So what is a must to have to photograph a wedding?
What do you guys use?

Depends entirely on how you shoot!

When I was shooting the odd wedding my style was very candid and photo journalistic but the prep shots were often always classic with window light with a little fashion inspiration if necessary. I would maybe use a reflector if it was absolutely critical, otherwise always natural light.

I used to use 2 bodies with the lenses 24/35/50/85 and use my feet to zoom. I found 35/85 the best combination for wide and tight coverage.

Couple shots.. Usually naturally lit too but would have LED panels for something a little different. Depending on location of course.

For lighting at receptions, i would always have a powerful LED panel or two on light stands to create some light, I rarely ever used flash, i hate the clean bounced flash look, it kills ambiance, i always side lit or backlit with LED panels.

So basically:

2 bodies/4 primes
2 spare batteries
Heaps of CF cards
Reflector (white/silver/black)
2 LED panels + at least one set of spare batteries per panel
1 speedlight (just in case)
My 500w portable studio flash (with a range of modifiers) with battery pack (again just in case)

Do you always shoot with prime lenses? Did not you miss a shot because you had to move closer and you did not have enough time?

I have a 70-200 but I have used it maybe once in 2 years. So basically always use primes and very rarely missed a shot.

I think zooms are generally for zooms that aren't confident in getting close with their feet.

This post was edited by lithfkn on Aug 13 2013 06:17am

I'd also like to add, things happen so quickly, it doesn't matter if you're using a prime or a zoom, if you're not right there and ready when it happens it's lost. Moments happen in a split second.

anyway, off topic.

are you thinking about shooting weddings csabi?

But if you use only primes and you don't have enough space, what would you do?
Well, I am too young, but I always shoot as a "secondary photographer" to get experience.. :D, but later yeah I would like to shoot weddings
I have 18-135 kit lens but want to upgrade it to 17-50mm 2.8 tamron, I think this is the best choice for it's price..
And want to buy another body and a 70-200 lens

You always have enough space with a 35. The good thing about 35 is that it's wide enough for almost any situation and it's not too wide where it will distort the hell out of everything if you're close.

As a secondary shooter you should be shooting just with a prime or two. Learn to get in close, instead of looking like the creep hiding with the 70-200 lol

But I don't have a full frame body.... yet ::DDD
got the 50mm f1.8, and that lens is fucking amazing, i shoot with that very often
well I have not tried 70-200 yet, only the KIT lens

Camera – something with good high iso performance, full frame would be nice

Lens – 24-70mm F/2.8 L USM, 70-200mm F/2.8 L IS II USM
(Optional whatever you have primes are good to but I prefer 70-200mm f2,8 )

Light – Spidlite x 2 (on camera, on soft box)

Power – Spare camera battery + AA batteries for flash

Additional – reflector, macro lens (details shots), ASSISTANT!

Assistant in my opinion is the most important thing in all weeding’s
Think about it this way if you are focus on a bride you don’t have a time to capture those unique expression witch guest have on there faces while first dance happening, or cake.
Also your assistant can have different focal length and cover different section of the place where weeding happening…

easy to avoid take measure of ambient and light subject whit flash

This post was edited by PANAM on Aug 13 2013 11:43am

And what if I can't get an assistant?