Nikon Wedding Setup - Any thoughts??

[jackyboyboy]

Hi numnumball,

Perhaps u can try

1. D700 + 50mm F1.4 (shoot indoor, church...etc, low light & up ISO, fast aperture, and bokeh DOF)
2. D90 + 17-35 F2.8 +SB900 (group shot, tea ceremony, in the room shots, tight space use UWA)

or

1. D700 + 24-70 F2.8 with SB900
2. D90 with 17-35 F2.8

plus 1 batt grip. and spare batts for flash and body.

but as you said, you will be covering as 2nd PG. So will you be covering more of Photo-journalist style on different angles from 1st PG or just taking some candid and portraits around. Setup maybe a bit different.

For me,
I use setup covering for friend's wedding as 2nd PG
1. D700 + 50mm F1.4 (main camera, need very fast shutter speed, miss the moment no rewind)
2. D5000 + 17-55 F2.8 + sb900 (for group / need flash / zoom reach as I may not walk in/out)

Just sharing some of my basic experiences.

Thanks.

 

[surrephoto]

Agree with Lumiere regarding what style you are trying to achieve will determine how you choose your gear.

If you go with an f2.8 lens, you'll need a flash no doubt. Even if your D700 has high-ISO I wouldn't get to excited about exceeding ISO 1600.

If i'm a 2nd pg i'd be worried if my shooting affects the main pg's job. As a first shooter I would be really irritated If my shot was ruined by another guy's flash. And you never know when that happens, despite the low possibility.

If you use a UWA you might unconsciously get too close. I'd choose a 35 f1.4, 50 f1.4 or 85 f1.4 (all fantastic but all very different) with a full-frame cam.

 

[SabaDen]

My niece's wedding is at end of year. I got her 2 pros to shoot her wedding ... me just there to shoot the bits & pieces. Will having only just the 50mm f1.8G with D700 suffice?

 

[kentwong81]

My niece's wedding is at end of year. I got her 2 pros to shoot her wedding ... me just there to shoot the bits & pieces. Will having only just the 50mm f1.8G with D700 suffice?

Yes, the 50mm is sufficient. However, since there are 2 photographers covering your niece's wedding, you may also consider using a longer lens such as 85mm so that you won't block the 2 photographers. You don't wish to appear in every photos taken by these 2 photographers right?

 

[Dfive]

I use all Equipment below - as shown in my Signature

 

[Irvine]

I use all Equipment below - as shown in my Signature

r u serious about bringing ALL of these in ur siggy at one go to shoot weddings? wouldnt the load be extremely heavy?

 

[daredevil123]

r u serious about bringing ALL of these in ur siggy at one go to shoot weddings? wouldnt the load be extremely heavy?

Shoulders of steel!

 

[Lumiere]

My niece's wedding is at end of year. I got her 2 pros to shoot her wedding ... me just there to shoot the bits & pieces. Will having only just the 50mm f1.8G with D700 suffice?

Why not let the pros handle the photos...I think your niece would appreciate more if the photographers can get a nice shot of you in a great moment too. When family and guest are over enthusiastic to take photos...then who is left for the photographers to get good expressions, emotion and moments? Who is gonna be there to be happy and cheer, smile and laugh and toast and cry? I think its very sad for the couple when the family and relatives being over eager to turn photographers. Just my 2cents having seen so many of these instances

 

[SabaDen]

Thanks Bro kent

Bro Lumiere, appreciate yr concern ... I will be bringing my cam anyway and just shooting by the wayside if I felt like it but I can imagine it to be in the bag most of the time. U can rest assure me not those over eager wanting-to-be-photographer type that's why I thot of taking only 1 lens. I too wanna celebrate the grand moment with the whole family ... that's 1st and foremost in my mind. Nonetheless, I get what u meant and do appreciate yr comments

 

[Lumiere]

Cheers...have fun at the wedding!

 

[Ferderico]

from my personal experience, a 70-200mm during the day especially during the gate crash is a big hassle.

it is big, it is clumsy and it is loud. Everytime u point that bazooka lens at a subject, he/she will know - less candid shots.
And bcos u are holding such a big lens, everyone will think that you are professional and will be asking u to take their photos. Imagine at 70mm u wanna take a a half body-3man group photo... You will have to move really far back.

The only time i use the 70-200mm... is for pre-wedding, church, ball room dinner.... other than that, it will be in my bag.

ideally u should have D700 24-70mm (covers ur wide and mid), D90 50/85mm prime...
Keep a flash(SB600) in ur pocket and leave the battery grip at home.

Tiredness & fatigue will be ur worse enemy. Keep yourself light and you will end up with more shots.

 

[Lumiere]

Thats why it's good to have an assistant to carry bags, change lens, get water and a 2nd photog to shoot groups

 

[bethpapa74]

can ask maid to carry that bazooka mah...