Wedding photography

[mgreernz]

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As the years went on and the time available for any serious photography became a rarity, I found myself doing less and less wedding photography. But now in retirement and well and truly back in the saddle, I've been asked to shoot a wedding for one of the family in a few of weeks time.

 

I'm confident I haven't lost my touch (dang, I hope not!) - but I'm no longer shooting with the Nikon or Canon weightlifting kit that I lugged around in earlier years. Over the past year or so, I've enthusiastically gravitated back to RFs and of course, Leica.

 

I'll be shooting with an M9 and an M7 loaded with B&W - there'll be an MP in the bag as a backup.

 

To choose from are 2/28, 2/35, 2/75, 2/90 Crons and a 1.4/35 Lux. I had really hoped that I'd have had a 1.4/50 Lux. But 7 months on and like the rest of world, I'm still forlornly waiting for one to arrive.

 

My inclination is the 35 Lux and the 75 Cron. With maybe the 35 Cron on the M7.

 

Any wise words of wisdom out there?

[wda]

Michael, you seem to be well equipped for wedding photography. Judging by some practitioners' policies, keeping it simple is a guiding rule. I strongly recommend that you search for Brett's sole use of a 50mm Noctilux for weddings and glance at his gallery. (Search 'Brett' and 'Noctilux'). For some time Brett has limited his lens choice and he eschews the use of flash in his work.

 

My inclination would be to use two cameras with the most useful complementary lenses. You have identified those as 35 and 75. On full-frame it is arguable whether the 90mm should replace your instinct to use the 75mm. It is a personal choice; either would yield useful selective portraits. Remember that good black and white pictures can be produced from your M9 digital files.

 

In some ways it is a pity that you are not able to use a second digital M-body (even an M8). Can you hire or borrow one? Mixing digital and film during a high pressure assignment simply adds a new level of complexity and invites error. Merely switching mind-sets between colour and black & white interpretations introduces a strain on mental agility. You may wish to revisit this part of your plan.

 

Do let us know what you decide to do and how well your plan works in practice. Good Luck!

[budrichard]

I did weddings commercially at one time for additional money.

In the last few years I did two weddings for children of friends using two M7's with Motor M's, an SF24D, 35mm f1.4 ASPH and 90 and 75mm ASPH lenses. I used K64 for flash, K200 for available light in the church. Both exceeded my expectations and were much more satisfying then using the Nikon SLR's. I used Blurb for the albums.

First, visiting the church, reception area and dressing rooms for both the bride and groom before the event and noting exposures and sight lines as well as how to get from one part of the church to another is essential. I usually set my equipment up in the choir loft and leave my bag there with spares of everything.First are externals of the church, next dressing rooms (knock), I then shoot at times from the loft and then from the various sight lines the church provides. The 75 for portraits and the 90 for long reach during the service. I have a Metz handle mount that would reach for the 90mm but believe that flash during the ceremony is distracting

I always consult the service giver about what his/her expectations for a photographer are and explain what i am doing. I don't use flash during the actual service.

Good luck!-Dick

[earleygallery]

Timely thread! I've just been asked to do a wedding for an ex colleague, I'm meeting them tomorrow to discuss what they want etc.

 

I haven't shot a wedding now for a few years, always used my Bronica for them, but I think I will shoot digital this time, as they have already said that they'd like a CD of images which they can print/e mail etc as they wish.

 

I think the 35/75 combo is ideally but I'd be inclined to take the 28 as well in case you have problems getting a large group shot with the 35.

 

I'm also thinking of using some B&W film as well, just a roll or two of candid shots to add into the mix. I don't think I'd have a problem switching between mediums on the day.

[Jaybob]

I'll be shooting with an M9 and an M7 loaded with B&W - there'll be an MP in the bag as a backup.

 

To choose from are 2/28, 2/35, 2/75, 2/90 Crons and a 1.4/35 Lux. I had really hoped that I'd have had a 1.4/50 Lux. But 7 months on and like the rest of world, I'm still forlornly waiting for one to arrive.

 

My inclination is the 35 Lux and the 75 Cron. With maybe the 35 Cron on the M7.

 

Any wise words of wisdom out there?

 

I'd bring the 28. As a person who had spent much time in the choir loft using Nikon gear, 35 can be constricting. I took the wider photo with a Digilux 2 at 28 and the narrower photo at 25mm on a D2x which translates to 37mm. Granted, the Digilux has a different shape sensor, but I'd rather be wider with the 28.

 

 

 

Actually, you should bring it all that stuff. It weighs next to nothing, and it can keep the MP company in the bag. I prefer to shoot all the f2 lenses, but the 1.4 could be very helpful if you're anti-flash.

 

Jay

[ndjambrose]

...To choose from are 2/28, 2/35, 2/75, 2/90 Crons and a 1.4/35 Lux. ... My inclination is the 35 Lux and the 75 Cron. With maybe the 35 Cron on the M7.....

 

If you're taking three bodies then take three lenses. That way you've got a hot backup you can pick up and use immediately, and you'll have choice of more than two focal lengths.

 

75 and 35 (or 28) is my standard kit for weddings, plus a Noctilux. I don't think there's any point in taking two lenses of the same focal length, so in your shoes I'd drop the 35/2 in favour of the 28/2. Much more flexible.

[bybrett]

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Michael, I'm far too late to offer you words of wisdom. I agree with everything David Askham has suggested. Last year I shot entirely M8 50mm Elmar-M... this year M9 Noctilux. For a 2 lens set up it would definitely be 35-75. A film body is a good backup for M9 but I would rely on the flexibility of digital to capture the day. Your b/w decisions can be made in the comfort of your own home... Cheers.

[zoomstop]

Michael, you seem to be well equipped for wedding photography. Judging by some practitioners' policies, keeping it simple is a guiding rule. I strongly recommend that you search for Brett's sole use of a 50mm Noctilux for weddings and glance at his gallery. (Search 'Brett' and 'Noctilux'). For some time Brett has limited his lens choice and he eschews the use of flash in his work.

 

My inclination would be to use two cameras with the most useful complementary lenses. You have identified those as 35 and 75. On full-frame it is arguable whether the 90mm should replace your instinct to use the 75mm. It is a personal choice; either would yield useful selective portraits. Remember that good black and white pictures can be produced from your M9 digital files.

 

In some ways it is a pity that you are not able to use a second digital M-body (even an M8). Can you hire or borrow one? Mixing digital and film during a high pressure assignment simply adds a new level of complexity and invites error. Merely switching mind-sets between colour and black & white interpretations introduces a strain on mental agility. You may wish to revisit this part of your plan.

 

Do let us know what you decide to do and how well your plan works in practice. Good Luck!

 

 

I agree, I shot a wedding last Dec. I just happen to have my nocti and my M9 and a 35 lux on the m8. You can see some of the photos below or the full set on flickr.

 

007-59 by ZoomPhotog, on Flickr

Somaya & Masie - a set on Flickr