FrankS
Registered User
A co-worker of mine invited me to her wedding. I'm quite excited about it because she and her groom are Indian and it will be a Zoroastrian wedding. Cultural diversity is an exciting thing for me and I am eager to take some photos during the event. I am one of those part-time weekend wedding photographers with over 50 weddings done over the years. As such, I will be sympathetic and careful not to get in the way of the hired gun. The official wedding photographer has to deliver the goods. It is his/her livlihood. I'm an amatuer photographer in the true sense of the word, I do it because I love it.
Anyway, I'm thinking about what photo gear to take. It will definitely not be my regular wedding gear because I'm not the primary photographer and I want to enjoy myself more. I won't use any flash as I want my shots to look different from the hired photog's. I'm thinking I'll take my Leica M3 with 50mm lens. Then I thought I could go even "lighter" and take just my Hexar AF with its 35mm lens. Then I'm thinking I could take both, along with my CV 25mm lens. That would give me 25/35/50mm focal lengths.
With both cameras I could use B+W film in the Leica and colour neg film in the Hexar. Because I don't know what circumstances to expect, I could just fall back to the Hexar only for easy-breesy photography if serious photography is not possible (due either to my mood or the atmosphere of the event) If it is possible to get into it, the Leica would allow some serious photography.
Sorry for the ramble, I was jsut thinking out loud trying to figure out what to do. Has anyone had a similar experience?
Anyway, I'm thinking about what photo gear to take. It will definitely not be my regular wedding gear because I'm not the primary photographer and I want to enjoy myself more. I won't use any flash as I want my shots to look different from the hired photog's. I'm thinking I'll take my Leica M3 with 50mm lens. Then I thought I could go even "lighter" and take just my Hexar AF with its 35mm lens. Then I'm thinking I could take both, along with my CV 25mm lens. That would give me 25/35/50mm focal lengths.
With both cameras I could use B+W film in the Leica and colour neg film in the Hexar. Because I don't know what circumstances to expect, I could just fall back to the Hexar only for easy-breesy photography if serious photography is not possible (due either to my mood or the atmosphere of the event) If it is possible to get into it, the Leica would allow some serious photography.
Sorry for the ramble, I was jsut thinking out loud trying to figure out what to do. Has anyone had a similar experience?
Wayne R. Scott
Half fast Leica User
Frank,
K.I.S.S. it. Just take the Leica and 50 with B&W film and enjoy the event. No decisions on which camera or film or lens to use, just see and feel the shot and take it. I'll bet that you get some real winners and the pro will probably not be shooting B&W to any great extent.
Wayne
K.I.S.S. it. Just take the Leica and 50 with B&W film and enjoy the event. No decisions on which camera or film or lens to use, just see and feel the shot and take it. I'll bet that you get some real winners and the pro will probably not be shooting B&W to any great extent.
Wayne
back alley
IMAGES
same as wayne but i would take the hexar for the 35mm focal length.
joe
joe
One camera w/lens, one film and enjoy.
FrankS
Registered User
Thanks for your ideas. I'm thinking a compromise: taking the M3 with 50mm lens and the CV25mm lens just in case I can get up close. That could be pretty dramatic.
T
tedwhite
Guest
I've got the CV25/4. Took it to a few public gatherings, parties, art openings, etc. Used fast film. Fun. But it's not RF coupled. Hmmm. Maybe if the light's not so good the 50? Don't know how fast the Hexar lens is, but 35 might be the better choice. I concur with the rest. Just take one camera and one lens. Fun is the operative term.
Ted
Ted
FrankS
Registered User
I can have fun with 2 cameras, yes I can.
DougK
This space left blank
My $0.02 worth...
I'll echo the one camera, one lens, and plenty of film. Either your Hexar or the Leica would be plenty of camera but I don't think I'd want to drag multiple lenses with me if I was just a guest.
You might also consider your Mamiya or your Fuji as being a good "single camera" choice although they definitely wouldn't be as compact or convenient.
I'll echo the one camera, one lens, and plenty of film. Either your Hexar or the Leica would be plenty of camera but I don't think I'd want to drag multiple lenses with me if I was just a guest.
You might also consider your Mamiya or your Fuji as being a good "single camera" choice although they definitely wouldn't be as compact or convenient.
K
Kin Lau
Guest
Well Frank, sounds like you're leaning towards 2 camera's anyhow, so go with 2 cam's. Hexar & the M3 w/ 50 and put the 25 in the pocket, because like every wedding I've ever been to, the lights are always _way_too_low_ at the reception, so you'll need a fast 50.
Besides, it's easier to have the extra camera in the bag unused than to keep kicking yourself and saying "I should have......"
Besides, it's easier to have the extra camera in the bag unused than to keep kicking yourself and saying "I should have......"
FrankS
Registered User
I figure that I'll be taking a bag to hold a camera and some rolls of film anyway, I'll just throw in a second camera and another lens. That way I'll be totally prepared for whatever I find. I could simplify by taking only B+W film. My only reason for taking colour neg film is because the prints are inexpensive to get, being machine made. All my B+W will be hand done: developed, contact printed, enlargements. There may be significant colour there too. I don't know what to expect at a Zoroastrian wedding, never having been to one before.
N
nwcanonman
Guest
Frank,
Since "fun" is the theme, I'd take one camera with color film. Then you could do B&W in Photoshop for those shots so desired.
The last time I went to a friends wedding and took my own camera, the bride and groom wanted my pics instead of the "Pro" who shot it.
Since "fun" is the theme, I'd take one camera with color film. Then you could do B&W in Photoshop for those shots so desired.
The last time I went to a friends wedding and took my own camera, the bride and groom wanted my pics instead of the "Pro" who shot it.
K
Kin Lau
Guest
I'd definitely keep some colour film around, Zoroastrian is actually of Persian origin, but Indian or Persian, I'd expect some pretty strong and interesting colours to show up... not the usual black tux & white dress scenario's.
Hi Frank -- I did this last July at a late-afternoon early-evening wedding outdoors in a garden setting, shaded from the summer heat. I made an early opportunity to introduce myself to the official wedding photog and assured him of my respect for his position and my desire to stay out of his way. One less concern for him. He was using a Mamiya 645 SLR I believe, with a fancy articulated flash bracket that allowed the camera to pivot for verticals whilst leaving the flash in position above.
I had my Bronica RF645 with the 65mm lens, and as usual I had Fuji NPZ800 loaded. No flash. I left the bag in the car trunk, as its function was only to keep the rig from banging around on the drive there and back. I had several rolls of fresh 220 in one pocket, and exposed rolls went in the other pocket.
I didn't worry about trying to cover the wedding completely, and didn't disturb the proceedings by standing or moving around during the ceremony. One guy doing that was enough. I also didn't try to duplicate the pro's shots. I was just having fun.
So the one camera with one lens was sufficient for me. For you, I dunno, but join the chorus of Hexar, Hexar!
I had my Bronica RF645 with the 65mm lens, and as usual I had Fuji NPZ800 loaded. No flash. I left the bag in the car trunk, as its function was only to keep the rig from banging around on the drive there and back. I had several rolls of fresh 220 in one pocket, and exposed rolls went in the other pocket.
I didn't worry about trying to cover the wedding completely, and didn't disturb the proceedings by standing or moving around during the ceremony. One guy doing that was enough. I also didn't try to duplicate the pro's shots. I was just having fun.
So the one camera with one lens was sufficient for me. For you, I dunno, but join the chorus of Hexar, Hexar!
Woops, somehow didn't get my sample shot loaded! Garter removal, of course...
But whatever gear you use, I'm looking forward to seeing the pics. Never saw a Zoroastrian wedding, should be fascinating!
JohnM
Well-known
This sort of ceremony might lend itself to two cameras. The 50 will give you a little reach, but the wides will allow you to gather more of the scene - there are usually a number of people involved with each aspect of the ceremony and the between that and the spread ("sofreh") that will be in front of the bride and groom, there is a lot to take in. You'll have to play it by feel; you'll want to stay out of the way and just take what you can without being obvious. Whichever camera/lens does that best will be the one you'll probably use.
I would bring two cameras to the ceremony and then leave one back in the car for the reception - easier to just have one camera and one lens at that point. (You want to enjoy yourself, too).
As for film - my brother was married in a similar ceremony and the colors are part of the experience. It would be a shame to lose them - I wouldn't shoot any B&W. You can always work that out after you scan your negs if you'd like. I would opt for Portra 400UC or something similar.
Hope this helps!
I would bring two cameras to the ceremony and then leave one back in the car for the reception - easier to just have one camera and one lens at that point. (You want to enjoy yourself, too).
As for film - my brother was married in a similar ceremony and the colors are part of the experience. It would be a shame to lose them - I wouldn't shoot any B&W. You can always work that out after you scan your negs if you'd like. I would opt for Portra 400UC or something similar.
Hope this helps!
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Bertram2
Gone elsewhere
FrankS said:
Frank,
as you say you are an experienced wedding photographer and so I don't want to give you advices, this is just my opinion:
I'd go with 2 bodies for 25 and 50 only, one lens more and you get busy with thinking and deciding if the lens should be changed or not and if so you need time for it. Two fixed combos make you faster.
The second thing is the choice of film. Knowing I won't use flash ( you say so) I never ever again go to an indoor event with a film alreday in the camera. I first know what ISO I really need when I am there and have metered .
So I take 800 and 1600 Superia with me for colour indoor, and 400, 1600 and 3200 for B&W indoor. The place decides only which one I need.
It is so annoying to have too less speed, but to have too much grain as necessary can be annoying too !! :bang:
Example: My latest stage shots here in the gallery. When I came there I noticed Superia 800 would have been enuff and it would have produced better results than the 1600.
The 1600 would have allowed me also to ve take my SLR with zoom with me for nice crops.
Wrong film wrong camera ? epends of the point of view. Annoying anyway.
Best,
Bertram
S
Sean Reid
Guest
Hi Frank,
I'm sure you have your own preferences based on experience but I'm finding that the widest I ever want to go at a wedding is 28mm and I would, in fact, prefer to be no wider than 35mm. I know many people are using much wider lenses than that at weddings but the effects they give are not for me. The classic focal lengths, 35 and 50, are my favorites for weddings.
Cheers,
Sean
http://www.still-photo.net
I'm sure you have your own preferences based on experience but I'm finding that the widest I ever want to go at a wedding is 28mm and I would, in fact, prefer to be no wider than 35mm. I know many people are using much wider lenses than that at weddings but the effects they give are not for me. The classic focal lengths, 35 and 50, are my favorites for weddings.
Cheers,
Sean
http://www.still-photo.net
N
Nick R.
Guest
Frank,
If you feel comfortable leaving the cameras out on your reception table, take two. One with color and one with B&W. That's what I did at the last event I went to, a charity fund raising dinner/show where I was the emcee. I just grabbed one as the spirit moved me. I used C-41 process B&W for its wide exposure latitude, but now I'd use tri-x and diaphine. I would also consider a modest flash to use with the color film. Eveyone will be shooting off flashes with the digital cameras they got for Xmas, so your flash shouldn't be a nuisance.
I'm curious why your not considering the GS645W. Too big? Hard to focus? I ask because I was thinking of getting a fuji 645 for just such occasions.
If you feel comfortable leaving the cameras out on your reception table, take two. One with color and one with B&W. That's what I did at the last event I went to, a charity fund raising dinner/show where I was the emcee. I just grabbed one as the spirit moved me. I used C-41 process B&W for its wide exposure latitude, but now I'd use tri-x and diaphine. I would also consider a modest flash to use with the color film. Eveyone will be shooting off flashes with the digital cameras they got for Xmas, so your flash shouldn't be a nuisance.
I'm curious why your not considering the GS645W. Too big? Hard to focus? I ask because I was thinking of getting a fuji 645 for just such occasions.
FrankS
Registered User
Nick, at my last wedding where I was the paid help, I did include the Fuji GS645W, along with my Mamiya 6 and Nikon F4. For this wedding as a guest, I would like not to take a MF camera. The only knock on the Fuji is it's very loud shutter sound. (clack!)