Shooting a Wedding in April. What gear do I need?

form wrote in post #11834772
Minimum 2 cameras, f/2.8 or faster lenses

I simply don't have any f2.8 lenses, can't afford/don't want to buy them, and where I am can't rent them. So I have to make do with what I have. For my outdoor wedding in May I'm proposing using my 5DC with 24-105 f4.0. I have two Nissin Di866 flashes that I haven't mastered yet (but I will), plus umbrellas and diffusers/light boxes. I have my 7D/15-85 (sadly variable focal length) as backup. And I have an assistant also with 5DC/24-105 & EX430II. For portraits at the reception I could perhaps use the 50 f1.8 on the 7D.

I keep hearing "you must have f2.8 lenses" but I've met a few wedding pros who always use the 24-105 and presumably do pretty well, as they keep getting jobs.

It seems to me the trouble with using the 24-70 f2.8 is that the upper end falls right in the range I'd want to be shooting, so I'd constantly be changing lenses or switching cameras. But I say that not having used it.

Also have backup batteries (for flash and camera).
Plenty of Memory Cards
Need to cover long (70-200, 85, etc if you are in the back of the church, reception hall), wide for group shots, a good head and shoulder or full body shots for formals as well. My sig. shows how I tried to cover the ranges with reasonable yet fast glass.

I also have access to another 7D and a T1i plus a 24-105 and a 70-200L non is.

Backup on flashes as well- I have one and access to 2 more. I need to buy a couple manual flashes for umbrella stands.

Keep Murphy's Law in mind and prepare and you'll be okay.

peterbj7 wrote in post #11939377
I simply don't have any f2.8 lenses, can't afford/don't want to buy them, and where I am can't rent them. So I have to make do with what I have. For my outdoor wedding in May I'm proposing using my 5DC with 24-105 f4.0. I have two Nissin Di866 flashes that I haven't mastered yet (but I will), plus umbrellas and diffusers/light boxes. I have my 7D/15-85 (sadly variable focal length) as backup. And I have an assistant also with 5DC/24-105 & EX430II. For portraits at the reception I could perhaps use the 50 f1.8 on the 7D.

I keep hearing "you must have f2.8 lenses" but I've met a few wedding pros who always use the 24-105 and presumably do pretty well, as they keep getting jobs.

It seems to me the trouble with using the 24-70 f2.8 is that the upper end falls right in the range I'd want to be shooting, so I'd constantly be changing lenses or switching cameras. But I say that not having used it.

I think not having 2.8 lenses is inappropriate for a wedding pro. I am not saying you have to shoot at f2.8, and the 24-105 lens can do a lot for you, but there are times where I feel you HAVE to have fast lenses. Just try shooting in a dark church with your 24-105. Its not going to be pretty (last wedding I shot in a church, it was fairly well lit and I was shooting ISO 3200, f2, 1/160th on my 135 lens)

I agree with the 2.8 lenses. I loved my 24-105, but I switched to the 24-70 2.8 L and I can shoot an entire wedding with just that lens if I have to.

As far as the back up and spares...you have a 7D, no need to spend a ton of money on another high end body, borrow a rebel from a friend if you can. If not, You can rent a 24-70 and 70-200 2.8 L IS and a 40D/T3i for around $150 total for 3 days.

I like to use 2 580's, one on camera and one on a light stand for the reception. I used the 7D's wireless function for my last wedding and it worked very well. I would definitely get a flash bracket too.

I do use my 70-200 f4 IS for weddings a fair bit, but only when it's very well lit, and mostly only outside...
most times indoors, even 2.8 will be a struggle...
but you need fast lenses in this business, it's one of things that will separate you from the Uncle Georges and his 7D+Kit lens (or his 5D2 + kit lens)

It really depends on your shooting style. I have my 24-70 on my camera for almost the whole day, and barely ever change it, even when I'm shooting alone. My partner uses the 150 or 200 prime almost the whole time.

That being said, for an outdoor wedding during the day you are going to be fine without the higher speeds. Unless I'm doing posed portraits of just one person I try to stay above f4 anyway so that I know the focus is going to be there.

One gentleman above mentioned keeping plenty of memory cards and that is incredibly important. My first wedding my partner and I had about 25gb between us and we filled that up in an hour and a half. We had a back up method but it was slow! and we ended up missing the toasts because we didn't have any room. (It was for a friend who had just shot his first wedding as well, so he understood that there would be mishaps along the way.)

The 50 1.8 will work nice on some close portraits of the bridal couple.

Red Tie Photography wrote in post #11939784
I think not having 2.8 lenses is inappropriate for a wedding pro. I am not saying you have to shoot at f2.8, and the 24-105 lens can do a lot for you, but there are times where I feel you HAVE to have fast lenses. Just try shooting in a dark church with your 24-105. Its not going to be pretty (last wedding I shot in a church, it was fairly well lit and I was shooting ISO 3200, f2, 1/160th on my 135 lens)

This...100%

helloagain36 wrote in post #11941581
This...100%

make it 200%.

I shot my first wedding with the 40D and kit lens (17-85) and was forced to use the flash most of the time, otherwise f/4 just wasn't enough. I bought my 17-55 and 70-200 right after and would not even look at lenses slower than f2.8 now except for my wide angle and fish eye, especially if I have paying clients. I want the best for them.