church.

From my experience 1/60th is dangerous in churches and low lit areas (receptions etc) as it's about 40/60 if it'll be slightly blurred or not, especially in situations where you are on your feet and moving around (in a stressful environment). I'd be much happier with 1/125 (or above if possible) to ensure a sharp shot, and then bump the ISO up. You have the 5D III, so pushing the ISO up is fine as noise will clear up very nicely up to 6400 and beyond. Assuming weather isn't completely crazy, available light will probably not change much in both the church & reception areas. If it's sunny/cloudy you'll have to adapt.

I think lens usage comes down to your positioning in the church and how big it is and what shots you want. High ISO is not uncommon at all in churches, as Flash is rarely allowed. But from your lens lineup I'd say you're more than well equipped for the job.

Use the 24 to 70 and then the 70 to 200 for the ring shot. You will need iso 1600 to possible 6400.

Thanks, the wedding is in two days, I will be going to the rehearsal tomorrow, so that will help to suss out lighting and setting, the rehearsal is the same time of day as the wedding, which is good.
Im not over concerned with the rest of the the day, we will have a photo after the church which is outside and the reception I have more time and less pressure to get "the Shots"
I think I will set a custom setting:
AV f/2.8 with min shutter 1/125 and Auto ISO with max set to 6400 and tweak if needed.

I like long tight framed shots, but that's me, I hope to mix it up as its not about me. And similar I do not want to be noticed as much as possible, hence why I think the longer lens may be my choice, but I will take all 3

scorpio_e wrote in post #14984935
Use the 24 to 70 and then the 70 to 200 for the ring shot. You will need iso 1600 to possible 6400.

Thanks

Whats prefered for kiss shot, do people get face framed, head and shoulders, or full lenght?
I intent to get close up of the fitting of rings.
The Bride entering the church with father will have some bright light from the door, I might have to add 2/3 stop of compensation as they come in.

Do you recommend spot focus or 1 point focus, I always use 1 point, but spot may be better when getting in close (shallow DOF)?

I use center point focus as much as I can, it's how I like to shoot. I'll move the focus point when needed via the buttons, takes nearly no time at all. For backing up the aisle as the B&G walk or simply shooting them going down AI Servo is extremely useful - it's actually really reliable on the 5D3. I keep AI servo as CF3, that way I can twist the knob all the way without looking and switch back later, quicker than going through the "Q" menu or switching with AF-mode buttons. For non AI-focus, remember to turn off AF beep and you might want to switch to the silent shutter mode as it quiets down in the church.

For first kiss I personally like starting with a mid-section-to-top-of-head shot assuming I can get close enough, you can always crop closer from there in PP if you want a head-only shot. The kiss usually last a few seconds (if you're lucky) so there's time to recompose and do a few other shots, like a full body if it's possible. If I had a second shooter I'd have them do the distance shot where the whole church is looking at them, down the aisle probably. I think personal preference plays a big role here though, everyone has their style and idea of pictures they want.

DamianOz wrote in post #14984852
Is it likely I will be able to shoot f/2.8 - 1/125 - ISO800 -1600 in typical churches?

With your gear, I'd say yes.

Use the 70-200 on a tripod and gain another stop maybe.

Thanks EC, very helpful advice, I never even thought of AI Servo.
Does the use of quiet shutter have any adverse effect, like slower release time?

I have set CF3 to - AV f/2.8 with min shutter 1/125 and Auto ISO with max set to 6400
I have set CF2 to - TV 1/1600 f/2.8 Auto ISO AI-Servo ready for any fast movement. (basicly by sports settings)
Changing to AI servo is reasonably easy, so might just do it via Q, but with have a play, could use C1

RT, thanks for your advice, I don't think I will bring a tripod, if any thing the mono pod would suit me better, but I don't think I'll use it either. I like to move and also get lowish, eye level for the page boy/girl etc. 1/125 is ok to hold, if light permits I will be 1/160. This is easy fast enough for the 24-70 and with IS on the 70-200, I find its quite ok even at 200mm.
But I might have a play with 1/125 at 200mm today to confirm my hit rate is good.

90% of the time, I use the 70-200 II in the church and receptions. However, when shooting outside, I use the prime 85mm 90% of the time. I just love the bokeh it produces outside.

I know 85mm Gathers much more light in low light but the 4-stop IS on 70-200 is hard to beat.

Thanks Elijah, what typical shutter speed/ISO are you getting in he Church? I assume you shoot f/2.8 ?

DamianOz wrote in post #14987390
Thanks Elijah, what typical shutter speed/ISO are you getting in he Church? I assume you shoot f/2.8 ?

I shoot with flashes attached on lightstands pointed at the ceiling so It's different all the time. Yes, aperture always stays at 2.8 (I am confident in 70-200's consistency and sharpness at 2.8)
Shutter speed is typically at 1/125-1/160 and Iso is around at 400-600. Power output on both 580 IIex's is usually at 1/2 or 1/4 power.
It's usually set that way MOST of the time.
I use AI Servo when the couple walks in.

thanks, very helpful

DamianOz wrote in post #14987356
Does the use of quiet shutter have any adverse effect, like slower release time?

I use the silent shutter mode inside a church. I have had no issues. It's awesome.

DamianOz wrote in post #14987356
I have set CF3 to - AV f/2.8 with min shutter 1/125 and Auto ISO with max set to 6400
I have set CF2 to - TV 1/1600 f/2.8 Auto ISO AI-Servo ready for any fast movement. (basicly by sports settings)
Changing to AI servo is reasonably easy, so might just do it via Q, but with have a play, could use C1

I don't have any of the custom setting banks saved. The lighting doesn't change a whole lot during the ceremony. I am usually at 1/160, f2.8, ISO1600-4000 depending on how dark the church is. Typically ISO1600-2000 though. Higher ISO on the 5D3 is fine though.

I have the DOF preview button assigned to engage AI Servo. Takes a little getting used to in the beginning, but I got used it quickly, and now it's to a point where it's automatic. This is a great way to temporarily engage AI Servo without messing around with buttons and dials.

DamianOz wrote in post #14987356
I don't think I will bring a tripod, if any thing the mono pod would suit me better, but I don't think I'll use it either. I like to move and also get lowish, eye level for the page boy/girl etc. 1/125 is ok to hold, if light permits I will be 1/160. This is easy fast enough for the 24-70 and with IS on the 70-200, I find its quite ok even at 200mm.
But I might have a play with 1/125 at 200mm today to confirm my hit rate is good.

Yeah, not need for a tripod. Jack the ISO up. Again, on the 5D3, you should have plenty of leeway with ISO.

DamianOz wrote in post #14984852
I've been asked to shoot a wedding, a first for me.
The wedding is in a church, which the lighting is not good, I prefer not to use a flash.
Most mt people photos is with sport, for which I am confident with shatter speed. For non active people photos I always aim to keep the shutter around 1/160 or faster, sometime I have gone down to 1/125 but that about it.
I have been experimenting with lower light, to get a feel for the church shots.
I am thinking I may need to get down to 1/60 and then bump the ISO, I will shoot wide open f/2.8 and may be f4 if needed.
I am thinking the lens to use will be the 70-200 in my signature, so I'm not so in their face.
May be I will get a 24mm shot of the guests from the back with couple at the alter and may be of the wedding party.

My questions:
Is the 70-200 going to be the better lens, or the 24-70 for most shots?
I guess I will know as soon as I start, I just wanting to be prepared.
What shutter speed should I aim to stay above to prevent subject blur?
Is it likely I will be able to shoot f/2.8 - 1/125 - ISO800 -1600 in typical churches?
I know one day may be different to the next, but I would like some heads up on what to expect
If you have any other tips, I'm please to hear them
Thanks

I love the title so had to respond although you might take a beating for not reading the various previous posts or Q&A's that have been written.

I would suggest you have your 70-200 on the 5DIII and the 16-35 on the 7D.

I use my 70-200 on my 5DII and 17-55 on my 7D for most of the day. I only use a Macro for ring/makeup/flower shots and then a wide for room shots in the evening.

You will probably need to increase your ISO, 16-32k is typical for me with 64k at a push.

You'll need f2.8 so forget f4, but just watch your focus. I always refocus/recompose a couple of times on the important shots just to be safe.

Nice kit, good luck.