Wedding film/equipment

[S. Wong]

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First of all, I am attending as a friend, not as the pro.

 

I have an R4 w/ 28 elmarit, 50 lux, 135 elmarit, 80-200 elmar Leica lenses.

I am planning to shoot b&w, and I find that Agfa is the lowest cost b&w film (pro) from B&H right now, but I have never shot it before.

I have no means of developing this film myself, so I will be using a lab

 

I was thinking to shoot ASA 100, 400 as it will be both indoors & outdoors, around sunset

 

Please advise as to film type/speed/equipment.

I will not bring more than 2 lenses.

-Steven Wong

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[dkCambridgeshire]

Weddings deserve your best effort ... if was me I would borrow or hire a 28-90 zoom and just take the one lens ... plus a decent flashgun ..

 

Dunk

[earleygallery]

See here for some advice

 

http://www.leica-camera-user.com/digital-forum/21323-wedding-advice-needed.html?highlight=wedding

 

I'd stick to using a film which you're familiar with, & out of the lenses you mention I'd go with the 50 & 135

[S. Wong]

I've never shot B&W before, so no matter which I choose, it will be an experiment,unless I can be directed to a page of comparisons

-Steven

[simonpg]

For your B&W film needs, I would suggest you take: Acros 100; Acros/Neopan 400 and Neopan 1600.

 

The 1600 asa is worth having on hand in case the church light is very low - this film has a nice and surprisingly fine grain. The Neopan 400 has a very fine grain and like the Acros 100 it always seems to deliver nicely graduated tones.

 

These 3 Fuji films are very reliable and very high quality.

[NickR]

Since you can't develop it yourself, I suggest you use one of the B & W C-41 process films like Ilford XP2 or Kodak BW400CN rated at 200 iso. They both have a wide exposure latitude which would help in the many different lighting situations over the course of a wedding. With only one camera body, it's the closest thing to a multi-speed film.

If you were the pro, I'd say bring the 28mm so you can stand in front of all the happy-snappers but since you are one of the happy-snappers bring what you like.

[topoxforddoc]

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Nick's advice about the C41 process mono films is excellent. Personally I would take the 28 and the 80-200 out of your pick. Do you have flash and will you be allowed to use it in the church? If weight is an issue you could try a monopod in the church with the 80-200. You may be pushing things a little, but as an ordinary guest, you probably won't be able to roam as freely as the 'pro'.

 

Good luck

 

Charlie

[aspherix]

Hi Steve,

I shot some weddings last year and I found that a second body does the trick. Everything happens so quickly, you´ll just have no time for changing lenses. May be you can rent a second body, then go for the 28 and the 135 or 80-200.

You might want to consider Kodak´s Portra 160 NC for portraits outdoors, and 400 VC or even 800 indoors. Those colour film would nevertheless allow to convert pictures into BW after scanning, with very good results.

 

Don´t forget a ladder for the group picture!

 

Regards

 

Niklas

[troyfreund]

I shoot alot of weddings. The difference here, I figure, is whether you're an "official" photographer or shooting as a guest. If you're THE photographer, I'd stick close to the couple (or whoever you're shooting) and stick with the 28 and 50. I shoot wedding with a 21, 28, 50 and 90. I bet I shoot 95% of my shots with the 28 and 50.

If you're shooting as a friend/guest, then maybe stick with the 50 and 135, as you might not be getting as close to the subject as you would if you the official photographer.

Yeah, things do happen fast, but you won't miss 'em if you just keep your cool. Good luck.

Troy Freund

http://www.troyfreund.com

http://www.homepage.mac.com/troyfreund/PhotoAlbum60.html (bunch of wedding samples).

[Rolo]

I shoot weddings too and advise you to keep it simple and enjoy the event and your photography.

 

Shoot C41 to reduce time processing and shoot one film stock - 400asa will be fine. I use an ND filter to help open the aperture for exterior shots.

 

A wide lens is essential, at least an f2, pref f1.4 and shoot wide open.

 

I shoot with 2 Leica M's with 50mm and 35mm attached and a 90mm in the bag, but it's rarely used. As a casual photographer, you may prefer to go slightly longer so you can stand off.

 

Rolo

[likea]

Just shot B&W at our son's wedding two weeks ago. After much deliberation, I used Kodak 400CN and have no regrets! The speed allowed me to shoot indoors, and the ceremony outside with plenty of latitude. I ended up just using an Apo Summicron 90mm ASPH on an MP. The 90mm gives the best fidelity of facial geometry. I didn't want to be switching lenses and dragging around a pile of equipment. I got Target 1-hour processing with a CD and prints just to have everything right away. The pictures are dynamite. I'd put mine up against the professional photographer, who used a Nikon D200. And, no comparison between my B&W's and his color-stripped Photoshop deals. I wouldn't change a think if I had to do it again.