First Wedding. Gear?

I will be shooting my first wedding in May. I own a t5i and a 50mm 1.4 lens. I just recently sold my 15-85mm and am looking for a replacement. I would like a wide angle zoom lens but also really wanting a 70-200 as well. If I owned a full frame I would definitely purchase the 70-200 since it would then be more practical. Any suggestions?

Two camera bodies,
16-35, 24-70, 70-200 zooms. Preferably F2.8 with IS.
Speedlites (2 minimum, preferably 4 for off camera flash. Associated light stands.)
Cards sufficient to hold 2000 raw files.

Lots of practice with equipment, posing, interacting with wedding party, and dealing with unexpected circumstances.
The best way to get the practice mentioned is to shadow a willing wedding photographer for 4 or 5 weddings then work with a seasoned professional wedding photographer as a second shooter for another 4 or 5 weddings.

dmward wrote in post #18312619
Two camera bodies,
16-35, 24-70, 70-200 zooms. Preferably F2.8 with IS.
Speedlites (2 minimum, preferably 4 for off camera flash. Associated light stands.)
Cards sufficient to hold 2000 raw files.

Lots of practice with equipment, posing, interacting with wedding party, and dealing with unexpected circumstances.
The best way to get the practice mentioned is to shadow a willing wedding photographer for 4 or 5 weddings then work with a seasoned professional wedding photographer as a second shooter for another 4 or 5 weddings.

All that and a good prayer book.

Especially if you're trying to do this without the experience that dmward recommends. Remember, this is someone's once-in-a-lifetime moment. Zero room for screwups.

Brandon32s wrote in post #18312565
I will be shooting my first wedding in May. I own a t5i and a 50mm 1.4 lens. I just recently sold my 15-85mm and am looking for a replacement. I would like a wide angle zoom lens but also really wanting a 70-200 as well. If I owned a full frame I would definitely purchase the 70-200 since it would then be more practical. Any suggestions?

Who are you shooting for? Are you being paid? Two bodies, two flashes, two zooms and lens backup at a minimum. Light stands would be a good idea too. Maybe even an umbrella, depending what you are shooting and when.

Weddings are UNPREDICTABLE. Last Saturday, the joystick of my 5d3 broke in the middle of the ceremony. Had to remember quickly how to change the AF selection to the dials. My bag with my second body was not near and the lens on it was not the adequate, so I had to think fast. Knowing your gear is extremely important.

Did I mention that the wedding was under a gazebo? I debated with myself if to add some lights attached to it to bounce them during the ceremony. I decided against it and then, 5-10 minutes before the ceremony, the whole gazebo went flying (the groom did a shoddy DIY job and did not anchor it correctly to the ground). That would've meant the probable loss of two speed lights for me.

Having said all that, my first wedding was for my sister, with a 550D and the 15-85 and sigma 30mm (1.8 I think). I had a speed light too. Photos were not horrible, but as it was for my sister, the pressure was at a minimum.

Definitely two camera bodies and preferably at least one with high ISO capability. I like to use the 24-70mm/2.8 lenson one and my 135/2.0 on the other.

By the way, I moved this to the talk forum & out of the photo sharing forum.

The thought of you shooting a wedding with the gear and presumable experience you have gives me bad chills.

Impossible to answer this worth a cr_p. It's like asking the question "I'm going on vacation. What do I pack."

Weddings can be quite different, presenting different challenges and therefore requiring different equipment strategies.

Advice, make sure expectations and limitations are clearly explained, and understood, and accepted by all involved. Have back ups for everything, camera body, lenses, lights, cards, etc.

Or this advice ..... If wedding photography is somthing you wish to pursue professionally, find a qualified pro to hire (maybe with some assistance from the client) that would agree to let you second shoot with them and learn. Think of the cost as part wedding gift from you, and part investment in your professional development. Kind of a hands on learning experience. Surely the client can pony up some money for their special day.

texkam wrote in post #18312833
Impossible to answer this worth a cr_p. It's like asking the question "I'm going on vacation. What do I pack."

Swimming trunks, a camera, sandals, extra underwear.


Back on topic...
...2 cameras, 2 flashes, 2 lenses, extra memory, extra batteries, very good gear familiarity, and ability to think quickly on your feet to solve a range of photographic problems, clean underwear. I'm sincere about this!

I am definitely planning on purchasing at least a couple of 430 ii speedlights. I've done some work with off camera flash and am quite familiar with it. Thank you for the recommendations!

I'm shooting it for some friends I go to university with. The pay is very low at 200 dollars. So there isn't a huge amount of pressure although this is something that I want to make turn out fantastic! I'm attending classes right now and my income is pretty minuscule. The amount of gear that I feel substantial for a wedding is far out of my budget. Looking for gear that is the best bang for my buck.

The 24-70 is a lens that I have been really looking into. If I find one within my budget then I will not hesitate to grab it!

Rent.

You're correct to presume my experience of shooting a wedding is low, although I have been into photography for nearly four years now and am very comfortable with the gear that I own. This is a low risk wedding situation (but still a wedding to say the least) with a pay of only 200 dollars.

Brandon32s wrote in post #18312897
I am definitely planning on purchasing at least a couple of 430 ii speedlights. I've done some work with off camera flash and am quite familiar with it. Thank you for the recommendations!

Based on my years of experience shooting weddings and other events, I'd class the 430II as an unacceptable speedlite for weddings. Not enough power and limited capabilities for multi-flash shooting.

For the price of two 430's its possible to purchase Godox or Yongnou speedlites with more power and capabilities.
Personally, I get Godox 860s which offer lithium batteries for quicker recycle and are Canon ETTL II compatible. Two of them are probably about the same price as 2 430s.

Frankly, the list of your gear and ideas suggests that you haven't given this enterprise much serious thought.