Wedding Photography as a back-up photographer w/ D7000

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Wedding Photography as a back-up photographer w/ D7000

(8 posts) (6 voices)

Started 7 months ago by Balton
Latest reply from Balton
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Balton

junior member
Joined: Feb '10
Posts: 7
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I am attending a wedding over the weekend and will take pictures as backup (there is an official venue photographer). I would like to travel light and as I just upgraded to a D 7000 from a D200, I need your advice on the subject.

I have the following lenses:
AF-D 20 mm f/2.8, AF-D 35-70 mm f/2.8, AF-S 14-24 mm f/2.8, AF-S 35 mm f/1.8 DX, AF-D 85 mm f/1.4 IF.

The wedding is at night in an indoor Venue with florescent lighting. I am also fighting an urge to stop buying recently released D600 ;-)

Thanks in advance for all your comments

Cheers

Umit

Posted 7 months ago #
R8R

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Joined: Aug '11
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Just my opinion here - I would take the two zooms and the 85. Don't bring all the primes, weddings go by too fast to constantly change lenses. Keep the 35-70 on most, the 12-24 for tight indoor shots and groups, and the 85 for portraits.

Make sure to do a custom WB on a grey card from the start.

If you do get the D600, bring the D7000 with the 35mm stuck to it as backup.

Posted 7 months ago #
msmoto

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Joined: Mar '10
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Here are several threads on wedding shoots... I also changed the name of your thread to make it a "new" topic.

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=2198

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=7476

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=2386

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=1631

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=2843

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=1292

And, in contrast to what R8R has suggested, I would use the 35mm f/1.8 on the D200 and the 85mm f/1.4 on the D7000. Shooting available light is apparently what you are doing as you have not mentioned any flash or other lighting equipment.

Posted 7 months ago #
sevencrossing

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Joined: Sep '10
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are you going as a second photographer or as a guest?

if you are a guest, just take the two zooms

Posted 7 months ago #
tcole1983

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Hmmm hard choice out of your lenses...personally I would probably go with your zoom for a single lens option. If multiples is an option I would go for the 14-24 and 85 F1.4.

If it were me I would shoot my 17-55 or equivalent since I am not the main photog and would let me use just one lens.

Really just depends on which focal length you think you are going to be using most...the speed of the lens will be negligible as you will have to just get the ISO up for the right shutter speeds (if shooting available light). My two lens suggestion will give you a little more flexibility in a zoom and fast prime.

Posted 7 months ago #
donaldejose

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Since you are not the "top dog" and he or she is likely to resent your presence because they fear you will take money out of their pocket if the couple don't buy some of their photos since the couple will have yours, I suggest you will not be given "good positions" from which to shoot. Each good shot you take is one the pro may not sell. You may sort of have to grab what you can get from where you are in order to get a shot of what is happening at the time. Thus, I suggest reach and fast glass will be most important. Hence, take the 85mm f1.8 and the 35-37 f2.8 with the D7000 body or if you are taking two bodies put the 85 on the D200 and the 35-70 on the D7000. The reason is simply to give you the best chance for framing from wherever you have to shoot from, which I expect will be from some distance away.

Posted 7 months ago #
R8R

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Joined: Aug '11
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Another idea is leave the heavy lifting photography to the main shooter and just do general candids. (table group shots, wedding cake, dancing, etc) Bring the D7k, the 20 and the 35. That will work for most everything. You wanted to go light, that's LIGHT.

Leave the heavy lifting of portraiture to the main shooter. You can work the crowd while the main shooter is busy with the wedding party just after the ceremony.

Remember to say, "Hello everyone!" when approaching a table and try not to get them eating. Nobody looks good in a pic when they are scarfing down dinner or wedding cake. The beginning of the reception when people are just seated is a great time to float from table to table and group to group before they get situated.

Posted 7 months ago #
Balton

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Joined: Feb '10
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Thanks for all the feedback. Unfortunately I was "encouraged" not to take any pictures as the Venue made money from selling the pictures on the night. They had one main guy with 3 assistants and those brought/flashed somewhat serious gear were politely asked to limit their shots to their individual tables and no group shots with the lucky couple. But I do appreciate all the feedback, and learnt that even the groom asks you to shoot for them, one need to check with the venue principles as it is their money earner after all.

Posted 7 months ago #