Got a wedding to shoot ad All i have is an 18-55 lens? What should I get?

morehtml wrote in post #2031147
I have seen too many people in the Nashville area try to do 'weddings' for people without having the right equipment. I know 2 people that just got their camera with kit lens and are going to make a business and another that actually had a Upper end P&S that did weddings. That is just asking for trouble. To do weddings ongoing seriously you need backups of everything, 2 cameras, 2 flashes (or at least a second cam with on board flash), 2 nice lenses (like 24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8) and a prime lens minimum with 10-16GB of CF cards if you shoot raw (which you should be at weddings).

I agree. Heck I don't even have everything I should have. However, we don't know OP's situation...whether he/she is trying to go pro, is doing one as a favor, is only taking a few bucks to cover some costs for that favor, etc. All we know is OP has a kit lens,a Rebel, a 430EX, and an AE1 with a few lenses.

There's no point recommending $25K of kit if it's a one shot deal.

Yea I know that's why I said if it was a one time deal to just get the 50mm and use the 430 EX flash with the kit lens. Hey I'm not a pro wedding photog, I'm just venting because this is my pet peeve lately. One photog messed up my brother in laws wedding. Part of the problem is anytime someone gets a new camera with the kit lens everyone thinks your a pro and your friends and family all want you to shoot their wedding for free or cheap when you don't have the equipment. Then some start a 'business' from this beginning and may not know how to even operate their camera. Then if it's messed up it's your fault. And you don't really need 25k but I would say a serious wedding photography business would need $6-7k minimum equipment to start.

Then even with the equipment you need the experience which is a whole other discussion. I really wonder how many weddings are being done for pay this weekend with the kit lens and the camera on green box mode!

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=209809

read it

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=209809

I'd go for a Tamron 28-75 f2.8, a Stroboframe CameraFlip bracket, a Lumiquest ProMax System, and an off-shoe cord for the flash. Use the film camera as your backup. That long 300mm lens sounds like fun but will not be of much use in a wedding (or for shooting sports IMO).

morehtml wrote in post #2031280
Yea I know that's why I said if it was a one time deal to just get the 50mm and use the 430 EX flash with the kit lens. Hey I'm not a pro wedding photog, I'm just venting because this is my pet peeve lately. One photog messed up my brother in laws wedding. Part of the problem is anytime someone gets a new camera with the kit lens everyone thinks your a pro and your friends and family all want you to shoot their wedding for free or cheap when you don't have the equipment. Then some start a 'business' from this beginning and may not know how to even operate their camera. Then if it's messed up it's your fault. And you don't really need 25k but I would say a serious wedding photography business would need $6-7k minimum equipment to start.

Then even with the equipment you need the experience which is a whole other discussion. I really wonder how many weddings are being done for pay this weekend with the kit lens and the camera on green box mode!

Well IMO there's a pretty big difference between someone without gear going at it free or cheap for friends and family...and a serious professional without equipment charging the going rates.

And there's a lot to be said for a portfolio...moreso than even the gear used. You can really get decent shots with a kit lens if you know how to use it.

cdi-ink.com wrote in post #2031336
Well IMO there's a pretty big difference between someone without gear going at it free or cheap for friends and family...and a serious professional without equipment charging the going rates.

And there's a lot to be said for a portfolio...moreso than even the gear used. You can really get decent shots with a kit lens if you know how to use it.

I think the $800 being charged is enough that you need to be minimally prepared! $1500 is the going rate (average) in our area. $750 on low end and $3000 on high. And the 2 people I know with cams and kit lenses are doing it for pay for people they either barely know or strangers.

runninmann wrote in post #2031048
Perhaps you misunderstood me. In looking at your gear list, you seem to have a braoder range of lenses for your AE-1 than for the Rebel. My question was, "Is it practical to use film instead of digital to take advantage of the glass you have."

Well, I hate to say it they want the digital.

cdi-ink.com wrote in post #2031336
Well IMO there's a pretty big difference between someone without gear going at it free or cheap for friends and family...and a serious professional without equipment charging the going rates.

OP: Are you asking for $800 for the wedding or was that how much you're asking for to buy lenses with?

morehtml wrote in post #2031358
I think the $800 being charged is enough that you need to be minimally prepared! $1500 is the going rate (average) in our area. $750 on low end and $3000 on high. And the 2 people I know with cams and kit lenses are doing it for pay for people they either barely know or strangers.

Well, I have know this young woman since she was two years old, so this is a family friend special.

Plus, it is my first wedding. I figured $850-800 a good first time rate.

morehtml wrote in post #2031358
I think the $800 being charged is enough that you need to be minimally prepared! $1500 is the going rate (average) in our area. $750 on low end and $3000 on high. And the 2 people I know with cams and kit lenses are doing it for pay for people they either barely know or strangers.

I read that as asking for $800 from hubby for gear, not from the wedding couple for services.

EDIT: Just saw the clarification.

OP: $800 is, IMHO, an entry level "going rate" for someone experienced...with more equipment to be fully prepared.

Jim G wrote in post #2031372
OP: Are you asking for $800 for the wedding or was that how much you're asking for to buy lenses with?

No, $800 for the wedding.

It will include five 8x10s
proofs in an album. Anyting else they want will be extra.

$3.00 for 4x6's and $10.00 an 8x10.

I actually live in Portland near Nashville (and the going rate for weddings in my twon...$300 no kidding...)

Lunajen wrote in post #2031391
No, $800 for the wedding.

It will include five 8x10s
proofs in an album. Anyting else they want will be extra.

$3.00 for 4x6's and $10.00 an 8x10.

I actually live in Portland near Nashville (and the going rate for weddings in my twon...$300 no kidding...)

If $300 is the going rate in your town, you're ripping your friend off. Not to be harsh, but that's my honest opinion.

cdi-ink.com wrote in post #2031383
I read that as asking for $800 from hubby for gear, not from the wedding couple for services.

EDIT: Just saw the clarification.

OP: $800 is, IMHO, an entry level "going rate" for someone experienced...with more equipment to be fully prepared.

ding ding!

Well I think you're brave to charge for a first wedding shoot with your gear and what you buy... I couldn't do that, I wouldn't be willing to bet money on my first attempt at coming off well enough that I'd be able to charge a significant sum of money for it

Seems a good rate for 4x6's - though I may be stuffing that thought up with the conversion from US

++ (though $800 may not be a significant sum of money to someone who isn't a student.. guess it all depends on your perspective )

liza wrote in post #2031092
If you're going to shoot a wedding for pay, go well equipped so you don't shortchange the couple. Consider renting the 17-55 and the 70-200 f/2.8IS for the wedding and purchasing the 50 f/1.4 and the 580EX with a good bracket with the money you have budgeted. Once you have this wedding under your belt, you can build your kit with decent lenses.

I do have a friend that does weddings athat might let me borrow a lens but there is Dury's in town that might let me reant as well.

Thanks for the thought on that.