I hate using zoom lenses because they are not very fast. I work alone and have become very proficient in the use of my equipment. I lost a few jobs because I couldn't convince some clients that I could do the job just using 35mm film so I got a Pentax 645. If clients want digital I post all of the images on CD's (at their expense, of course). Oh yes, I have been doing wedding for over 20 years. I also teach a wedding photography class. I must be doing something right.
Jim A. > From: "Tanya Mayer Photography" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 11:57:53 +1000 > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: RE: Upcoming wedding, need shooting advice, lenses > Resent-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Resent-Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2004 21:00:22 -0500 > > Jim said: > > "My standard equipment for a wedding are two Leica M2's, a Pentax LX (or > PZ1-p) and a 645 Pentax (for formal poses) > Lenses are a 35mm Summicron f2 for the Leicas, a 40mm and 105 for the > Pentax LX, and the 75 or 55 Pentax 645 lenses. > Strobes are the Sunpak 444, 280T (backup), and the 400T with the 645." > > OMG!! Are you crazy man?!?! FOUR bodies INCLUDING a medium format?!?! How > the heck do you carry the stuff around with you?!? When shooting film, I > take three bodies, one stays in the car as a backup, one is loaded with > colour (neg) film, and the other with bw. The FA 50mm f1.7 stays on the > black and white body at all times - it is perfect for a PJ perspective - > light to carry and easy to access for those "grab" shots, fast enough to not > need a huge flash attached to it. Usually, my MZ-6 is my black and white > camera. I always use Kodak T400cn for my "black and white" film. Then, I > have a PZ-20 for the bulk of the work, which I load with Fuji NPC 160 or > NPH400 if I need more light. I generally leave a good zoom on this lens, > and I have been loving the results I have been getting with the FA 28-105mm > f4-5.6 (a bit slow but nice and sharp). It has the psuedo macro function > which comes in really handy for shots of the rings etc. I have a Tamron > manual lens 135mm f2.5 that I LUUUURVE and that I use for bridal portraits > etc (BEEE-U-TEE-FUL bokeh). I also take along all of my other lenses, but > they almost always stay in the car unless I have something special to use > them for. > > For group shots, I ALWAYS use the FA 50mm f1.7, gives the best results, > don't have to move too far away so get good flash coverage, but it still > fits everyone in without any distortion and is also quite flattering too... > > Jens said: > > "And - I would use a rangefinder with a silent shuitter..." > > Honestly, I am totally over the need for "quiet" during weddings. I even > use my little focus confirmation beep on all of my bodies. People EXPECT to > have photography at weddings now, and a little click from a shutter is much > less distracting then the 2 year old in the front row chucking a huge > tantrum cause he wants to play with the candles... As long as you aren't > climbing on the altar and throwing stuff around, and exercise a bit of > discretion, most priests/churches are pretty accomodating and the guests > never notice the difference... > > Jim also said: > > "During the ceremony I never use flash, even if the minister says its OK. I > will have my LX on a tripod. I do use a flash during the procession down the > aisle at the start and also the procession at the end." > > I use flash if necessary, again for the same reason that I mentioned above. > People EXPECT it, so there is really no need to try and hide it. Of course, > if the light is right, nothing looks or sets the mood better than images > with candle and ambient light bouncing around. Flash most definitely can > detract from this, but sometimes it is just necessary... > > Oh, btw, never used a monopod, but you just CAN'T underestimate the value of > a tripod. Especially for after sunset after sunset, available light shots, > which are my absolute favourite thing to do... > > tan. > > > >
