> -----Original Message----- > From: gfen [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > > > > So, I've got to play photog at an upcoming wedding > reception (they already > know they get what they pay for), and while I'm not willing > to buy lots of > new gear for something like this, it IS an opporunity to > slip something > past the lady who controls the purse strings...
Good strategy my man, I employed it quite a bit myself when I was married. Of course, I'm divorced now. > > I was originally going to do the bulk of it via an A50/1.4 and the > AF35-70/2.8 (the softer aspects that this lens is reputed > to have was a > nice plus), Huh? Is this the lens sold with the MEF? Soft is good for portraits (according to some), not candids.... > > Would one of the 135 in either 2.5 or 3.5 be acceptable? Sure. Faster is better. > > Oh, and as I said, I'm supposed to just do candids, and > since I have no > flash (and couldn't use one correctly if I did), I figured > I'd stick to > available light, and big fstops for small DOF. Unlikely. Receptions are usually dark, and if you're not using flash you'll be lucky to get decent exposure wide-open. Is this thing going to be outside during daylight? > However, I'm > starting to > figure that perhaps 70mm might not be long enough... 70mm is long enough, you just need to brave enough to get up close to people. 135mm isn't really long enough to be all that sneaky, though it gives good compression if you want it. About 90% of my reception shots are done with a 28-70/2.8. I do sometimes sneak the 200mm out (the 135 disappeared), but generally it's just for a few headshots of close family and friends. Honestly, those shots are kind of boring - I much prefer to go wide and get close: http://www.bigdayphoto.com/images/28.jpg http://www.bigdayphoto.com/images/283.jpg http://www.bigdayphoto.com/images/285.jpg versus http://www.bigdayphoto.com/images/2326.jpg http://www.bigdayphoto.com/images/2328.jpg http://www.bigdayphoto.com/images/3702.jpg Those were from my first reception using the 200. One thing to watch out for when using a flash on a bracket....you can get too close and black out the eye-sockets: http://www.bigdayphoto.com/images/282.jpg In this pic the flash is basically hanging over her head and I should have backed out to 35mm instead of 28. Anyway, the compositions should show you what I'm talking about. Also, if you have no flash, shorter lenses allow you to handhold at shorter shutter speeds. The longest lens I use for available light at receptions is the 85/1.4 (this is the lens you really want). I can't rememeber ever shooting the 135 at a reception without a flash. Certainly not the 200. Ceremonies yes, receptions no. If I were in your shoes I'd get a flash. tv
