X1 wedding photography

[stunsworth]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I do shoot weddings, and the concept that the original poster is proposing, X1 for weddings, while not impossible to do, would be very challenging and difficult to sell paying customers.

 

I think this would probably been the hardest part, trying to convince the b&g that it would be ok to use a camera that to them would look like the p&s cameras their guests were bringing.

 

On the other hand I don't think that it would be impossible to shoot with a single focal length, Brett has shown that to be possible, but it depends on your style of shooting - and if you don't work for yourself, the house style of the studio. So difficult but not impossible.

[earleygallery]

On the other hand I don't think that it would be impossible to shoot with a single focal length.

 

For many years 'the' wedding camera was a Rolleiflex. I used my Bronica with standard lens to shoot many weddings.

 

As you say, a single focal length lens isn't the issue, but a P&S style camera, and a wide angle lens don't make the best combination for a wedding photographer.

 

There is indeed also the perception. The customer might wonder why the 'pro' is using a little digicam when uncle bert is there with his new DSLR and big lens!

[giordano]

Even forty years ago it wasn't unusual for a pro to shoot weddings with a Rolleiflex and a flashgun. With a 75mm f/3.5 or maybe f/2.8 lens on 6x6 rollfilm the Rollei is slow to focus and slow between shots. I haven't used an X1 but it seems unlikely to be much slower, and the angle of view isn't much different. So in principle there seems no reason why an X1 couldn't be used for wedding work. Certainly out in the non-rich, non-Leica wedding market there are pros using DSLRs that don't equal its IQ.

 

On the other hand expectations have changed greatly. Back then, wedding photography was mostly formal or at least posed shots (ceremony, family groups, cutting the cake); I don't think pros were expected to deliver a mass of candid shots too - and that's where a fixed focal length and slow focusing cause problems.

[wattsy]

On the other hand expectations have changed greatly. Back then, wedding photography was mostly formal or at least posed shots (ceremony, family groups, cutting the cake); I don't think pros were expected to deliver a mass of candid shots too - and that's where a fixed focal length and slow focusing cause problems.

 

This is all true but it never ceases to surprise me, when looking at old wedding photos of even the most modest wedding, at how good the photography was. Lovely real fibre B&W prints with real blacks and real whites that put the digital B&W inkjet stuff (that you see so often nowadays) to shame, often simple (yet surprisingly strong) compositions - non-faddish photography that really stands the test of time. I also think it helps that people were better dressed in the 'old days' (pre-1970s).

[Guest stnami]

Guys remember bsgraupner is doing a PHD on digging up bodies, the X1 auto focuses just fine .........................

[phancj]

Even forty years ago it wasn't unusual for a pro to shoot weddings with a Rolleiflex and a flashgun. With a 75mm f/3.5 or maybe f/2.8 lens on 6x6 rollfilm the Rollei is slow to focus and slow between shots. I haven't used an X1 but it seems unlikely to be much slower, and the angle of view isn't much different. So in principle there seems no reason why an X1 couldn't be used for wedding work. Certainly out in the non-rich, non-Leica wedding market there are pros using DSLRs that don't equal its IQ.

 

On the other hand expectations have changed greatly. Back then, wedding photography was mostly formal or at least posed shots (ceremony, family groups, cutting the cake); I don't think pros were expected to deliver a mass of candid shots too - and that's where a fixed focal length and slow focusing cause problems.

 

I think the X1 should do okay in a wedding, though I am not sure anyone is going to take the photographer seriously if he whips out a camera of this size haha.....

 

Most equate pros with having giant DSLRs better still medium formats, so the X1 may be viewed as a toy, irregardless of its IQ.

[jorismichielsen]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

But keep in mind that X1 has its limitation considering the AF as well as the MF options, certainly as compared to the larger focus screen on the Rolleiflex

[grober]

I've shot a lot of weddings with one Leica M or another (my favorite being the M7 with Fuji film.) The X1 has the capability to produce some usable results but let's get serious, it's way too slow.

 

If I attend a wedding where I wanted to lug along a camera again, I might shoot some with my X1 and later present them to the couple as a gift if the results were pleasing.

 

The thing is too bloody slow in everything it does for profitable use at a wedding!

 

-g

[fotografr]

I'm sure there are those on this forum who will strongly disagree with you. Nevertheless, your conclusions are my concerns and I am hoping someone will demonstrate to the contrary.

 

I'd be very surprised if there's anyone here who disagrees with Dan's statement. The autofocus and write speed are both so slow a person would miss shots left and right at a wedding.

 

Guys remember bsgraupner is doing a PHD on digging up bodies, the X1 auto focuses just fine .........................

 

True, if you don't mind the w............a...............i..............t.

[mwilliamsphotography]

Why wouldn't this camera be used at a wedding?

 

Not for everything obviously, but most certainly for a lot of the casual candid shots so popular these days. Lugging around these big a$$ed DSLRs gets mighty tiresome a few hours in 90º heat. The X1 could be a nice relief from all that.

 

I don't use my M9 for everything either ... some shots are just commodities to get done because they're expected, and using a DSLR is an efficient way to get them out of the way. Like being relegated to the back of the church to shoot in bad light with no flash allowed ... which is the only time I ever use the monster stabilized 70-200/2.8 that cost an arm & a leg and sits in the SUV the rest of the day.

 

Do any of you seriously believe that clients give a darned about what camera you whip up to take a shot? Half the clients guest's are sure their mighty Canon do-it-all with 12- 2000 zoom is superior to my relatively small Leica M9 with a 35/1.4. ... yet their Face-Book uploads usually look like poop ... because they aren't good at photography and use of light ... not because their gear is big, or whether it has 10,000 buttons or not.

 

Clients buy based on your previous work ... how you got there is not their concern. Frankly, they usually couldn't care less.

 

Thousands of wedding shooters use cameras that are outclassed by guest's cameras ... wedding cameras with the same sized sensors as the X1, using plastic element lenses ... so IQ isn't an issue.

 

Let's explore the possible use based on experience (I am a wedding shooter, and use all sorts of gear to achieve creative objectives).

 

Not everyone shoots machine gun style for candids ... some select decisive moments, which has more to do with anticipation and observational skills than it does camera performance specifications.

 

I'd set the X1 up as manual focus, use the zoom focus assist to nail critical focus, and then wait for the moment to happen. 35mm is my most used field-of-view at a wedding ... so that's okay.

 

I'd also experiment with off-camera flash ... place the little Elinchrom Skyport in the shoe and use it the same way I do the DSLR's or M9 with my assistant roaming with a beauty dish on a light stick during the reception events.

 

Lots of possibilities.

 

I don't use an X1 ... I have two M9s for that sort of function ... mostly with a 28/2 or 35/1.4 glued to the camera for most of the day. But I see no reason a X1 wouldn't work also.

 

Send me one and I'll prove it ... LOL!

 

Here's "anticipation" in action ... 35mm used. I just knew that little doggy was going to do something cute. LOL!

 

-Marc

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[earleygallery]

Do any of you seriously believe that clients give a darned about what camera you whip up to take a shot?

 

Actually yes I do. I was asked to quote someone recently for doing their wedding and one of the questions they came back with was "what type of camera would you be using".

[fotografr]

Why wouldn't this camera be used at a wedding?

 

 

Go to a camera store that sells them, pick one up, take a shot, then try to immediately recompose and take another shot. You'll answer your own question instantly.

 

Yes, the camera would be fine for a static set-up shot here and there. But for any kind of situation where a quick response is needed--forget it.

 

My impression from the start of this thread was that the OP was wondering if the X1 would work as the primary camera for a wedding shoot. I think anyone who has used one would answer that with an emphatic no. The fact that someone might be able to get an occasional good shot at a wedding with the X1 has no bearing on that. The right person could do the same with a Holga.

[mwilliamsphotography]

Actually yes I do. I was asked to quote someone recently for doing their wedding and one of the questions they came back with was "what type of camera would you be using".

 

Really? Type of camera as in "digital or film" ... or what? So, what if you answered that you use a Canon Rebel, Leica X1 and Phase One P65+? Think they'd know the difference?

 

I've also gotten that question once in a blue-moon ... usually "What meg is your camera"? My answer is "do you like my work?". I don't buy gear because someone may ask me what camera I will be using.

 

Often they ask that question because the Knot told them they should. The Knot also tells them they should pay peanuts for the wedding photography ... so consider the source. The better question is "do you have comparable back-up gear and liability insurance?" Which hardly anyone asks, and most certainly should.

 

Usually, those occasional inquiring clients that DO know something are amateur duffers that know just enough to be dangerous. They tend to be big PITAs and try to show off their photo knowledge. I compliment their choice, help them with their gear, and we become BFFs.

 

I had a few people hire me because I use a Leica M ... seriously, I kid you not ... as if ... in fact, at one of those I never used the Leica at all ... :-)

 

Gear is gear ... select the right horse for the right course ... and it's nice to have alternatives to lugging a bag of cinder-blocks around to impress the clients.

 

Speaking of cinder-blocks ... I shot almost a whole Hindu 2 day wedding, including candids, with a Hasselblad 203FE and CFV back ... work published on the Hasselblad website ... a guy came up and told me he had the same set-up. Another asked me what meg that is (16), "Well my Canon is 21 meg.", was his smug reply. Can't out-gun the guests anymore ... LOL!

 

-Marc

[mwilliamsphotography]

Go to a camera store that sells them, pick one up, take a shot, then try to immediately recompose and take another shot. You'll answer your own question instantly.

 

Yes, the camera would be fine for a static set-up shot here and there. But for any kind of situation where a quick response is needed--forget it.

 

My impression from the start of this thread was that the OP was wondering if the X1 would work as the primary camera for a wedding shoot. I think anyone who has used one would answer that with an emphatic no. The fact that someone might be able to get an occasional good shot at a wedding with the X1 has no bearing on that. The right person could get probably do the same with a Holga.

 

Totally agree that the X1 would never be the one and only primary wedding camera ... at least not for me. Wouldn't even cross my mind. Frankly, I don't see the M9 that way either, but others do.

 

As far as quick response it can't be slower than a MFD manual focus camera ... which I've used often for decisive moment work. It just depends on the photographer's style of shooting.

 

If you set it to manual focus and manually set a good f' stop for DOF with a 24/ ie, 35mm lens ... what slows you down then? Just curious. I shoot my M that way all the time ... for street or weddings ... and not just static shots either.

 

Anyway ... different strokes for different folks.

 

-Marc

[earleygallery]

Hi Marc,

 

They asked the question - they wanted to know that I wouldn't be using an 'amateur' camera I guess, I don't know exactly why they wanted to know (they've seen examples of work which they were very happy with).

 

I totally agree with you but if a client asks then you have to answer - it's about perceptions really isn't it, and even if they don't ask, if something doesn't meet with a clients perceptions or expectations they might be disappointed.

 

I know there's a well known fashion photographer who uses cheap consumer digicams for his work, and people hire him because of his style of course.

[fotografr]

If you set it to manual focus and manually set a good f' stop for DOF with a 24/ ie, 35mm lens ... what slows you down then? Just curious. I shoot my M that way all the time ... for street or weddings ... and not just static shots either.

-Marc

 

What slows you down is write time. It's painfully slow. Take a shot, wait six seconds, focus again, take another shot, wait six more seconds. I can shoot 10 focused frames with my M6 in the time it takes to shoot two with the X1.

[mwilliamsphotography]

What slows you down is write time. It's painfully slow. Take a shot, wait six seconds, focus again, take another shot, wait six more seconds. I can shoot 10 focused frames with my M6 in the time it takes to shoot two with the X1.

 

Thanks ... now that I didn't know since I never used the camera or read the spec's beyond the basics.

 

6 seconds ... is that really true? That is an eternity. Never heard of a digital camera that slow to write an initial file to a card. Come on now, 6 seconds? Really?

 

-Marc

[fotografr]

Thanks ... now that I didn't know since I never used the camera or read the spec's beyond the basics.

 

6 seconds ... is that really true? That is an eternity. Never heard of a digital camera that slow to write an initial file to a card. Come on now, 6 seconds? Really?

 

-Marc

 

I wish it wasn't true, but it is--at least when shooting DNGs.

[glenerrolrd]

I ve shot maybe 40 weddings starting when I was in college and found I could make some money doing it. Used everything from Hasselblads ,Leica M,Nikon SLR and now Nikon DSLR. I shoot M9 s everyday .

 

With the right skills you can make a lot of different solutions work but IMHO the goal should be to do it well consistently. If you take formal weddings you can just do better with MF or a high Mp DSLR and the right lights. But most weddings are taking a form of PJ recording the event with some formals . So why not a smaller form? Because the X1 is just too slow ..AF and write times .

 

The M s are great if you can stick to available light and maybe only use flash in a limited way (fill flash or just for the formals). Using M s to shoot a wedding can be great fun until it gets really dark.

 

The easiest tool with limited downside is a DSLR . I set my wife up with a D90 and an SB600 flash all automatic and let her do the tables at the reception . You can bang out decent exposures quite easily. Plenty of other examples in a kit under $2000 that would be better.

 

The x1 can be fun if you are a guest but it shouldn t be the primary camera.

 

With that said its a nice backup ...my daughter was shooting an important event with her Canon 5D and flash etc ...when it died ..she had a LX3 in her bag and finished the job without missing a beat. The backup part is pretty darn important with digital and an X1 could be useful because of its size and small built in flash.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Ozkar]

I wish it wasn't true, but it is--at least when shooting DNGs.

 

I just set my X1 to high speed focus and captured 6 shots (DNG) in quick succession. It was only slowed down by the time taken to AF in between shots.

 

If your X1 takes 6 seconds to write and doesn't allow you to take shots while writing then you either have a problem with your X1 or your SD card is too slow. I use a Sandisk Extreme III and the buffer clears in about a second. In the meantime, I can still shoot since the camera will buffer each shot.