Quote Originally Posted by ddt0725 View Post
I apologize for beating a dead horse with what has turned into a VERY lengthy thread here but I thank you guys for putting up with me! Even my daughter said she doesn't want to talk to me if I am going to talk weddings ...LOL! And it's still a month and a half from the big day!!

First off, I haven't heard from the B-T-B since I sent her three days ago few questions to gain more insight of the wedding and sent her a couple options showing what could be available to her that are within her budget.

Presuming that she has been too busy to respond, I do have a few main concerns now that I have watched the day-long seminar.

#1 - Is the f/2.8 of my Siggy zooms really going to be enough?? Bumping the ISO to like 3000, 4000 on a 7d doesn't sound very appealing to me since I usually toss most of the photos I take if they are higher than 1000! Should I go with my Canon primes for the wedding and use the 50mm 1.8 II and 135L 2.0 and lose IS which may also cause more leg work and possibly cropping? Mr. B stated that you really shouldn't shoot people with wider than 50mm anyway.

#2 - This is sort of tied to #1 above. How close is ok to get to the ceremony without being too intrusive and where is best for me to be. Obviously, I can't cover everything! So, facing the back of the room and getting shots of the bridesmaids etc. & her coming down to the aisle, getting the back of her and his expression when he sees her, being close enough when the father hands her over to the groom ..."I Dream of Jeannie" & "Bewitched" comes to mind! The most I may have my daughter covering from the sidelines is stills of sitting guests and the wedding party during the ceremony. I don't think I have the skills that Mr. B has of slinging two cameras on me and switching back and forth as needed! Plus, he actually walks down on the side of the aisle with his assistant and uses her white shirt to continuously bounce flash off of!
Denise,
#1 - I shoot with my 24-105 @ f4.5 hand hold in Av ISO 800 or 1,000 on my 5D and 1DmkIIn. In most churches it works just fine. Your 7D will have more noise but not by much. I think ISO 800 will work. Use a tripod if you can. I somtimes i use mine like a mono pod. Yes, a headshot that fills the frame, shot with a 50mm will often make their nose look bigger. A 50mm on a 7D will not be as bad but I prefer an 85mm or 135mm for headshots. For full length a 35mm or 50mm work great.
#2 - I usually will be near the front as the Bride is escorted down the isle. I take a few flash shots from hear then move to just behind the brides mades to get the father giving her away. After that I move more to the back of the church center isle. I'll work my way up one of the side isle during the cerimony if possible. I have been to a few churches where I can get behind the alter without being seen. This makes for some great shots when I have the oportunity. My wife is usually in the balcony with the other camera on tripod.

Try to get in the venue with lighting like you think it will be and test, test, test to see what you think will work best for you.