Might be shooting my sister..... ;)

[mrskiss]

at her wedding in a month. She is having a registry wedding and then will go to nearby gardens for photos. I said I would help with the photography side of things, as long as she still wants me too. I have had my 400d for about a year now, and think I have got a good amateurish handle on things.

I am looking at buying a second battery or a grip and maybe the 1.8 50mm -

I have the kit lenses - 18-55IS and 55-250mm IS.

I am not planning on doing weddings proper in the near future, just doing this to help my sister out. Any suggestions/help/tips that will help me take some decent shots?

[trigger]

looking at the equipment I would have to ask what size prints you are thinking of producing? the 400D and those lenses just aint going to cut it when it comes to the medium / large prints.

I think a flash gun is essential, most of your lenses are f/3.5 + ? too slow for action if it gets overcast. Also because you will be shooting outdoors you will need it to fill flash the subjects.

i'd say forget about the battery grip and get the 1.8 for the shallow DOF and a 430EX flash gun

[mrskiss]

Thanks for your reply Trigger.
Well in terms of print size - I hadn't even really thought of that. I don't think my sister will care if she can't get massive prints, just standard 4 x 6 and a few enlargements. For interest sake, what is the largest print a 400d would be able to produce?

I have been looking at the 1.8 for a while, this wedding may be the reason I will buy it. Regarding the flash gun, how much would I be looking at for one of these? Would there be a generic brand one that is cheaper with similar effect??

I haven't done much flash photography in my time...

[Shaddsi]

mrskiss... I had the 400d and have printed up to about 30inches..

The current lens you have wont let enough light in for you to take a photo that is sharp in lower light. The 1.8 will give you enough light and enough sharpness (essential for your enlargements) for the day.

The 430ex is a canon flash and really is on the cheaper side of flashes. You can get one for under $400 (i have seen them as low as $250). This is an essential piece of kit and you wont regret buying it! I use mine all the time, its great for everything! You can use it for fill fash, bounce flash, evening out light, light effects, etc..

[mrskiss]

Ok, I'm sold on buying the 1.8. Any suggestions on a good store that has these at the lowest price with good delivery - won't be able to pick up at a shop as I am whoop whoop.

I will definitely look into the flash, have to persuade myself to spend money though.. Do the flashes work with the camera battery? or do they have their own supply? I'm going to buy a second battery as I think I would need it.

[littlealbert]

My flash takes 4 AA's. And goes through them quickly so make sure you have another set charged up.

Don't see why a 400D wouldn't cut it - I'm sure the enlargements will be great.

Do you have someone who could help you, be an assistant? Maybe you could get a reflector for the portraits, you'll need someone to hold that.
If it's a low light day, that will help, and if it's a sunny day, it will help with the shadows.

Ask your sis what sort of photos she likes so you'll have an idea of what to do on the day. Have a look at some photography websites for ideas of poses etc...

Be prepared, and be planned. Make sure you know the wedding schedule so you don't miss anything important, and write down the things you HAVE to shoot and can't miss: like the kiss, and the signing of the papers/certificates.

Don't forget the special little things like close ups of rings, certificates, perfume bottle, jewellery, stuff like that.

Good luck!


ETA: a flash is definitely worth if for any type of photography! I use mine ALL the time, pretty much every time I'm indoors (I bounce it off the ceiling). I hate the direct flash look!

[brontux]

hi mrskiss

i have a canon 300d and have so far done enlargements up to 11 x 14 inches and they have come up perfectly. can't see why your newer model won't print up the same or if not better. mind you any bride wanting to go bigger than 11 x 14 of remind herself of her wedding day needs to see a shrink :D.

i have posted a few pics of a wedding i did with my 300d in this topic titled "mick and kylies wedding" if you want to get an idea.

[Photogenic]

a shop for lenses - camerasdirect.com.au I got mine from there and was happy with the service - from memory they were the cheapest for that lens at the time as well - can't guarantee they are still the cheapest as I haven't looked since I got mine.

Linda

[Shaddsi]

sorry i have to take the bait... i think we have all wanted to shoot our sisters once in our lives.. mines a pain in the bum!!

[lenlara]

The 430ex is a canon flash and really is on the cheaper side of flashes. You can get one for under $400 (i have seen them as low as $250).


shaddsi would you like to share where you saw that ? :P

[trigger]

For your case i think the 430EX is perfect. Would balance out on the 400D body vs the massive 580EX.

430EX at $250? that might have been true when the AUD / US was 0.90
Its more like $300 for a used 430EX via eBay.

Careful about eBay tho. Pickups only! I recently won and paid for a Canon 580EX but the seller shipped it to the wrong place! :mad: Getting money back via paypal now after 2 weeks of BS.

[Smorter]

I really have to recommend the 580EXII, or actually 2 X 580EXII, one for backup.

The 580EXII is much, much better for not much extra cost

- The 580EXII can rotate both left and right by 180 degrees. The 430EXII cannot

- The 580EXII can accept a CP-E4 Battery Pack. The 430EXII cannot (You don't want the flash to be recharging during the cake cutting etc :( )

- The 580EXII has Flash Exposure Bracketing. The 430EXII does not

- The 580EXII has Stroboscopic functions. The 430EXII does not

- The 580EXII is weather sealed. The 430EXII is not. (But I don't recommend getting it wet anyway)

- The 580EXII can control other off camera Speedlites. The 430EXII cannot

- The 580EXII is more powerful than the 430EXII.

- For the same output, the 580EXII recycles faster than the 430EXII especially with a CP-E4 attached.

The 430EXII is a GREAT flash - when you buy a 430EXII you will be over the moon, BUT the day you use a 580EXII will be the day you will ask yourself "Why did I ever get a 430EXII?". I say this because the same thing happened to me, and so I strongly recommend you save up a little bit more for a 580EXII.

[IanB]

Sorry; but I would never do a family's or a friend's wedding photos. Take the hint ;)

Cheers

[Shaddsi]

shaddsi would you like to share where you saw that ? :P

Seen them on ebay and classifieds.. not too regular, usually late finishing auctions.

[MistieWatters]

sorry i have to take the bait... i think we have all wanted to shoot our sisters once in our lives.. mines a pain in the bum!!

Mine shot me, my new husband and my 4 month old baby a few years ago. She must have had bad aim because all I got was a bunch of photos!?

[brontux]

as i always say...if it gets in your road.......shoot it

[mrskiss]

Ha ha very funny some of you ;)

Thing is, if I don't do her photos, she won't have very many, and maybe not too many good ones. She is only having a registry wedding, and no big reception or anything - so basically it is me taking some pics of my sister and her man, with some family thrown in. I want to give her the chance of some nice photos, even though I'm only a beginner. I'm sure she won't be coming to track me down if they aren't brilliant photos. Since I am the one with the interest in photog and have a SLR, this gives me an excuse to 1: buy some more gear, and 2: get some practice shooting people. There will be plenty of other compact cameras around as backup, and even these can take some good shots. I am able to muck with them a little bit afterwards.

I'm still a bit hesitant on the flash, but will def look into it more, just not sure I would use it all that often after this day...

[mrskiss]

OK - so I have been looking at flashes.

I have come across this (http://www.teds.com.au/www/6/1001102/displayproduct/sunpak-pz40x-flash-for-canon--2040694_flash-guns--1001229_.html) and this (http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod2965.htm) - does anyone know how comparable they would be to the canon??

[brontux]

my advice

bite the bullet and buy the quality one.........i have a 580ex and i wouldn't swap it for anything.

as another thought i have heard people on here talking about hiring a lens to try before you buy.....does anyone know if mrskiss could do the same with a flash unit???? one way of giving yourself more time to save for a good one.

[mrskiss]

Just got my new 1.8 50mm..... Might try to use it for a bit tomorrow....

Bought some cheap batteries as well.