Is this gear enough for a Wedding

Hi guys,

I am doing my first proper wedding next month and I would like to know if the gear im taking will get me through the day without any issues. I am no pro, but am expecting good results with the gear im taking.

I will have 2 bodies on me, and one with my assistant.

Canon 40d
Canon 20d
Canon 300d

Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS
Sigma 70-200 f2.8EX
Canon 85mm f1.8
Tamron 17-50 f2.8XR

Canon 580EX
150watt flash and softbox for brides preparation photos.
100cm reflector.

3x 2gb Ultra 3 cards.
6 batteries.
Laptop to take photos directly onto.


I was thinking of renting a Canon 24-70 f2.8L for the day, but im wondering if my Tamron will be just as good (its a good sharp copy). I will also probably have a 50mm 1.8 before it aswell.

As for bodies and lenses... YES. You have this covered. However, I would recommend a second speedlight, and some more CF Cards.

Yea, I agree. Those CF cards aren't going very far with that 40D & 20D. I carry a minimum of 20gb with me at all times. (5 - 4gb cards)

I kinda of a agree, but ill have a laptop with me and an assistant to throw the 2gb onto whilst i use the other? Maybe ill grab a little more anyways its cheap.

Definitely more memory and a second speedlight. Other than that you're well covered. Don't rely upon a laptop working! Even Microsoft admits its OS should not be relied upon for mission critical applications.

Get the cards - last thing you want to be doing is stuffing around with a computer in the middle of a ceremony.

geez I dont have a soft box or a reflector. however, I do have 28GB of memory cards. Just purchase some more CF cards and your set.

Pick up a few 8gb cards if you can.

More memory, my comfort level at the moment is 4GB.

A couple of thoughts:

6GB of memory will get you just over 1200 photos, RAW, if you fill the cards. I rarely fill a card, choosing instead to swap out a card during breaks in the action.

Consider NOT recycling your cards through your laptop. Get enough memory to shoot the entire event without re-using your cards. This can cut down on potential problems.
You have one speedlight and 6 batteries. Might want to plus that up so that you have an even number of sets.

Another speedlight might be a good idea as well.

More memory and a backup speedlight is a must for me.

Even just a cheap flash like a Sunpak. I hardly use any flash at a wedding, but I keep 2 in the bag just in case

Andy

Scott_Quier wrote in post #4181707
A couple of thoughts:

6GB of memory will get you just over 1200 photos, RAW, if you fill the cards. I rarely fill a card, choosing instead to swap out a card during breaks in the action.

Consider NOT recycling your cards through your laptop. Get enough memory to shoot the entire event without re-using your cards. This can cut down on potential problems.
You have one speedlight and 6 batteries. Might want to plus that up so that you have an even number of sets.

Another speedlight might be a good idea as well.

What size are your raw files?
I get about 210 RAW files on a 2 GB card with my 1 D Mark II. That are 8 MP files. You get about 600 RAW files with 6 GB, 1200 RAW files only if you have a 4 MP camera.

Back to the OP: a second flash is a must. If one fails, you have a backup. Plenty of batteries for flash are a must too.

GertS wrote in post #4182742
What size are your raw files?
I get about 210 RAW files on a 2 GB card with my 1 D Mark II. That are 8 MP files. You get about 600 RAW files with 6 GB, 1200 RAW files only if you have a 4 MP camera.

Back to the OP: a second flash is a must. If one fails, you have a backup. Plenty of batteries for flash are a must too.

Oops, math error. I get ~200 RAWs on a 2GB card with my 20D/30D bodies. So, with only 6GB, the OP is looking at only about 600 photos. If one were really good, that might be enough. I'm not there yet as a full day usually involves about 1,000 presses of the shutter.

I took about 480 photos at the only wedding I covered. That didn't fill a 4GB CF card. I had a spare 4GB and two spare 1GB cards with me at the time.

It depends on what you're responsible for... 4 hours coverage, 8 hours coverage, rehearsal, reception, etc. etc. and whether you have the opportunity to backup in two places or not.