Austerby
Well-known
I'm off to a fancy wedding next weekend and am thinking about my kit to take. I'm a guest, not the photographer, and want to take nice photographs of friends and family looking happy and enjoying themselves.
I have a choice of cameras and lenses and films (digital, 35mm, MF) and have my own ideas but I'd be interested to hear your suggestions for a useful kit to capture the day with.
I have a choice of cameras and lenses and films (digital, 35mm, MF) and have my own ideas but I'd be interested to hear your suggestions for a useful kit to capture the day with.
lynnb
Veteran
a 35mm lens would be my first choice. And a 50.
135format
Established
I would also take am 85 and/or 135 cos when the official tog is organising folks (if they do) you will have to stand back. And they good for getting shots of people without them realising.
Everyone guest will have a digi point and shoot with flash switched on which is a real pain at weddings. Hope you aren't epileptic or you'll be in trouble with all those flashes going off.
Everyone guest will have a digi point and shoot with flash switched on which is a real pain at weddings. Hope you aren't epileptic or you'll be in trouble with all those flashes going off.
maddoc
... likes film again.
To many variables, personally I would take a Leica M + BW film (400ISO) + 35mm lens OR Hasselblad XPAN 4/45 and BW film 1600ISO to try something different. I would avoid in any case a camera-bag, fancy accessories (except for a flash maybe), any other lenses.
hellomikmik
Well-known
MF - you'll be the only one, people will be amused, smiling and will not take you too seriously if they'll see a strange looking romantic camera.
Archiver
Veteran
A few weeks ago I was a guest at a wedding, and I took:
- Leica M9 and M7
- Ricoh GXR M-module
- Zeiss 21/2.8
- Voigtlander 35/1.4
- Summicron 50
- Summarit 75/2.5
- Zeiss Sonnar 50/1.5
- Fuji X100 for fun
- Contax T3 just in case
- Ricoh GRD III for pocket backup
My two main cameras were the M9 and GXR. The GXR had the Zeiss 50/1.5 on it most of the time as well as the EVF. The only two drawbacks of the GXR were the degree of slippage in focus peaking with busy subjects, and the slowness of shot to shot time. Apart from that it is a super camera capable of stunning images.
On the M9 I used the Summarit 75 and Summicron 50 most of the time. I shot a few wides with the Zeiss 21 but not that many.
If I was going to do it again, I'd leave the M7, T3 and X100 at home, or back in the hotel room. The M9 would have the 50 and the GXR would have the Zeiss 50/1.5, giving me 50 and 75 respectively; alternatively I'd rent a M8.2 for the weekend and use the Zeiss on that one. Another alternative would be to put the Voigtlander 35/1.4 on the GXR, making it a 50, and the Summarit 75 on the M9. I would put the Voigtlander 15/4.5 in my pocket so I could shoot 22.5mm on the GXR.
I've come to really like the 75mm focal length. It's long enough to shoot across rooms and groups of people but not so close as to be looking up people's noses.
Frankly, I tried to emulate the lens lineup of Riccis Valladares, which includes:
- Super Angulon 21
- Summicron 35 or Summilux 35
- Noctilux 50 or Summilux 50
- Elmar 90
- two bodies plus one spare
The families of the bride and groom were very happy with my photos.
- Leica M9 and M7
- Ricoh GXR M-module
- Zeiss 21/2.8
- Voigtlander 35/1.4
- Summicron 50
- Summarit 75/2.5
- Zeiss Sonnar 50/1.5
- Fuji X100 for fun
- Contax T3 just in case
- Ricoh GRD III for pocket backup
My two main cameras were the M9 and GXR. The GXR had the Zeiss 50/1.5 on it most of the time as well as the EVF. The only two drawbacks of the GXR were the degree of slippage in focus peaking with busy subjects, and the slowness of shot to shot time. Apart from that it is a super camera capable of stunning images.
On the M9 I used the Summarit 75 and Summicron 50 most of the time. I shot a few wides with the Zeiss 21 but not that many.
If I was going to do it again, I'd leave the M7, T3 and X100 at home, or back in the hotel room. The M9 would have the 50 and the GXR would have the Zeiss 50/1.5, giving me 50 and 75 respectively; alternatively I'd rent a M8.2 for the weekend and use the Zeiss on that one. Another alternative would be to put the Voigtlander 35/1.4 on the GXR, making it a 50, and the Summarit 75 on the M9. I would put the Voigtlander 15/4.5 in my pocket so I could shoot 22.5mm on the GXR.
I've come to really like the 75mm focal length. It's long enough to shoot across rooms and groups of people but not so close as to be looking up people's noses.
Frankly, I tried to emulate the lens lineup of Riccis Valladares, which includes:
- Super Angulon 21
- Summicron 35 or Summilux 35
- Noctilux 50 or Summilux 50
- Elmar 90
- two bodies plus one spare
The families of the bride and groom were very happy with my photos.
willie_901
Veteran
Since this is a wedding.
The largest, loudest full frame DSLR configured to fire in burst mode.
The largest zoom lens compatible with the DSLR.
The most powerful strobe that will automatically fire with the DSLR
Don't forget to follow the pro around and elbow your way into to all the posed shots. Use the strobe during the ceremony. This is required if the officiant insists the pro may not use their strobe during the ceremony.
A backpack full of batteries.
Actually, as a guest I like to use fast 35, a fast 50 and 85 mm lenes with a 24x36 mm digital body. This summer I will use a X-Pro 1 and X100 for the first time at a wedding.
I shoot guests more than the wedding party because the pro shoots the weding party. I mentally plan for B&W. I spend almost all my time trying to capture emotional, candid moments. I strive for results that will make people smile years layer rather than worrying about the optimum monochrome tonality, noise levels, 3D pop, or "the glow". I've even recorded images that are not razor sharp when I observe subjects expressing authentic emotions.
The largest, loudest full frame DSLR configured to fire in burst mode.
The largest zoom lens compatible with the DSLR.
The most powerful strobe that will automatically fire with the DSLR
Don't forget to follow the pro around and elbow your way into to all the posed shots. Use the strobe during the ceremony. This is required if the officiant insists the pro may not use their strobe during the ceremony.
A backpack full of batteries.
Actually, as a guest I like to use fast 35, a fast 50 and 85 mm lenes with a 24x36 mm digital body. This summer I will use a X-Pro 1 and X100 for the first time at a wedding.
I shoot guests more than the wedding party because the pro shoots the weding party. I mentally plan for B&W. I spend almost all my time trying to capture emotional, candid moments. I strive for results that will make people smile years layer rather than worrying about the optimum monochrome tonality, noise levels, 3D pop, or "the glow". I've even recorded images that are not razor sharp when I observe subjects expressing authentic emotions.
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kknox
kknox
M camera, 35 mm lens and some HP5+. I have done this twice, you just blend in & no one
takes a second look as you are not packing a bazooka.
Got some great shoots of the guests, in B&W. Have fun.
takes a second look as you are not packing a bazooka.
Got some great shoots of the guests, in B&W. Have fun.
swoop
Well-known
One camera one lens. Either 35 or 50. Or a normal zoom.
Anything more is really obnoxious.
Anything more is really obnoxious.
Jobin
Established
Have a good time. I just went to one recently and looking forward to the results.
Livesteamer
Well-known
Keep it small and light. Two weekends ago I went to a friends wedding and took M6 .85, 90 Summicron and a Leica table top tripod. I was in the balcony with the little tripod on the wide rail in front and shot the whole wedding. Quiet, unobtrusive and got some great shots.
As a kid I was a janitor in a big church and rang the bell for weddings. I was always interesting to see what the photographers brought. The average was a Spotmatic or Nikon F with a big strobonar (I'm giving away my age) but I also saw 4x5 press cameras with lots of lights and a few that shot the wedding with a IIIc and a couple lenses.
Whatever, have fun and enjoy the day. Joe
As a kid I was a janitor in a big church and rang the bell for weddings. I was always interesting to see what the photographers brought. The average was a Spotmatic or Nikon F with a big strobonar (I'm giving away my age) but I also saw 4x5 press cameras with lots of lights and a few that shot the wedding with a IIIc and a couple lenses.
Whatever, have fun and enjoy the day. Joe
damien.murphy
Damien
If it was me, just an M & a the lens I am most comfortable with, which for me is a 50mm lens. That and a few rolls of black and white, and you're set to enjoy the occasion, with any nice frames being a happy surprise. Rangefinders are made for capturing the moment like that in my opinion.
In any case, have fun & enjoy being a guest!
In any case, have fun & enjoy being a guest!
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
A TLR definitely.
You can hold the shutter speed quite low.
You will look cool to the guests which will make it easier to elicit interesting responses.
Practically silent.
... unless if you want to make a scene, a Bronica S would do the job nicely.
You can hold the shutter speed quite low.
You will look cool to the guests which will make it easier to elicit interesting responses.
Practically silent.
... unless if you want to make a scene, a Bronica S would do the job nicely.
kuvvy
Well-known
I'm going to a wedding in a couple of weeks as a guest and taking my X100 as my main shooter and prob the fuji X10 and GRDIV. This is gonna be a dry run for shooting another a month after at which I will be the official photog. It's an older couple marrying and I'm hoping to shoot on the X100 for that.
f16sunshine
Moderator
Rolleiflex and iPhone4s if I was a close and well known person in the circle of friends. If only casually aquatinted, a small x100 or maybe x10 type camera or just the iPhone4. If you know them well and might give them prints shoot for prints. If its just for a wedding blog or Facebook go casual.
KenR
Well-known
A couple of years ago I took a few rolls of B&W at my nephews wedding and made a photobook for those in the wedding party. A 21 and a 35 were all I took with no regrets. My only problem was the paid photographer, who despite my tux and status in the wedding party, was kind of rude and obnoxious to me (as well as anyone else with a camera). I just smiled and stood my ground, took the shots I wanted, tried not to get in his way and muttered a few choice words under my breath.
cjbecker
Established
There was a reason he acted like that. HE WAS PAID TO SHOOT, you weren't. People with cameras at a wedding are OBNOXIOUS to photographers.
dct
perpetual amateur
By end of May I will also be a guest at a wedding ceremony and party. There is enough digital shooting from others: I will try Superia 1600 for daylight indoors and Delta 3200 for the party time. All of it using my Hexar RF with CV28/3.5, CV50/2.5 and Elmar-M 90/4. I know focussing the 90mm at > f8 will not be really amusing... But I wanna try.
Lord Fluff
Established
Speaking from experience it's not always that bad - and as a pro I try to be as gracious as possible to the guests, provided they don't make a nuisance of themselves - I have nothing to gain by them not getting the shots they want, so long as they don't stop me getting the shots I am being paid to get.
That said, one rather lovely guest did once loudly call me a "peasant" for daring to get in *his* shot of the cake cutting, the little charmer.
I must admit it baffles me the idea of being a guest and bringing a backpack full of gear to a wedding. If I'm not working then I'm enjoying the booze and generally aiming to have fun, and the cameras get the day off. I can only assume that photography is a distraction from a somewhat boring wedding for some, and an excuse not to have to mingle with strangers and have the old 'so what do you do' conversations.
Stuart John
Well-known
Remember for many keen amature photographers a wedding is a chance to put all that camera gear to good use. For many a wedding it is something that only happens once in a while and they don't consider carrying some gear around to be working. I can understand a working pro not wanting to take photgraphs when they are a wedding guest and probably not even wanting a camera with them at all. However most wedding guests are not working proffesional photographers they are just trying to have some fun with a hobby.