Hi Markus, First of all, regarding wedding photography, there's dozens of folks on this list that know more about it than me. And I'd like to keep it that way too :-) However, I generally use the ZX-5n with color film (the Fuji portrait one, whats it called? NPH?) and the Super Program with black and white. Since most of the shots people seem to want are in color, the zoom lets me capture those with a minimum of fuss. The black and white generally is shot alongside color for the more "posed" shots. Out in the car in a spare bag is a couple more camera bodies that can be used as backups in case of equipment failure. Regarding analog (film) vs. digital, I have no experience. Digital would let you shoot more while holding costs down but I would imagine for myself that if I stopped to review every shot taken digitally to examine for exposure errors, closed eyes, etc. the delays in covering the wedding would be fatal. Better it would seem to shoot more and edit later. As for AF vs. MF I'm more confident in my ability to focus than I am in the ZX-5n's, tho' when I use AF I've rarely had problems.
Regarding lens selection, my personal taste is to limit depth of field to a large degree. This means using faster lenses than most zooms. Also, image quality is quite subjective, but I prefer the photographs made with certain primes over the zooms I've had, borrowed, or still use. This is more than just sharpness, but the total image quality. This is my personal preference. Hope that helps, William in Utah ----- Original Message ----- From: "Markus Maurer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 8:32 PM Subject: RE: SMC (K) 28mm f3.5 on Ebay > Hi William > just wondering: > why do you use fixed length lenses, is the quality of zooms not good enough > for you or do you need the 2.0 aperture of the 85mm often? > With a 85/2 prime compared to the 28-70 zoom, you have to move yourself > more, > is this not a disadvantage and additional stressing factor at a wedding or > does it just help to keep yourself in good shape :-) > At weddings, do you use the Pentax Super Program only as backup solution to > your ZX-5n > or do you have it loaded with different film types, for ex. b/w? > Is as non-auto focus camera quick enough for you to catch everything? > Is analog still safe enough for a wedding as you can not guaranty the > results? > > You see, I *am* really interested. > thanks for your email William! > Markus > > > > William wrote: > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- > --------- > > Subject: Re: SMC (K) 28mm f3.5 on Ebay > > > Well, equipment choice depends on what I'm going to be doing. If I am doing > photography primarily for myself, I tend to use a K1000 SE, ME Super or one > of my ME's the most, along with a Zenitar 16/2.8 fisheye, K30/2.8, K or M > 50/1.4 and either M85/2 or K105/2.8. Like you , I like the older equipment. > Also, I mostly shoot black and white at these times. However, I tend to use > some different equipment in other situations, such as for weddings (which I > hate to shoot, but I have my fourth one so far this year coming up despite > my best attempts to get out of them) I'll use a ZX-5n and Super Program with > FA28-70/4 and M28/3.5 and M85/2 for most of the shots. A couple of weekends > ago a spent a few days out in Utah's desert plataeu mountain biking, for > this and other recreational activities I'll pack light with a ZX-M or > Program Plus and the A35-80/4-5.6 and 16/2.8 fisheye. > If I had to limit myself to 4 lenses, it would be the 16/2.8, 30/2.8, > M50/1.4 and M85/2. > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- > ----------- > > >
