Wedding Photography (in a months time)

Mr Jones

Mr Jones

Mr Jones

Soldato
Joined
16 May 2006
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Dubai
I've had this booked for a couple of months now and just sent and received confirmation that the wedding is still going on next month. Essentially, this will be my first wedding shoot and I'll be the only photographer.

We've discussed and come closer to time, I'll make sure I'll have another chat with the bride to confirm what she's expecting to what I can deliver. Essentially, I am doing this shoot for absolutely nothing. It'll be my first and AFAIK, it's just a simple signing at the reg and then a small reception at the pub, with only close family members.

I currently am using an Olympus E620 and a 12-60mm (24-120mm) f2.8-f4 lens. I often look at it as the canon's 24-105mm equiv. I also have a Metz 48-AF1 flash, along with a stofen bounce and gary fong lightsphere. I am looking to rent a lens to supplement my lens and here's the 2 option;
Olympus ZD 12-35mm (24-70mm) f2 lens OR
Olympus ZD 35-100mm (70-200mm) f2 lens

Yes, they are indeed f2 lenses and I'm hiring them, just to give them a test on that event. I am only looking to hire 1 of them but I can't make my mind up which:
1) I've already got the 28-120mm range covered, even if the lens is a couple of stop slower, f4 is sharp through on the 12-60mm. Would make sense to use the 35-100mm, much like the Canon's 70-200mm, except it's heavier and brighter, for when I need the tele shots.
2) I hire the 12-35mm and shoot in the 24-70mm range using f2 for all the fancy bokeh shots for the wedding, might even push the ISO up to 800 and avoid using the flash all together. Since I'll be the only photographer, I can be as close (WRT the bride) as a paparazzi shooting a celeb down Hollywood, no need for a tele.

I'd like some experienced feedback so I can make an informed decision to my next lens hire - will have the lens a couple of days before the wedding to play too.
 
Personally i am not worried about the focal length, (focal length you can work with), but the ISO performance, that is the drawback of the 4/3s, ISO 800 is not enough for me. Considering I have shot the evening do with ISO 3200 at F/1.4 with flash at 1/50th of a second, using the ISO to get the background light and flash to light the subject. You are talking about ISO 800 at F/2, thats like 3 stops difference there.

That's my 2 cents.
 
Mr Jones said:
Olympus ZD 35-100mm (70-200mm) f2 lens
Click to expand...

Wow that lens is 2k...! Go for it, could be fun:P Either that or a fast prime but I doubt you'd want to be changing lenses unless you can find a spare body.

If they're just signing a register then I'm guessing you won't have to worry about being in a dark church... Can just hold back with the 35-100 if needs be and leave the flash. You'll also have the benefit of blurring out any untidy backgrounds which might be a problem if the surroundings aren't so great.

Then, in the pub you'll prob be using flash regardless of what lens in which case you'll be wanting f/5.6+ when doing group shots etc, so no need for a high speed WA lens (not that yours is particularly slow).
 
Aye, I agree.
I am doing it in the summer (hoping it's summer weather outside at least) and this opportunity was just by chance. I would love to have a FF and a trinity of primes for this but I can only do what I have and just chalk it in as I did that once.

As I said, it's only a small wedding so chances are, it's not going too deep into the night. I've always got the flashgun to blind every drunken relatives if I am pushing it higher than ISO3200.

My worry here is I'll hire the shorter lens and find I would have been better using the longer or the other way around (except I do have my own lens as back up with the tele combo). I am however, swinging for the 14-35mm as a 1 lens for the event...
 
Stupot_ said:
Wow that lens is 2k...! Go for it, could be fun:P Either that or a fast prime but I doubt you'd want to be changing lenses unless you can find a spare body.

If they're just signing a register then I'm guessing you won't have to worry about being in a dark church... Can just hold back with the 35-100 if needs be and leave the flash. You'll also have the benefit of blurring out any untidy backgrounds which might be a problem if the surroundings aren't so great.

Then, in the pub you'll prob be using flash regardless of what lens in which case you'll be wanting f/5.6+ when doing group shots etc, so no need for a high speed WA lens (not that yours is particularly slow).
Click to expand...

I see your logic there and BTW, the 35-100mm is actually going for around £1500 if not cheaper if one shops around... not that I can afford it unless today's Euromillion has my numbers...
 
I'd say to keep stress levels down stick with the 12-35mm f2 lens. If you keep your own lens with variable aperture along the focal range you'll end up frustrated as your settings will constantly change and you don't need that at a wedding.

The 12-35mm will give you enough range that you'll be able to do some semi wider shots but also zoom in for some nice portraiture shots as well.

The 35-100 would be a nice to have but I don't think you'll be too fussed not having it on the day, especially as it's a smaller wedding. A large lens at a small family reception is going to draw attention to you which will nullify the main reason for having it imo.
 
having just shot a registry office wedding myself I'd immediately disregard the long lense, you just won't need it. I shot using my 20d and an image stabilised wide angle zoom in the registry office. Then moved on to a 105mm macro which I find gives me lovely dof for portrait shots at the reception.
 
After some thought and the comments; I'll be going for the 14-35mm f2.0 as the 1 lens to use for the whole wedding, since I am the official photographer, I can be right up next to the couple if I need to be closer anyway.

I might supplement it with the Olympus 50mm f2.0 or 35mm f3.5 macro lens with my previous E420 body (now my little brother's) on top of that. Would be easier if I just strike the lottery though :p
 
All the best for when you do the wedding. On a side note I'll be avoiding the pro photographer this weekend for my mates wedding. Will probably be using the nifty 50 throughout the day (in between best man duties). Hoping to get some more candid shots rather than set poses but we'll see what happens. Just a shame i wont be able to process them for a couple of weeks since my pc is out of action :(
 
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