help with night pics at wedding,,,,,,

I recently purchased the Canon EOS 40D with a EF 28-135 IS USM (f/3.5-5.6) to replace my Canon Rebel xt. I am taking pictures at my neices wedding in February and wanted to know what you folks thought of the 40D with that lens to take shots at the reception (where it'll be darker)

is what I have good enough for this? and how would you take pics at the reception so they look good and not with a snapshot look (with flash)
I'm already starting to spin my wheels over this event.

Sue

First things first, you will need a fast lens and a flash.

Three things I would say you need
- Something like a Tamron 17-50 2.8 or a Canon 17-55 2.8 IS
- Flash of some sort, maybe a 580EX II or a 430EX II depending on budget
- Practice practice practice

Depends really on if the wedding is outdoors or not. Indoors will be great since you can bounce off walls and create larger lit surfaces.

If outside, think about something like a bounce card. Personally I would strongly recommend a fast zoom or fast prime COUPLED with a flash. You may be able to nail one or two shots without flash for creativity but a flash not only helps illuminate subjects correctly but also the AF assist beams will help you focus correctly.

This was shot with a 580EXII on camera

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panthrcat wrote in post #6285124
I recently purchased the Canon EOS 40D with a EF 28-135 IS USM (f/3.5-5.6) to replace my Canon Rebel xt. I am taking pictures at my neices wedding in February and wanted to know what you folks thought of the 40D with that lens to take shots at the reception (where it'll be darker)

is what I have good enough for this? and how would you take pics at the reception so they look good and not with a snapshot look (with flash)
I'm already starting to spin my wheels over this event.

Sue

Sue,

If I were in your shoes, I would start saving. At least for a flash. I'm no expert but the serious trolling I have done over these forums, especially in the 'People', 'G&N' and 'Wedding' threads, an external flash is a must.

A photographer with a good eye and a steady hand can take brilliant shots with any combo but it's the light that matters.

When I have used the pop-up flash on my 40D, it looks blown out and artificial. If you can get an adjustable flash and can learn how to angle/bounce it, I'm sure the results will be SO much better and worth the investment.

[EDIT] AND as Elysium said, if you can stretch the budget further, a fast prime would be awesome. Check out VisualBride's work. He loves the fast prime and uses it brilliantly.

thanks for the quick replies,, I probably should have said that I am going to be buying a external flash with reflectors.. I have ordered another book on photography that specializes in weddings, and will also be getting a battery grip (not that that really matters, but the 2 batteries on board will be nice) I will be practicing tons, and be cruising sites with helpful hints and things to try before the big day.

my main concern is the lens. it being an f/3.5-5.6.. I don't know that I will be able to swing a faster lens,,

panthrcat wrote in post #6285241
thanks for the quick replies,, I probably should have said that I am going to be buying a external flash with reflectors.. I have ordered another book on photography that specializes in weddings, and will also be getting a battery grip (not that that really matters, but the 2 batteries on board will be nice) I will be practicing tons, and be cruising sites with helpful hints and things to try before the big day.

my main concern is the lens. it being an f/3.5-5.6.. I don't know that I will be able to swing a faster lens,,

Flash can help a slower lens yes but sometimes you will want a shallow depth of field which may not be as easy as another lens. Maybe think about renting one since it would be cheaper.

There will be times where you will want depth for things like group shots so all is not lost.

As for reflectors, you shouldnt need them really since they will require constant adjustment if you are having to constantly move.

that's the thing, there's noplace here I can rent one from,, it's a small town, with very limited access to that sort of thing,, I know a photographer in town rather well, I have been on the phone with him several times over the year, picking his brain,, I am thinking of asking if I can rent his for a weekend.

panthrcat wrote in post #6285294
that's the thing, there's noplace here I can rent one from,, it's a small town, with very limited access to that sort of thing,, I know a photographer in town rather well, I have been on the phone with him several times over the year, picking his brain,, I am thinking of asking if I can rent his for a weekend.

Where are you based?

northern ontario

a faster lens will make your photos stand out alot more than you can imagine.. the depth of field will add new dimensions to your work...

save money for the glass... you will hear that alot in this site...



benny

yea I did some searching for the lens that has been talked about,, if I was smart,, lol I would be saving for it now,, the wedding is in February,, maybe if I talk really really nice, Santa might bring me one?
I sure do wish money grew on trees lol

Rent from somewhere like http://www.borrowlense​s.com if you can't afford a fast lens. You can rent a 50L for $59/week.

tedBalog wrote in post #6285826
Rent from somewhere like http://www.borrowlense​s.com if you can't afford a fast lens. You can rent a 50L for $59/week.

That is your best option. You might also consider renting the 17-55 2.8. It does great at weddings. You have to get an off camera flash, you may as well buy that now, and rent the lenses until you have enough to buy them.

You'll find your 28-135 is going to hunt for focus like crazy without an AF assist beam. Even with the 580ex, I'm still not a big fan of the 28-135, due to slow AF. It's just not a good low light lens if the subject is moving.

Fortunately, your 40D can handle ISO 1600 and put out some pretty useable pictures.

The other thing you can do is consider doing sepia or B&W to the ones that come out noisy. Both work well with noisy pictures since they get that vintage look.

Hey Sue, firstly the 40D is a great camera & I use one often at weddings.

As most of the other guy's have all said, you will need a flash : and you will need to learn how to use it in manual mode on your Camera!

You may find your 28-135 lens is just not "wide enough" for group shots.

As the 40D is a 1.6 crop your 28-135mm lens will be equivalent to apx 44mm-210mm lens on a full frame camera such as a 5D.!!

This can be a problem at a wedding if there are lots of people, all moving around chatting and the only way you can fit them into frame is to step back. (the old "off the cliff thing!) - frustrating, and then you miss the shot...

A pro friend of mine uses a Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5 for weddings, and loves it! They are cheap, cost wise, but great quality!- check out the prices. (and they are also f2.8 at the wide end)
A 17-70mm lens is apx equivalent to 24-105mm on a full frame camera, and this makes it a great "walk around & everyday use lens.

The only other lens you will (or should have) for a wedding IMO is a 70-200mm f2.8.
I use a Canon 70-200 IS 2.8 lens, but Sigma make an un stabilized 70-200 f2.8 which is well worth looking into.

With these two lenses you will have everything covered, from group shots and "randoms" with the 17-70mm, to Bride & groom portraits, and randoms with the 70-200mm. (Borrow a second camera body on the day, or you are asking for "Murphy" to pay a visit!!!)

Now regarding lighting.........(and you will need it !!!)
A Canon 430EX flash will work ok and give you the ETTL when you need "On Camera lighting". But............(there'​s always a "but" isn't there!!)...- Ok, you have time, learn to use "Off camera lighting". You don't have to spend a fortune at all to do this, for $50 you can buy EBAY flash transmitters/receivers and you will get a fantastic result.

I know this may, (or may not) be over your head at this stage, - so if im telling you to suck eggs, (Aussie slang for "Hey, - I knew that already") then don't chew me out. !!
Do your self a favor and check out this website:
http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com/
Bookmark it and get into the "Lighting 101" lessons.
I have learnt sooooooo much from David Hoby's insight into using cheap off camera lighting, and you will love the results you will get.
I brought two Vivitar HV285 flashes on ebay, for around $80 each! - these have opened a whole new world of professional Off camera lighting for me. How cheap is that!!
All the best, and get into the "Lighting 101 leassons!!"
Cheers,
Mark

I'm no expert on lenses, but from what I have read before, if you are shooting indoors a lens like this works really well:

http://www.amazon.com …oto-Cameras/dp/B00009XVCZ

or this

http://www.amazon.com …Camera-Lens/dp/B00007E7JU

Do others agree with this?

panthrcat wrote in post #6285241
my main concern is the lens. it being an f/3.5-5.6.. I don't know that I will be able to swing a faster lens,,

Remember that you can always rent a lens.