Do it all bag for weddings

technics100

technics100

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Some advice regarding bag choice. I have done a few weddings and have the following gear:

D750, D3, 35mm f/2, 50mm f/2.8 macro, Cosina 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5, 85mm f/1.8, 70-200 f/2.8 VR2, 3 flashes, triggers, batteries, etc etc for the most part the 35mm stays on the D750 and the 70-200mm on the D3, everything else stays in my bag until I need say details or portraits.. I currently have two bags – Lowepro Event messenger (daily usage bag for one body and a few lens) and a Tamrac backpack. I would like one shoulder bag to take them all for the day.. I did have a Lowepro Nova 5 in the past but I think it would even be too small. Anyone any ideas? Not wanting to spend hundreds on Lowepro rollers as at this stage it’s still a hobby..
 
Carrying a bag that holds everything is a fools errand.

Sensibly, you're wearing 2 cameras with lenses and flash guns (optional). So you need s bag to carry the lenses you're not using. Then in the car a bag that'll take your cameras home and hold flashes triggers and other stuff that's optional.

I once bought a bag that holds everything. It went to one wedding. No one needs to cart a bag that size.
 
Phil V said:
Carrying a bag that holds everything is a fools errand.

Sensibly, you're wearing 2 cameras with lenses and flash guns (optional). So you need s bag to carry the lenses you're not using. Then in the car a bag that'll take your cameras home and hold flashes triggers and other stuff that's optional.

I once bought a bag that holds everything. It went to one wedding. No one needs to cart a bag that size.
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I'm upset now :(

Sob

Aside from some OCF gear everything else goes into my backpack which I carry around with me all day

Sob

Dave
 
I don't generally take a bag to weddings at all - two bodies short lens on one, long lens on the other, flash guns on both - couple of fast primes in a low pro belt pouch for back up - cards and batteries in my pockets

any gear beyond that stays in the car
 
for all that you need a roller bag unless you want surgery in 5 years on your shoulder, as Phil says the 2 bodies with 2 lenses should be stuck to you so its just a sensible sized bag for the rest of the stuff, I use a billingham 335
 
I use one of these for weddings...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vanguard-S...&qid=1467212976&sr=8-5&keywords=vanguard+case

It's pretty extreme but I can roll it in, take out the gear I need then leave it in a safe place in case I need to go back to it. I can drag it from room to room without putting the weight on my back / neck. I also use the Peak Design capture clips to put the camera weight onto my hips.. Anything to take it off my neck and back :)
 
When I started weddings it was two rolleiflexes and one large braun flash, One of the rollies stayed in the car with a second smaller flash. And spare accumulators for the flash and a stock of film.
later on both rollies were carried one with b/w the othe colour.
Later still it, reverted to a single rollie with colour only.
I carried four 5roll packs of film in a special large inside jacket pocket on one side, and another pocket for exposed rolls on the other.
Apart fom an incident meter round my neck, that was it.
I looked no different than most of the guests, apart from the flash pro flashes were big beasts in those days.
Rollies never went wrong so most professionals never even had a spare. When I sent out operators to cover weddings it was always one each.
 
I don't do weddings, but if I did, Phil's comment makes sense - carry what you really need, everything else parked somewhere to hand.

My solution though, would undoubtedly include a Black Rapid sling strap, probably a double jobbie, plus one of the ThinkTank Speed range (Speed Demon, Speed Freak or Speed Racer) and/or a belt bag for flash/lens/whatever on the Speed Bag. Spreads all the weight evenly and keeps your hands free. TT's Speed bags are a very well thought out shoulder/belt solution to carrying a fair amount of gear easily with instant access. Check the video here :thumbs: https://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/speed-freak-v2

I also have a couple of your Lowepro Event Messenger bags. They're a very good and cheap bag, of a good size and shape for storage. I have one for flash and stuff, another for lenses.
 
HoppyUK said:
carry what you really need
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This is my problem though, I don't now what I'll need for certain at any one time, so I carry it all :)

At my last Wedding I suddenly needed scissors for the Bride's dress, then plasters for a small Bridesmaid and Paracetamol for the Bride's mum. I needed wet wipes for my hands after lying (as I often do) on the floor, and tissues for my snotty nose (hayfever). I also needed some business cards when a guest was enquiring of me and a pen & notepad t take her details too. I later needed a big bin liner so my Bride could sit on a damp bench for photos; and I carry a host of other stuff just-in-case too, all stuff that I've needed before but didn't have, now I have it

Oh and I regularly swap between 3-4 lenses on one body (the other never changes, that's by f8 camera lol) so they're all in my bag too; along with 2 speedlights and other photo-stuff

I've considered the swinging straps and belt things, but I clamber about, climb stuff and drop to the ground too often and they'd just allow the spare camera & pouched lenses to get in the way I feel - so a big rucksack bag is what I carry all day long, and when its not on my back its parked very close, usually in sight (just in case too)

Works for me :)

Dave
 
Thanks for all the input.. The bag is more to hold it and be available while shooting I don't really intend to lug it about all day.. Agreed both bodies will be on straps with the 35mm and 70-200mm.. just handy to have one bag there with easy access to macro lenses flashes etc
 
35mm + 85mm lens (or 70-200) is all I am looking to use at weddings going forward. Hate carrying extra bags etc now
 
F/1.4 said:
35mm + 85mm lens (or 70-200) is all I am looking to use at weddings going forward. Hate carrying extra bags etc now
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Yeah, 35mm stays on one and generally 70-200mm on the other (just because I have it - it's my dads) then a wide for groups if needed, but 35mm generally works fine.. I was thinking of a Lowepro Nova 200 as the 70-200mm can stand upright in it..
 
Agree with all that's been said, carry what's really necessary and have the other lenses in a smaller bag nearby.

Personally I prefer using the waist spider pro system than having heavy cameras swinging from your shoulders. You can also strap on the think tank speed changers or the skins - handy for a flash etc.
 
Phil V said:
Carrying a bag that holds everything is a fools errand.
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:agree: The way forward with weddings is to minimise the amount of gear you take with you. That's my opinion based on 450+ weddings over 10 years. starting with enough gear in a big Billingham to open a camera shop because I knew no better, and ending with two bodies, one flash and belt pouches because I'd learned the hard way ...
 
I had the lowepro x300 pro roller for wedding photography, worked like a charm. I had 2 bodies (gripped) 6 lenses, 2 speedlights and extras
 
DG Phototraining said:
This is my problem though, I don't now what I'll need for certain at any one time, so I carry it all :)

At my last Wedding I suddenly needed scissors for the Bride's dress, then plasters for a small Bridesmaid and Paracetamol for the Bride's mum. I needed wet wipes for my hands after lying (as I often do) on the floor, and tissues for my snotty nose (hayfever). I also needed some business cards when a guest was enquiring of me and a pen & notepad t take her details too. I later needed a big bin liner so my Bride could sit on a damp bench for photos; and I carry a host of other stuff just-in-case too, all stuff that I've needed before but didn't have, now I have it

Oh and I regularly swap between 3-4 lenses on one body (the other never changes, that's by f8 camera lol) so they're all in my bag too; along with 2 speedlights and other photo-stuff

I've considered the swinging straps and belt things, but I clamber about, climb stuff and drop to the ground too often and they'd just allow the spare camera & pouched lenses to get in the way I feel - so a big rucksack bag is what I carry all day long, and when its not on my back its parked very close, usually in sight (just in case too)

Works for me :)

Dave
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does the husband to be know you "suddenly needed scissors for his brides dress":eek::D or is it just my dirty mind:exit:
 
DG Phototraining said:
This is my problem though, I don't now what I'll need for certain at any one time, so I carry it all :)

At my last Wedding I suddenly needed scissors for the Bride's dress, then plasters for a small Bridesmaid and Paracetamol for the Bride's mum. I needed wet wipes for my hands after lying (as I often do) on the floor, and tissues for my snotty nose (hayfever). I also needed some business cards when a guest was enquiring of me and a pen & notepad t take her details too. I later needed a big bin liner so my Bride could sit on a damp bench for photos; and I carry a host of other stuff just-in-case too, all stuff that I've needed before but didn't have, now I have it

Oh and I regularly swap between 3-4 lenses on one body (the other never changes, that's by f8 camera lol) so they're all in my bag too; along with 2 speedlights and other photo-stuff
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Jeez, does this come with time/experience? I'm admittedly very early in my career, but I carry the following actually on me during the day:

Nikon D750, D700, 35mm 1.4, 85mm 1.4, 8 SD/CF cards, 4 batteries, iPhone, paper photo list, bottle of water, bit of cash, car keys.

It all fits in a remarkably small Crumpler shoulder bag that's smaller than the stuff some guests lug around. My car only has a spare body and lens, change of shirt, more water and a bit of food.

I actually think that's quite weighty, given I shot with Fuji last year! Brides aren't booking me as a portable drugs cabinet.
 
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technics100 said:
Are the belts a good job? Is there a decent cheaper alternative to the waist spider?
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There's no proper alternatives, the spider pro is very well made. I do have a think tank belt system too but don't use that any more. The spider is quite unique, yes it's expensive, but it's very secure and that's got to be top priority.
 
A mate of mine got a spider Pro Chinese knock off from eBay for around half the price and it seems every bit as well built as my genuine one.
 
Those of you using a Moneymaker.....are you using belt packs with this or a shoulder bag for extra lenses?
 
Another vote for a roller bag. I use a Think Tank Airport International, but there are cheaper similar ones out there. Fits a couple of cameras, 5 lenses, 3 flashes, batteries and all that crap. Plus you can easily strap a tripod or lightstand and brollies to the side, which you can't really do with a shoulder bag. Then if you're anything like me, you can chuck it in the corner and not touch any of your gear for the rest of the day, and just carry the camera and lens you're using. (y)

ukaskew said:
Jeez, does this come with time/experience?
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Comes with your choice on how you want to go about things. Personally, I go with a similar approach to yourself, as...

ukaskew said:
Brides aren't booking me as a portable drugs cabinet.
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AndrewSt said:
Those of you using a Moneymaker.....are you using belt packs with this or a shoulder bag for extra lenses?
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Surely people who use moneymakers have some kind of hand-stitched personalised vintage leather luggage for their extra lomos and 'authentic' props?
 
ukaskew said:
Jeez, does this come with time/experience?
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DG Phototraining said:
For me, yep :D I carry far more stuff than that too (that's not photo related), and I also find I end up carrying stuff around for the B&G as well, including once their Marriage Certificate !!!
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And for us, no :D

By the time we'd done a couple of dozen weddings, I was schlepping round all the stuff Dave has with him, plus makeup mirror, plasters, tit tape and god knows what else. Then one day, I asked myself why - because by then it had become obvious that we were heading in the opposite direction i.e. minimum setup shots and minimum intervention in the day. We weren't any good at the type of snaps Dave excels at, and we didn't attract the kind of bride he attracts (eg ones who want Bride At Home portraits) therefore we didn't need all that stuff. Or the bloody tripod which I acquired when we started shooting weddings simply because I thought wedding snappers needed a tripod :rolleyes: So for us, the evolution worked the other way round - to two bodies, three lenses and one flash each, and no moving stuff, carrying things for or giving lifts to anybody on the day.

It's a shame nobody got a snap of Ann and me walking down Fleet Street one fine Saturday to 'our' church together with a pal of ours who had a wedding at the one near it. We had with us what I've just listed: he had a camera on one shoulder and a Billingham on the other, and his roadie was trundling along an enormous roller case full of stuff. Ann looked at that and asked if that was the studio lights. "No" says he "They're in the car."

On the face of it, similar weddings for similar couples at very similar venues, but in fact two different approaches to suit different snappers working with different punters :)
 
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A few things I've learnt over the years.
Roller bags/cases. Great idea but you have to life them more often than you expect and then they are a PITA and they tend to be bulky and heavy.
The number of photos you take is proportional to the amount of kit you carry. IE the more kit the less photos. Yes have back-up but do I really need that 8.5mm fisheye for the bride...? ;)
I use a lowpro backpack, I find that works best for me. It's small enough to stash if I need to and big enough for all the stuff I actually need on me.
If theres more that one photographer spilt the gear (and weight) back-up stuff can be split, your going to be very unlucky of both your cameras/len/flash die the same time, having more back-ups in the car isn't usually a big deal to nip and get something. If theres two of you, one spare body lens and flash is enough on your person, and split between both it's a doddle.

Yes it's nice to have all the kit with you but carrying a lot around can have long term health issues, I used to carry primes from 17mm to 600mm +3 bodies with drives, filters, flashes, plus all the other bits and bobs, as a result of carrying too much weight for years (not only the photography kit but heavy bergans) I have 5 fused vertebrae and 2 prolapsed discs. Yes when your young and fit it's easy, but do consider what it's doing to your body in the long term.

Gets off soap box and goes to hide....
 
Serendipitous Sid said:
On the face of it, similar weddings for similar couples at very similar venues, but in fact two different approaches to suit different snappers working with different punters
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This is defo the case, and amazes me too when I see others at work - sometimes at the same venue on the same day - grrr

I almost become their WC on the day now too (Wedding Coordinator, not mobile bog!!!), and just lately I've been sorting out DJs and buffets and other stuff that was going 'wrong' from the couple's PoV. For me, its just a natural extension of the service I want to give, but by making things run smoothly I'm really helping myself to the timings I want too

And I don't mean that to sound in any way 'better' than what Dan's suggesting of the more sit back and record style, its not, it just different

Oh and on one Wedding I assisted years ago the main guy had 2 large bags of gear, one on each shoulder and two cameras on his Spyder thing. I had my own and then 2 more of his, and there was another assistant who also had 3 bags - and yes, the studio gear was in the car - now that was crazy :D

...

And re Wayne's comments - I've lost more fat in the last couple of years than my rucksack now weighs lol, so that's where my health benefits come from :D

I'm also now using the best, but lightest, cameras I've ever had and since I ditched the 70-200 f2.8 too my overall bag weight has dropped to around 15lbs. On a day's hiking I'd carry more than that in sarnies and sausages rolls so its fine :D

Dave
 
Interesting hearing the different opinions on this. I've only done a couple of weddings as a second tog (hoping to do more soon) and each time I've taken the best kit I could lay my hands on, 2 bodies, 3 or 4 lenses, but not bothering with flash at that time.
I have a Kata rucksack which can hold all of that, but it's not so good for quick access. I do have a larger shoulder back which is good for quick access, but I find it a) gets in the way as it swings around and b) gets a bit heavy on one shoulder.
As a second shooter it's slightly different because the main shooter is going for the big money shots, so they should be prepared for it, if you're working in a team however, you can split the gear between you.
I did one wedding as a second shooter where we had 4 bodies between us (one was my old Sony DSLR) and we just shared the Canon 50L, 24-70L and 70-200L, so very little of that kid went back into a bag. I was just following my main shooter's lead though.
 
DG Phototraining said:
... since I ditched the 70-200 f2.8 ...
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I often wonder how many wedding snappers get one of those as soon as they can 'cos (a) it's a very cool piece of kit and (b) they're under the impression that without one, they won't be able to do candids of the guests or nail some of the ceremony shots.

And how many wedding snappers find that the more experience they get, the less they use a 70-200 ...
 
Serendipitous Sid said:
I often wonder how many wedding snappers get one of those as soon as they can 'cos (a) it's a very cool piece of kit and (b) they're under the impression that without one, they won't be able to do candids of the guests or nail some of the ceremony shots.

And how many wedding snappers find that the more experience they get, the less they use a 70-200 ...
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All true, and yet my best Wedding tog buddy would happily shoot the entire Wedding on his 70-200 if he could, he really does only use something else if its too 'long' for him

SOOOOOOO many ways to skin this one moggy :)

Dave
 
Serendipitous Sid said:
I often wonder how many wedding snappers get one of those as soon as they can 'cos (a) it's a very cool piece of kit and (b) they're under the impression that without one, they won't be able to do candids of the guests or nail some of the ceremony shots.

And how many wedding snappers find that the more experience they get, the less they use a 70-200 ...
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Yea good thing about weddings is you can shoot them however the heck you like.

Always annoys me having to get the 70-200 out at commercial events and things.
 
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AndrewSt said:
Those of you using a Moneymaker.....are you using belt packs with this or a shoulder bag for extra lenses?
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Jayst84 said:
Surely people who use moneymakers have some kind of hand-stitched personalised vintage leather luggage for their extra lomos and 'authentic' props?
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*raises hand*

I have no hand-stitched anything, nor any props. I have two bodies, 35/85 and a 24mm that lives in small bag with an SB-900. That's yer lot.

Roller cases, flash stands, brollies, step ladders, the kitchen sink. Not for me that.
 
I have the 35mm & 85mm combo, but also borrow my dads 70-200mm and end up using it quite a bit, but I think if I didn't have it I would be fine.. but it's the fact it's there!!
 
Wedding on Saturday I had D750 with Black rapid and 35/85 f1.8g lenses. 1 lens on camera, 1 in back pocket

Small ThinkTank bag with spare body, hayfever spray, inhaler, tissues, lens cloth, spare cards and 3 x spare batteries. Although I went all day on 1 battery but swapped it over mid way along with change of cards.
 
Serendipitous Sid said:
And how many wedding snappers find that the more experience they get, the less they use a 70-200 ...
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I'm finding use mine more. I love the compression at 200mm and I can't afford the 200mm prime lol

What I do find, is not caring about shooting wide as possible though. I have lost count of the amount of newbies who insist on shooting everything at 1.8. I remember having a lively debate with some American mom-tog who insisted she shot everything at 1.8 and all her group photos were fine.
 
gadgeteer said:
I remember having a lively debate with some American mom-tog who insisted she shot everything at 1.8 and all her group photos were fine.
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Each to their own hey. I like shooting groups around f/2 when I can.

Depending how literal the 'everything' was. I doubt I'd shoot a group of 40 people at f/2 (hopefully I wouldn't be shooting a group of 40 people at all).
 
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