Weddings what kit

clangunn

clangunn

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I'm thinking of doing some wedding photos I have a Canon eos 400 with standard wide angle and a sigma 10-20mm also buying a lensbaby. Will this kit be any good or do I need something more suited to the task probably be going for more relaxed reportage style shots
 
For taking casual shots at a mates wedding - that'll do fine.

For advertising your services - what they said^
 
To answer your question.. yes that kit will take wedding photographs.. In fact it will take any photogrpahs you want.. well underwater shots might be out.. but yes will certainly do weddings OK..

However I really don't think your asking the question you really wanted to ask :)
 
It may do some wedding shots ok, but not all the shots that would probably be expected.
 
Welcome to the friendliest forum of smart arses on the internet.

While not ideal, that kit will be OK for some doco stuff, if it was all I had I would likely sit at the long end of the 10-20 for most of the day. The main downside being that it's not the fastest lens in the world, and the 400D isn't great in the dark. You can get more use out of the rest of the focal range on the dancefloor in the evening. Lensbaby is always fun for something a bit different, but don't overdo it - you'll get bored of them when you look back.

This is presuming you're shooting some stuff at a mate's wedding, as you've made no mention of it being anything other than that. (I don't think you have to be "ready" to do that either, billions of people do it every year without any preparation).
 
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At my daughter's wedding last year, her photographer used a 5DII, 24-105L, 50 or 85 f/1.2L, 70-200 f/4 L (he prefers it to the f/2.8 version) and IMHO he took some excellent shots. He had just bought a 5DIII, but had not used it enough to be sure to get what he wanted, so that's why he stuck to his 5DII for the shoot and had the 5DIII as backup. He's probably using the 5DIII now with the 5DII as a back up.

On your 400D you might want consider some wider aperture lenses, perhaps a humble 50mm f/1.8 to start with. Also useful to have a decent flash unit, though getting the best out of flash requires some forward thinking and practice of course.

I've not shot a wedding as the official photographer, but it seems to me that in addition to decent gear, knowledge of how to use it and creativity to visualise and capture the best images on the day, one of the most important skills is 'people management'. Organising wedding guests is like herding cats. Good luck, it's not for me that's for sure..

PS Don't forget spare batteries and memory cards...
 
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I could shoot a wedding with that gear, certainly, but it wouldn't be of my usual standard and I would be terrified only having one camera body. Is it as the main shooter or are you just grabbing some as a guest? If you're the main shooter, you should hire a second body and maybe a nice 85mm portrait lens. If you're a guest it's fine, just make sure you don't get in the main photographer's way or try to 'tag along' with portraits - even if the photographer says they're ok with this they really aren't (they're just being polite).

The best way to get into wedding photography is by going along with a pro as a second shooter or assistant. It's a job where social skills and temperament are very important and it's good to see a good pro in action. You'll get a chance to shoot and be creative while not having the pressure of delivering photographs. Also, you'll be able to build some portfolio.

In terms of gear. On a wedding I bring 3 pro bodies (2 to shoot, one spare), 24mm, 35mm, 45mmPCE, 50mm and 85mm, as well as a video light and flash (don't use either that much though) and loads of other bits and pieces. I shoot 90% of the day using the 35/85 combo.

Gear isn't everything but it is HUGELY important.
 
Ok thanks for reply watching some new lenses on ebay just want to try something different and a I've been asked a few times to do weddings
 
On the couple of times I've done weddings as the main shooter, I've always begged or borrowed as fast lenses as I can manage - 50/1.4, 24-70/2.8, 85/1.4 or 70-200/2.8 for instance - and I highly recommended doing something similar, there is never enough light indoors in dark old churches and you'll struggle with anything kit lens / variable aperture type lenses.
 
Yeah, I shoot primarily with a D4 and fast 1.4 lenses. You'll get all sorts of challenging light and you'll have to be able to deal with it quickly... or you can just stick on a flash gun and annoy the hell out of everyone;) Kit lenses will struggle in churches.

If its UK weddings you're doing, weather sealing is something to think about when buying gear. Only about 10% of our weddings so far this year have had no rain whatsoever. The rest have varied between mizzle and torrential.
 
Steve Smith said:
No one is born knowing this stuff. You have to learn somehow.


Steve.
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I didn't suggest they were. However I don't think it bodes well for any sort of professional photography if the first question asked is 'what sort of kit do I need?'
 
For your first few wedding tryouts that you are dong for free and in accompaniment to the paid photographer go down the KISS route your camera and standard zoom lens should be fine, before adding other lenses I would add a Flashgun that would make fill in flash easier.

If you are going to be the only photographer and you are going to charge then you should be doubling up on all your kit in case something goes wrong.

Just remember at the moment you are quite a long way from being able to charge for your work.

Paul
 
I agree with those here who say that the OP can take some wedding snaps using his existing kit. I think any tricky lighting conditions could prove a challenge though.

If taking casual shots in good light all will be fine.

I have only shot a dozen or so weddings so I am not in the same league as others here but I would dread the thought of doing anything more serious or paid work without a back-up body and some faster, slightly longer lenses.

Good luck to the OP though.

Everyone has to start somewhere and asking advice here seems like a great place to pick up tips.
 
All depends on what type of wedding photographer you want to be. I would put my money towards good glass before a speedlight. My flash rarely comes out til the dancing starts... Sometimes not at all. I'd be lost without my 35/85 lenses.

The sigma 50mm 1.4 is a great cheap prime and I imagine will only get cheaper now the art version is out. Would work as a portrait lens on a crop sensor.
 
clangunn said:
Ok thanks for reply watching some new lenses on ebay just want to try something different and a I've been asked a few times to do weddings
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You've had some great answers on the kit side of things so not point me saying it again but what I will say is this, to do weddings really well is a skill in itself before you even think about kit, and with the best will in the world not everyone has it, hell I know I don't have the skill, something that none photographer friends don't really get is that while you maybe be excellent at a style of photography they see you post on facebook or wherever and really know how to get the very best out of the camera at those type of photos, this doesn't mean you can do the same with weddings...

I've been asked countless times by friends and acquaintances who love the photos I post about shooting their weddings and every time is say thanks for thinking of me but I really am not the person they need to shoot their wedding, I'll tell them why and if they want I'll make a couple of suggestions from local wedding photographers I know of/worked with (myself and another member work as DJs (well I don't right now)) so work with a lot of photographers at events...who's work I admire....put simply just because someone asks you to shoot their wedding your not obliged to say yes, unless of course you are capable of doing a great job, and the right equipment, and equally important want to do it
 
Do you not need to learn new about new kit and how to use it before you become a professional. I never said I was a professional. It does not matter if it bodes well or not I still need to learn what will be right and wrong
 
clangunn said:
Do you not need to learn new about new kit and how to use it before you become a professional. I never said I was a professional. It does not matter if it bodes well or not I still need to learn what will be right and wrong
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It's kinda the other way round, once you're 'good enough' to charge for work, you understand all about the gear.

Not that anyone is saying you're charging for work, but that's the logical way to work it.
  • Buy camera
  • Get interested
  • Get good
  • Go professional

But there have been plenty of people in the past who think that
  • Take an interest
  • Go professional
  • Find out about buying gear and using it
Is just as acceptable (whereas you can clearly see that's be daft)
 
Who said anything about charging I was looking for advice on the kit I had and what would be better. If you can take up a new hobby and be a professional straight away you are bloody brilliant me I need to work at it find out what's best suited to the task and practice
 
I shot a couple of weddings on a 450D and a 500D but I had 24-70 and 70-200 both f/2.8 and 2 flash guns plus a 50mm f/1.8 and I had the canon 10-22 so yes it can be done but you need to know how to use your kit to its best, I always found the 450D performed better at higher ISO than the 500D Better kit makes it easier to get what you are wanting to get.

I was asked by my dads mate to shoot his wedding I had bought the 500D 4 weeks earlier, flash and 50mm bought on holiday. I said no originally they pestered me and said I had over a year to practise and they weren't having a photographer anyway so I had little to loose. eventually I gave in and looked at what kit was used for weddings bought the 2 new lenses mentioned above and got practising, bought a 2nd body the 450D then bought a 2nd flash as swapping lenses and flashes about was a pain, I then bought the 10-22 just for a bit of fun. I had planned on buying the lenses just not quite so soon. to be honest the photos were pants, I got things in focus and correctly exposed all the technical side of things right as I had been reading and watching tutorials for 11 months but there was no creativity and uncle bob could have taken them all down to a lack of experience in shooting weddings. The bride and groom loved the photos and that in the end is what mattered.

Now I can shoot a wedding and produce reasonable standard of images that I am happy with, I don't go out looking for wedding jobs as its not what I want to do and I always try to get them to go elsewhere and make recommendations even give them a crazy price if they continue to insist and most do go elsewhere.

A decent photographer will be able to produce quality images with pretty much any camera but it doesn't work the other way round.
 
Thanks little John one off the few sort of answers I expected. I've been asked to do a few weddings and thought I'd finally give it a go. I've not really done people or portraits so I know things will need work thanks again
 
clangunn said:
Who said anything about charging I was looking for advice on the kit I had and what would be better. If you can take up a new hobby and be a professional straight away you are bloody brilliant me I need to work at it find out what's best suited to the task and practice
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Will you have a re-read of what I wrote? :)

Rather than what you're assuming I wrote? :(

I was answering your question as quoted. No more or less.

We all shot our first wedding once, mostly for mates and for free, and when everyone asks about hooting their first they go straight to the passive aggressive assuming they're being slammed by Pro's.
 
I'm more of the opinion find out what you need get it practice with it. If you read the op I stated what I had asked if it was suitable and got arsey comments (and I'm not the only who thought that)if I need to buy new kit and learn more I will I'm not going to be charging or doing professional photos anytime soon I know that. People give smart witty answers that are no use I'm sorry if I was angry in my reply I just get annoyed with people who ( not you) who offer no help other than a smart arse comment to make themselves feel bigger and more all knowing than someone looking for advice
 
If you had mentioned in your original post what you have just said I'm positive that the response would have been different....(& by that I mean better for you)
 
clangunn said:
I'm more of the opinion find out what you need get it practice with it. If you read the op I stated what I had asked if it was suitable and got arsey comments (and I'm not the only who thought that)if I need to buy new kit and learn more I will I'm not going to be charging or doing professional photos anytime soon I know that. People give smart witty answers that are no use I'm sorry if I was angry in my reply I just get annoyed with people who ( not you) who offer no help other than a smart arse comment to make themselves feel bigger and more all knowing than someone looking for advice
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This is why explaining fully what you want to do and how to plan to do it can help enormously on an internet forum. Your opening post can be taken several ways and that is why you got such a reaction - it mainly reads like 'I have a camera so I am going to start shooting weddings next week, what do I need' - more information means better advice to follow, promise ;)
 
clangunn said:
I'm more of the opinion find out what you need get it practice with it. If you read the op I stated what I had asked if it was suitable and got arsey comments (and I'm not the only who thought that)if I need to buy new kit and learn more I will I'm not going to be charging or doing professional photos anytime soon I know that. People give smart witty answers that are no use I'm sorry if I was angry in my reply I just get annoyed with people who ( not you) who offer no help other than a smart arse comment to make themselves feel bigger and more all knowing than someone looking for advice
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I'd really like you to show what I said that was an arsey comment.
 
Big fan of Phils advice, and learnt from him, struggling to see what's offended you.

But on the other hand some people do have an air of arrogance in their postings. But that's life, especially in competitive walks of life which photography is.
 
I haven't shot many weddings but if you're being relied on as the main photographer then you certainly need to broaden your kit. By "standard wide angle lens" I assume you mean the Canon 18-55mm kit lens. That's a horrible cheap lens, and doesn't give much at the tele end. The Sigma 10-20mm is a semi-decent wide angle lens but there's not really much place for it at weddings - the most important shots of course are of the bride and groom and you probably won't be standing 3 feet from them all the time. You need some zoom.

If I only had a 1.6x crop sensor body I'd look at carrying at the minimum something like a 24-105mm. That at least gives you a bit more at the long end. I normally carry a 7D with 24-70mm and 5D Mark III with 70-200mm. This gives me coverage from 38mm to 200mm (35mm equivalent). If I need to go wider then 16-35mm on the 7D is perfect and the same lens gives super wide field of view on the full frame body. For the shots that I can set up, such as bride&groom portraits after the ceremony, I will pretty much always use the 5D with 85mm f/1.2

Edit: oh and of course, you'll probably want a flash.
 
Maybe contemplate hiring some lenses? It's not too dear. I defo think that your best option is to try and second shoot with a pro.
 
Maybe just stop and think what weddings are actually all about? Well it is portraiture first of all. So you need to get really good taking great portraits in variety of situations (and quick). You admitted having no experience of portrait work. Go and do some. Then there is a bit of photojournalism, some architecture, even macro (all details, rings, flowers, shoes, etc). You need to become pretty confident in all of them. So perhaps take a step back and make sure you can tick all of these boxes, learn techniques and upgrade the gear as you go.

As far as gear is concerned there are various different ways of shooting, different styles, etc. Only one is certain you need gear that can work well in stupidly low light (f/2.8 zooms or fast primes and ideally recent full frame body)... Well 2x of everything actually, because things break (this is not a joke but a sad reality).
 
clangunn said:
I'm more of the opinion find out what you need get it practice with it. If you read the op I stated what I had asked if it was suitable and got arsey comments (and I'm not the only who thought that)if I need to buy new kit and learn more I will I'm not going to be charging or doing professional photos anytime soon I know that. People give smart witty answers that are no use I'm sorry if I was angry in my reply I just get annoyed with people who ( not you) who offer no help other than a smart arse comment to make themselves feel bigger and more all knowing than someone looking for advice
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A while ago I read something interesting on a photography blog about what gear to recommend to someone just getting into photography and whilst I can't remember it word for word I remember the gist...

The guy recommended a top end full frame DSLR, the sort of thing that a pro wedding shooter might use, and three expensive top end prime lenses (many people think that three primes or indeed three zooms covering a popular range of focal lengths is the ideal setup.) The total cost was well into the thousands :D This, the blogger argued, would initially seem daft but when you look at the buying and upgrading path that the average keen amateur photographer goes down over a period of years and add up the cost it often costs more than just going for the top end gear would :D

So, many of us buy an entry to mid level DSLR and a "kit" lens or two and maybe soon get frustrated and so change the entry level zooms for better ones and then upgrade the camera for a better one and then go for even better lenses and then get a top end DSLR and then even better lenses and on and on it goes before going almost back to basics with a nice camera and three really nice lenses :D Such a final end point could be...

Nikon D810 - £2700.
Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art - £670.
Sigma 50mm f1.4 Art - £850.
Sigma 85mm f1.4 - £660.
Total - £A LOT.

That's a lot to spend on really nice kit on day one but you could spend twice that over a period of 5 to 10 years as you chop and change gear.

Not that I'd recommend buying top end gear straight off :D if only for the reason that photography can take you in many different directions. For example you may get into macro photography, or shooting sports events or architecture... or weddings... and for any one of these specialist areas there may be gear that'd suit you better :D
 
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Hi buddy welcome to the common forum attitude and please take some of the comments lightly.

In terms if your questions most of the guys would have answered quite frankly and honest in the essences that if you want to achieve artistic and great production, your kit is likely to be not up to scratch. However please also remember this, equipment only counts for 10% of the final result. Hard work and an eye for it (for photography) counts for the rest. No matter when kit u have, if you have an understanding of what you have and able to utilise them to their fully potential then I am sure you will get great results.

People tend to upgrade up in lens when they feel that they need to further their artistic/creative scope. So to answer your question, just simply ask yourself if you think you are able to take a good set of wedding pics with the kit u have.
 
ricky1980 said:
Hi buddy welcome to the common forum attitude and please take some of the comments lightly.

In terms if your questions most of the guys would have answered quite frankly and honest in the essences that if you want to achieve artistic and great production, your kit is likely to be not up to scratch. However please also remember this, equipment only counts for 10% of the final result. Hard work and an eye for it (for photography) counts for the rest. No matter when kit u have, if you have an understanding of what you have and able to utilise them to their fully potential then I am sure you will get great results.

People tend to upgrade up in lens when they feel that they need to further their artistic/creative scope. So to answer your question, just simply ask yourself if you think you are able to take a good set of wedding pics with the kit u have.
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Not too long ago people would have been shooting weddings professionally with the likes of a Canon 10D or 20D and maybe some still do. The image quality a 400D is capable of would have thought of as being right up there with the best back then and although kit expectations may be a little higher these days it's the final result and customer satisfaction that counts. Looking at the OP's kit list and the comments of others I'd say that a 30 or 50mm f1.4/1.8 would probably be good for low light use and a spare body would be needed together with raw processing software and probably/maybe a flash.
 
With regards to equipment I guess the best thing to think about when trying to decide on what you need, is make a list of what you want to do. So let's takes weddings as an example:

Ceremony - Candid/portrait/reportage. Possibly low light without the ability to use flash. So what do we need. Either fast lenses (low f number) or camera with good high ISO ability, preferably both

Rings/Shoes/details - Macro/product. Lenses with close Minimum Focus Distance, shallow DOF. Close to 1:1 reproduction. So ideally something suited to Macro.

Group shots - Portait/large group. Something wide angle

I could go on but hopefully you get the idea. If you are happy that your current kit can do this. Then all is good. If something is missing, then you know what you need.
 
woof woof said:
Not too long ago people would have been shooting weddings professionally with the likes of a Canon 10D or 20D and maybe some still do. The image quality a 400D is capable of would have thought of as being right up there with the best back then and although kit expectations may be a little higher these days it's the final result and customer satisfaction that counts. Looking at the OP's kit list and the comments of others I'd say that a 30 or 50mm f1.4/1.8 would probably be good for low light use and a spare body would be needed together with raw processing software and probably/maybe a flash.
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A properly shot wedding probably looked a little different than they are now. Surely they were far heavier on posed flash lit portraits and there was less expectation of some candids even in the pitch black. It can be done, but it requires a very decent amount of knowledge. Digital Rev cheap camera challenge is worth a watch.
 
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