struggling with 1 FF body at a wedding

I am a newbie to weddings.. did one the other day and Shoot went well but......
after shooting the registry office wedding with my 70-200 I had to change lens to my 50mm for outside shots (Would have been better if I had a 24-70 2.8). While I was doing this everyone was pilling outside ready for them walking out and being showered with confetti. I just got outside in time to catch it, but literally within seconds.. so all was good..
That was a very close call, I am sure I need two bodies (like wedding Photographers do).. One with the 70-200 and the other with a 24-70 2.8 or a prime.
I will be doing more weddings in future...

Has anyone else experienced the same sort of thing.. ?? or anyone got any advise or agree or disagree??

Nick

2 bodies + optech dual harness.

I always carry 2 bodies if I'm in a situation where I want different lengths. Long lens on one, short lens on another. Makes life tons easier....as you have experienced

I have a double sling but I lost interest in it because every time I bent over, or turned, or did anything quickly I had to worry about the cameras swinging around. Bending down to get something out of a case is a hassle; gravity wants to pull the cameras straight down, perpendicular to the floor where they are in the way, not parallel to your body where they are out of the way.
So I got a B Grip and keep one camera on my waist (turned behind me to be out of the way) and the other camera on an Optech sling.

So yes, keep 2 cameras on you

Two bodies are a must for weddings if for no other reason than insurance against failure. That said, one with a longer lens, one with a wider lens is the usual deployment.

I typically have the 5DII with 70-200 and the 7D with 17-55. I have a black rapid dual strap to carry them and pocket wizards on both so I can adjust any remote lighting on either if I need to.

I carry two bodies, several spare speedlights, batteries, ect.

Everything is redundant because you cannot predict when something may go wrong, and you can NEVER get that moment you missed back.

two cameras, most definitely

two FF cameras, not necessary. Your 60D would have done just fine outside, assuming it was daytime.

Nick_Reading.UK wrote in post #16660104
I am a newbie to weddings.. did one the other day and Shoot went well but......
after shooting the registry office wedding with my 70-200 I had to change lens to my 50mm for outside shots (Would have been better if I had a 24-70 2.8). While I was doing this everyone was pilling outside ready for them walking out and being showered with confetti. I just got outside in time to catch it, but literally within seconds.. so all was good..
That was a very close call, I am sure I need two bodies (like wedding Photographers do).. One with the 70-200 and the other with a 24-70 2.8 or a prime.
I will be doing more weddings in future...

Has anyone else experienced the same sort of thing.. ?? or anyone got any advise or agree or disagree??

Nick

I've used a Cotton Carrier for years now and always shoot a minimum of two bodies at weddings usually and sometimes three bodies depending on what is called for based on meeting discussions and shot lists.
Either two crops together or two FF's together for core. Having glass ranges but f/2.8 for all zooms for both types or bodies helps but most folks don't collect full ranges and speeds (from ultra-wide thru telezoom to 200 or beyond plus fast primes) just in case that grips will carry. So I would pick which sensor size you prefer. The reason I don't mix crop and FF is because my minds eye finds it easier to visualize the scene and how much I can capture with how much bokeh - quickly - based on the lenses in the same format. So like most here mention; one rig is wide and one rig is longer. In my minds eye I know how much compression and scene I will have in the composition when I fast swap for a different look.
I may wear and use a third rig on another side holster with a specialty lens like a fish or ultrawide and/or an IR converted body.
One key thing I found really helpful is common menu structure and models. I've memorized the effect of the customs settings I use. So although between the three bodies there will be subtle differences I know what they are and even though they are saved on each camera's Custom modes I can quickly run directly to the setting I want to change. I found it harder to change configurations when the menu structures were different.

Cheers everyone.. Some really GREAT tips/feedback !!

if you only have money for 1 body now, you need a quick changing lens system. like a thinktank belt and lens holder to facilitate quicker and idealy, SAFER, changes on the fly.

it'll be cheaper then shelling out for a second body when you don't have the income to support it.

can even find some used on Fred miranda or here too

I also need a quicker flash, the recycle time of my 430 Is a nightmare!! Thinking of getting a 600RT

rang wrote in post #16660446
One key thing I found really helpful is common menu structure and models. I've memorized the effect of the customs settings I use. So although between the three bodies there will be subtle differences I know what they are and even though they are saved on each camera's Custom modes I can quickly run directly to the setting I want to change. I found it harder to change configurations when the menu structures were different.

I agree, two of the same bodies would be better, I now struggle with my 60D menu..

Nick_Reading.UK wrote in post #16661050
I also need a quicker flash, the recycle time of my 430 Is a nightmare!! Thinking of getting a 600RT

If you have a bunch of spare cash sure; I use a couple of YN 565 II and a YN 568 II along with my 600 watt strobe in a Beauty Dish, and/or softbox all controlled by YN 622c's. Wedding is all about run & gun where ETTL is very necessary as the lighting conditions are continually changing. The Strobe is used for the big group shots where I need power.

Eventually you will want another 5d III but your 60D is more then capable with the 17-55 mounted for your second.

Why can't you use your 60d at a wedding as a second body with a wider lens on it?

edit- someone already said that lol.

Does anyone even consider a mirrorless camera for a second body?

Nick_Reading.UK wrote in post #16660104
I am a newbie to weddings.. did one the other day and Shoot went well but......
after shooting the registry office wedding with my 70-200 I had to change lens to my 50mm for outside shots (Would have been better if I had a 24-70 2.8). While I was doing this everyone was pilling outside ready for them walking out and being showered with confetti. I just got outside in time to catch it, but literally within seconds.. so all was good..
That was a very close call, I am sure I need two bodies (like wedding Photographers do).. One with the 70-200 and the other with a 24-70 2.8 or a prime.
I will be doing more weddings in future...

Has anyone else experienced the same sort of thing.. ?? or anyone got any advise or agree or disagree??

Nick

Heya,

I've yet to see an event shooter with a single camera really. I'd take two camera bodies. Heavy and bulky, but it will do the job you need.

Very best,