Sorry guys...another "what kit do I take thread"

[Asha]

I soon go to a family wedding and am finding myself struggling to decide what film kit to carry on the big day.

With no intention of lugging a bag , I am going to be very limited to what I can carry.

Film, spare batteries, possible ND filter will easily slip in pockets/ the mrs handbag and a flash unit would simply rest upon the slr body.

My dilema arises with body/lens set up.



Options 1:

Nikon FE

Prime lens choices: 28mm, 50mm, 85mm


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Option 2:

Canon A-1

Prime lens choices: 28mm, 50mm, 2 x teleconverter.

****************************************

The Nikon 85mm is a nice portrait lens but perhaps will be too long at times and is too large/heavy to carry comfortably in a pocket if I change lenses.

Maybe the width of 28mm won't even be needed?

Do I go with more than one lens, a teleconverter ( if taking the Canon) or simply shoot 50mm and "zoom" with my feet?

Having never shot at a wedding before, I'd appreciate your thoughts......

 

[freecom2]

What sort of shots would you be looking to get? Some nice, isolated portraits, or some general shots that encompass the atmosphere and surroundings, and the general order of the day?

 

[Asha]

What sort of shots would you be looking to get? Some nice, isolated portraits, or some general shots that encompass the atmosphere and surroundings, and the general order of the day?

Ha...now this is where I kick myself on a regular basis by choosing a certain focal length then wishing I had something wider/longer with me.

I fully understand why you're asking the question....

Isolated portraits I personally feel are pretty much a must which is why I'm drawn to the 85mm.

However there are also shots ( one in particular that the mrs has requested i do) will involve the portrait of a group of 4 people. head and shoulder will probably suffice but the 85mm would probably be too too long wouldn't it?. ( if it ends up being a flash shot then I doubt i'd be able to to stand far enough away and still obtain suitable exposure)


"Pocket" sized teleconverter for the Canon would offer 100mm if I take the 50mm but then I'll lose 2 stops of light iirc

I do sometimes wonder if having less gear would make life easier but then of course I'd want the stuff I didn't have....

 

[steveo_mcg]

What about a nice view camera, lovely isolated portraits no...

 

[freecom2]

This is completely a personal preference, but I'd take the FE and the 85mm (and ideally fast film and no flash, but if you are comfortable with your flash then so be it). Then for the 4 people shot, a 50 should suffice - the Nikon 50s are pretty compact so it shouldn't take up too much additional space.

 

[Asha]

What about a nice view camera, lovely isolated portraits no...

YOU again!!!......might o' known you'd av your two penneth worth


I'll dig this out and shoot all 90 guests individually handheld..

 

[steveo_mcg]

Aye, that aught to do the job, wouldn't need a bag, a sherpa maybe.

 

[Asha]

This is completely a personal preference, but I'd take the FE and the 85mm (and ideally fast film and no flash, but if you are comfortable with your flash then so be it). Then for the 4 people shot, a 50 should suffice - the Nikon 50s are pretty compact so it shouldn't take up too much additional space.

Tbh I'm not keen on flash at all ...again to stay minimilist i was going to take the SB-30 unit as against the "huge" SB800

Fast film ...I'm not really up on them ...Ilford do a 3200 I believe??

 

[RaglanSurf]

You would of course need to dress the part, grow a comedy moustache and use one of those pyrotechnic gunpowder type flashes.

 

[robhooley167]

Tbh Asha, I would ditch the 50mm and go for a 28 and 85mm setup, 50mm is neither here nor there as a focal length personally.

 

[FruitFlakes]

Go for the FE and run a 28/50 setup, it's a classic pairing for a reason! I tend to shoot very close so the 50 feels like a telephoto for me, always end up doing headshots with a 50 for that reason.

 

[Asha]

You would of course need to dress the part, grow a comedy moustache and use one of those pyrotechnic gunpowder type flashes.

Is it not past your bed time Mr Smurf?

Maybe its a full moon in the UK tonight bringing out all sorts of strange beings...... :nuts:

 

[Asha]

Tbh Asha, I would ditch the 50mm and go for a 28 and 85mm setup, 50mm is neither here nor there as a focal length personally.

Definetly being pulled toward taking the 85mm......providing it turns out to be the primary lens on the body then carrying the 28 or 50 in a pocket for those occassional wider shots shouldn't pose a problem.

Go for the FE and run a 28/50 setup, it's a classic pairing for a reason! I tend to shoot very close so the 50 feels like a telephoto for me, always end up doing headshots with a 50 for that reason.

Atm I'm using the mrs as a suitable subject and tbh i think even though it's my stepsons wedding, he won't be overly keen if i regularly try to get within 3ft of his head with a piece of glass

On the other hand, both the 28 and 50 are light, compact and pocketable.

 

[pingu666]

a action sampler might be fun. Weighs nothing too

 

[Asha]

a action sampler might be fun. Weighs nothing too

now actually i have one of those and yes could be fun....four portraits at the same time

 

[excalibur2]

Well it depends on how well you know the guests and are there any nice bits of scenery you can wander off for a few shots. For me I've been to four in the last three years and have been lucky with good weather....two were in Spain, one all the way up near the beautiful Yorkshire dales and one near London.
You really need two cameras for quick shots, h'mm but IMO you are limited in your lenses for standing back and taking those non posed shots with say a 80-200mm zoom, so it would have to be the 85mm for one camera and the other camera with the 28mm.
If your 50mm is F1.4 that would be handy inside the church for low light.
Also If you have a compact digital that could eliminate one camera.
Just know the bride and groom? well one camera with 28mm, 50mm and 85mm should do....the 85mm could be handy inside the church (if plenty of light) for the bride and groom being married by the priest (or whoever).

 

[pingu666]

does yours make a cheap plastic wurr noise when taking pics?
actualy the best shots I've seen from them are portraits

you could take a folder, or a aps c film camera . There pocketable

 

[skysh4rk]

I soon go to a family wedding and am finding myself struggling to decide what film kit to carry on the big day.

Options 1:

Nikon FE

Prime lens choices: 28mm, 50mm, 85mm

Decisions, decisions...

I often find myself in a similar situation as I have 24mm, 50mm, and 85mm prime lenses for my 35mm cameras (Nikon FM and Nikon F-801).

My 24mm and 50mm are a fantastically compact pair, which share the same filter thread size, so they are great to carry when travelling and on the move.

That said, I definitely prefer the 50mm and 85mm focal lengths for most of the shots that I like to take.

I suppose it's all very subjective, however, so it'd be difficult to say for certain what camera and lens(es) are best for you.

I guess I'd usually prefer to concentrate on the focal length(s) that will get me the majority of the shots that I want and then forget about the rest, especially at a wedding. If I can get 75% of my shots with one lens, then I'll just take that one and not carry all of the other gear required to cover the remaining 25% (unless that 25% was really worth the effort).

 

[tikkathreebarrel]

Go for the FE and run a 28/50 setup, it's a classic pairing for a reason! I tend to shoot very close so the 50 feels like a telephoto for me, always end up doing headshots with a 50 for that reason.

I think I'm with him on the kit carry.

I have a not dissimilar quandary involving a week's holiday in France and a small car but should I start another thread for that? Hmm. Maybe.

 

[excalibur2]

I think I'm with him on the kit carry.

I have a not dissimilar quandary involving a week's holiday in France and a small car but should I start another thread for that? Hmm. Maybe.

Well I took my camera to my Mother and Father's funeral, mind you just for a few record shots and not moving around taking shots of the family.

 

[trevorbray]

Asha. Take only the one lens you need to get the requested shot. It takes the pressure off and will allow you to enjoy the day.

 

[TheBigYin]

with that choice, I'd be inclined to take the 85mm on the camera and the 28mm in your pocket just in case.

On a Canon A1 out of my kit, I know what i'd have on the camera though - the FD 35-105 f3.5 (and a modern neckstrap to cope with the weight )

 

[medwaygreen]

I like Mark would opt for the 85mm and the 28mm in the pocket for the group shots and use your feet for the zoom flexibility.

Have a great wedding.

FE of course.

 

[Threeracers]

I think I'm with him on the kit carry.

I have a not dissimilar quandary involving a week's holiday in France and a small car but should I start another thread for that? Hmm. Maybe.

Small car - luxury! My annual pilgrimage to Le Mans in June has to be by bike (they moved the race back a week and I need to make a quick getaway to be back in the UK on the Sunday night) so I am restricted to one rucksack this year.

I am sure I should be packing the XA3 but I am actually working out how much Hasselblad loveliness I can shoehorn into one rucksack

Mark

 

[Threeracers]

Asha, I would go with Richard and Mark, another vote for 85mm and 28 for groups.

Mark

 

[Nod]

Guessing you're going to be an "Uncle Asha" at the wedding? If so, I would go as light as possible and enjoy the day. One lens? 50mm. 2 lenses, 50 and 28. However, if you're taking a car, take all 3! (Nikons of course, is there any other good brand?!!!)

Mark, in a similar vein to tripod choice, practicality, convenience, space - pick 2!

 

[Andysnap]

85 and 28 mate, covers all the bases really and the 28 slips into a pocket nice and easy.
Andy

 

[Asha]

Asha. Take only the one lens you need to get the requested shot. It takes the pressure off and will allow you to enjoy the day.

with that choice, I'd be inclined to take the 85mm on the camera and the 28mm in your pocket just in case.

On a Canon A1 out of my kit, I know what i'd have on the camera though - the FD 35-105 f3.5 (and a modern neckstrap to cope with the weight )

I like Mark would opt for the 85mm and the 28mm in the pocket for the group shots and use your feet for the zoom flexibility.

Have a great wedding.

FE of course.

Asha, I would go with Richard and Mark, another vote for 85mm and 28 for groups.

Mark

Guessing you're going to be an "Uncle Asha" at the wedding? If so, I would go as light as possible and enjoy the day. One lens? 50mm. 2 lenses, 50 and 28. However, if you're taking a car, take all 3! (Nikons of course, is there any other good brand?!!!)

Mark, in a similar vein to tripod choice, practicality, convenience, space - pick 2!

85 and 28 mate, covers all the bases really and the 28 slips into a pocket nice and easy.
Andy

I think I'm with him on the kit carry.

I have a not dissimilar quandary involving a week's holiday in France and a small car but should I start another thread for that? Hmm. Maybe.

Decisions, decisions...

I often find myself in a similar situation as I have 24mm, 50mm, and 85mm prime lenses for my 35mm cameras (Nikon FM and Nikon F-801).

My 24mm and 50mm are a fantastically compact pair, which share the same filter thread size, so they are great to carry when travelling and on the move.

That said, I definitely prefer the 50mm and 85mm focal lengths for most of the shots that I like to take.

I suppose it's all very subjective, however, so it'd be difficult to say for certain what camera and lens(es) are best for you.

I guess I'd usually prefer to concentrate on the focal length(s) that will get me the majority of the shots that I want and then forget about the rest, especially at a wedding. If I can get 75% of my shots with one lens, then I'll just take that one and not carry all of the other gear required to cover the remaining 25% (unless that 25% was really worth the effort).

does yours make a cheap plastic wurr noise when taking pics?
actualy the best shots I've seen from them are portraits

you could take a folder, or a aps c film camera . There pocketable

Well it depends on how well you know the guests and are there any nice bits of scenery you can wander off for a few shots. For me I've been to four in the last three years and have been lucky with good weather....two were in Spain, one all the way up near the beautiful Yorkshire dales and one near London.
You really need two cameras for quick shots, h'mm but IMO you are limited in your lenses for standing back and taking those non posed shots with say a 80-200mm zoom, so it would have to be the 85mm for one camera and the other camera with the 28mm.
If your 50mm is F1.4 that would be handy inside the church for low light.
Also If you have a compact digital that could eliminate one camera.
Just know the bride and groom? well one camera with 28mm, 50mm and 85mm should do....the 85mm could be handy inside the church (if plenty of light) for the bride and groom being married by the priest (or whoever).

Nod I'll be "Stepdad Asha (to the groom) and Uncle Asha (to several little devils)" on the day.

I agree lightness / ease is the order of the day ....precisely why i don't want to be lugging a bag!

Going on all the responses I'm set on taking the 85mm as the primary lens.

I would like to accompany that with the 28mm for all the reasons that have been mentioned.....I'll try carrying it around for several hours in a suit pocket during the coming weeks to see how irritating i find it.

I'll look further into fast films as FC2 suggested as against shooting flash.

Already feeling more comfortable with it....thanks for all your advice guys....very much appreciated

And yes Paul, my Cyber Sampler makes a Wurr noise!

 

[excalibur2]

Don't forget the scenic shots if the wedding is in a beautiful area...when I went to Spain the church was in the village ahead and was walking back to the reception and decided to take a few shots and here is one of them:-

 

[Asha]

The venue is apparently very picturesque Brian so I'll probably end up with the 28mm in my pocket!

Nice scene btw....