Wedding Gear Recommendations Needed

[Elon Gane]

I'm going to be shooting a wedding in October as the main photographer, And need some advice as for what lenses & stuff I should get.


This is the gear I currently have:


Canon Rebel XSi with grip,


Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS,


Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS,


Canon Speedlite 580EX II.


So what lenses and other stuff should I get? My budget is around $5000 and no more.


I'm currently thinking of getting the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS and Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II.


Would those two lenses be good for the whole wedding? It is going to be an inside wedding...


What other lenses should I consider?


What about another camera body?


Is there something else I need?





I would really, really appreciate any advice! []


Thanks!
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[ShutterbugJohan]

In addition to the 17-55 and 70-700, I would recommend purchasing a used 40D, 430EX II, and 50/1.4. This should all fit within your budget.

[Ghosthex]

In addition to the 17-55 and 70-700, I would recommend purchasing a used 40D, 430EX II, and 50/1.4. This should all fit within your budget.
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70-700 would come in pretty handy but it might cost more than $5000[:P]

[alex_sb]

Hi!





Indoor shoot... You may need another camera body, 2 umbrellas, 3-4 flashes (consider yongnuo 560, about 85-87 $ on e-bay), 3-4 battery packs, a bunch of RF-602 triggers, an assistant, checklist, spare memory card, Canon 50 f/1.4.

[Carlos Lindado]

You may need another camera body, 2 umbrellas, 3-4 flashes (consider yongnuo 560, about 85-87 $ on e-bay), 3-4 battery packs, a bunch of RF-602 triggers, an assistant, checklist, spare memory card, Canon 50 f/1.4.

I guess buying an assistant would be way out of a $5000 budget [] (Besides, I don't believe current laws would allow that, but you can always hire one [A]).

[PaulM]

If you get an extra camera body then you've got a backup and you can put one lens on each body so you can take group or protrait without changing lenses.


If you're going to use your flash quite a bit you might consider an external battery pack or the transistor pack. Your 580 has a connector for those. I used a Canon transistor packfor a relative's wedding and it made the flash last forever with very quick recycle time. However, having a springy cord attached to something on your belt can get annoying. If you're going to bounce the flash it'll use more battery. Don't forget to pack spares...


Personally I'd consider 85mm f/1.8 rather than 70-200 f/2.8. 200mm is pretty long at 1.6x indoors and 85 f/1.8 isabout 1stop wider than 85 f/2.8 at the short end. 85 f/1.8 takes great portraits- and it's a much lighter load. I'm no indoor wedding expert though - just that's what I'd prefer. Hmmm, $5000, 85 f/1.2... Hmmm...


Probably a good idea to find somewhere about the same size asthe venue, take some friends and try some focal lengths with your current lenses. That'll give you the best idea if you need something particular.


Best of luck.


Paul.

[neuroanatomist]

Welcome to the TDP Forums!


Absolutely get a second body. If this is a one-time thing, you might even consider renting one. But, either way having two cameras is much better - there's no do-over - if a lens stops working, well, you can move more and still get shots. If your one camera dies, you're done - and will likely have a very unhappy couple! The other main advantage to a second body is fewer pauses to change lenses.


The EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS and theEF 70-200mm f/2.8L II IS are excellent lenses with significant versatility. 200mm on a 1.6x crop might be long indoors, but during the ceremony you may need the length if you're shooting from the back of a church. Asecond the recommendation of a fast prime, 50mm f/1.4 or 85mm f/1.8. The 85/1.8 is an excellent lens for tight portraits (head/shoulders) on a crop body, but the 70-200mm will cover those, and usually you want wider framing at a wedding to show the bride's dress. Consider the 35mm f/1.4L, too, although it will take a substantial part of your budget.


You might also want to consider picking up a 500D Close-Up Lens for the 70-200mm, for hand/ring shots (the 0.21x magnification of the 70-200mm would be enough, but the MFD is 4 feet which might be a challenge - the 500D lens changes that to 20", a more convenient distance). I've used a 500D lens with my 70-200 II, and the results are very good.


For convenience, consider something like a BlackRapid double strap - slinging a body + 70-200 2.8 around your neck with the Canon neck strap will not be comfortable or convenient.


Only other recommendation would be to decide and purchase soon, so you have time to get comfortable with the new gear.


Good luck!


--John

[Ehcalum]

You will need, iron underwear, a few cans of your preferred energy drink, a few pills of valium, earplugs, the ability to tell the mother of the bride to go &amp;^&amp;^ herself as the bride is the boss.


You will need to be able to coax the groom to the alter, wrangle drunk family members, deal with the other guests who have cameras and shadow you......

[Sean Setters]

You will need, iron underwear, a few cans of your preferred energy drink, a few pills of valium, earplugs, the ability to tell the mother of the bride to go &amp;^&amp;^ herself as the bride is the boss.


You will need to be able to coax the groom to the alter, wrangle drunk family members, deal with the other guests who have cameras and shadow you......
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There is too much truth in this jest...

[Ehcalum]

There is too much truth in this jest...
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Who said anything about being in jest?