Need some care tips for beach wedding

Hey Guys!

I have some questions about shooting a wedding on the beach. I have shot tons of weddings in other places but never the beach...

I am unsure on how I need to treat my equipment.. And if there is somethings I have that I should not use at all on the beach. And maybe some tips on how you guys protect your equipment on the beach.

Gear list:
2x 5dmarkiiis
1x 5dmarkii
16-35L
24-70L
70-200L 2.8 non IS
35L
50L
100L macro

Thanks guys and gals!
--Jason

I don't do anything different to shooting elsewhere. I lie on the ground. Run around and often end up in the ocean. Having spare socks and shoes is always a good idea though.

That's a lot of gear to cart around. I've done many beach weddings. Apart from the obvious of keeping it all dry the only other thing I do is brush out any sand grains with a paint brush when I get home or the next day.

I was not planning on taking it all on te beach... mainly wondering what lens would hold up the best on the beach...

jasonszion wrote in post #16888104
I was not planning on taking it all on te beach... mainly wondering what lens would hold up the best on the beach...

With the exception of your 70-200 (I have owned the 70-200 F2.8 IS L MKI and MKII) I have owned every item of kit you listed and used them all on the beach. No problems with any of them.

I would stick the 16 to 35 on one camera body and the 70 to 200 on the other. This is to avoid changing lenses. I would not want to get sand inside the body.

Consider the use of a UV filter. It's not just the sand but the salt in the air, too. I'm not someone who uses these filters all the time to protect their lenses, but on the beach it probably makes sense.

Peacefield wrote in post #16890044
Consider the use of a UV filter. It's not just the sand but the salt in the air, too. I'm not someone who uses these filters all the time to protect their lenses, but on the beach it probably makes sense.

That is overkill IMHO. I'm on a beach shooting every other week and have been for the last 7 years. Other than not putting your kit on the ground (although that doesn't do a great deal as I've done it by accident often enough) and changing lenses sensibly (i.e. out of the wind same as in any environment) there is nothing extra special you need to do at all.

i agree with scorpio_e, don't change lens on beach. and if its windy and waves crashing, id keep lens cap on your camera or block it with hand/body. I shot at a windy beach in Waimanalo and it was really windy. As I'm shooting, I notice the couple start to look OOF. I check to make sure my focus button didn't get turned to manual focus and noticed my lens was covered in salt spray. Problem with salt on your lens is you cant wipe it off, it just smears! I ended up taking off my filter and covering the front with my hand for the rest of the photoshoot.

I see beach weddings almost every time I go to Coney Island. Asians love 'em, we get Italians, too.
Just pick a real secluded spot... I mean _secluded_. Otherwise, you'll have girls flashing, mooning, fat men in speedos walking by and "bombing" your shots, And other goings on you wouldnt want the grandma to see.

scorpio_e wrote in post #16888505
I would stick the 16 to 35 on one camera body and the 70 to 200 on the other. This is to avoid changing lenses. I would not want to get sand inside the body.

This is a good idea. I always have my 70-200 (it is the IS version but I'm sure the non-IS version is fine) mounted on my 2nd camera. Looking at the equipment the OP has, nothing seems risky, at least not more so than on any other shoot.