Some friends who already got married will come to where I live to throw a fake wedding party for a bunch of friends who'll join, maybe 40-45 people, they like my photography but besides some paid portraits work I never did anything like a party and I suggested to have a pro or one of the many paparazzi who were populating the area until a few years back (who ended business less after the digital era and mobile phone photography) but they say they don't need any pro as they already have memories off the real wedding and as such they would be fine with just me and some candid shots.
The ceremony will be 7pm, it will already start to be quite dim by that time, I couldn't see the venue yet as it's a private property which will only get available two days ahead of time.
I don't own zoom lenses besides a few do-it-all ones, I shoot both D-SLR and ML, I favorite the 58 and 85 lenses so I thought I might take the two Z I own, the Z6II and Z8, former with the 24-120 for general shots, the Z8 with the 85 for some candid during the fake ceremony and the 58 on a D850 as it bothers me to mount and unmount lenses but it also bothers me to carry so much stuff even tho once on site I would ideally only hold one camera and maybe another handy or over a shoulder.
I won't take a strobe with stand and modifier, too much gear and they said they only want some candids, I might take the little Godox IT30Pro and triggers so I can eventually use it off my left hand as a fill light.
GiovanniAprea wrote:
Some friends who already got married will come to where I live to throw a fake wedding party for a bunch of friends who'll join, maybe 40-45 people, they like my photography but besides some paid portraits work I never did anything like a party and I suggested to have a pro or one of the many paparazzi who were populating the area until a few years back (who ended business less after the digital era and mobile phone photography) but they say they don't need any pro as they already have memories off the real wedding and as such they would be fine with just me and some candid shots.
The ceremony will be 7pm, it will already start to be quite dim by that time, I couldn't see the venue yet as it's a private property which will only get available two days ahead of time.
I don't own zoom lenses besides a few do-it-all ones, I shoot both D-SLR and ML, I favorite the 58 and 85 lenses so I thought I might take the two Z I own, the Z6II and Z8, former with the 24-120 for general shots, the Z8 with the 85 for some candid during the fake ceremony and the 58 on a D850 as it bothers me to mount and unmount lenses but it also bothers me to carry so much stuff even tho once on site I would ideally only hold one camera and maybe another handy or over a shoulder.
I won't take a strobe with stand and modifier, too much gear and they said they only want some candids, I might take the little Godox IT30Pro and triggers so I can eventually use it off my left hand as a fill light.
I‘d suggest renting a 24-70mm f2.8 or the Tamron 35-150mm to use over the 24-120mm. Both for the light gathering and potential for some more background blur at wider focal lengths.
Personally, I‘d also consider adding a compact fast-ish prime in the 28-40mm region to use later in the evening. Imo it’s nice to get closer to people for those images, but I don’t like shoving a massive (zoom) lens in someone’s face in those settings.
So personally I’d probably use 24-70mm f2.8, 35mm f1.4 or 1.8, 85mm f1.8 (+ maybe the D850 + 58mm)
Here where I live not possible to rent gear nor I'd ask friends who I know they own the 24-70G, prime wise the 58G is not that big on a D body, bulk is no issue as far as blur I can't think of anything below 50mm, it's my limitation, I own some wider primes but they are either MF or too wide like a beautiful Contax Distagon 35/1.4 or a tiny 25/2.8 still by Contax as well as a 20/1.8G by Nikon or the bulky but amazing 14-24/2.8S but I never developed an eye for these focal lengths, it really is a limitation I face also when I wanna take landscape.
I would use a tele lens on 1 camera and a 35mmish on another and put a wider lens in your bag in case 35mmish is not wide enough, or if you want to get more varied shots (I'd offer more specific suggestions but i don't know all the gear you have and also its quite personal preference). I would use gear you're comfortable with - so skip the 14-24mm as a primary lens (though it can be used for the varied shots). Maybe use the 35mm f1.4 Zeiss and the 58mm. The 58mm isn't too tight and can work with some legwork (moving back and forth) to supplement the 35mm, if you need to use autofocus. An 85mm may be too tight if you need autofocus in a pinch and don't want to manual focus the 35mm zeiss. Manual focus should be ok as you're not shooting as a pro and needn't capture every moment.
GiovanniAprea wrote:
Some friends who already got married will come to where I live to throw a fake wedding party for a bunch of friends who'll join, maybe 40-45 people, they like my photography but besides some paid portraits work I never did anything like a party and I suggested to have a pro or one of the many paparazzi who were populating the area until a few years back (who ended business less after the digital era and mobile phone photography) but they say they don't need any pro as they already have memories off the real wedding and as such they would be fine with just me and some candid shots.
The ceremony will be 7pm, it will already start to be quite dim by that time, I couldn't see the venue yet as it's a private property which will only get available two days ahead of time.
I don't own zoom lenses besides a few do-it-all ones, I shoot both D-SLR and ML, I favorite the 58 and 85 lenses so I thought I might take the two Z I own, the Z6II and Z8, former with the 24-120 for general shots, the Z8 with the 85 for some candid during the fake ceremony and the 58 on a D850 as it bothers me to mount and unmount lenses but it also bothers me to carry so much stuff even tho once on site I would ideally only hold one camera and maybe another handy or over a shoulder.
I won't take a strobe with stand and modifier, too much gear and they said they only want some candids, I might take the little Godox IT30Pro and triggers so I can eventually use it off my left hand as a fill light.
I saw one guy photograph friend's wedding using 50mm + handle mount flash, not sure if he even used anything else. So you might get away with 58mm
Id probably take 58, 85, and 24-120 (is f/4 going to work?) and a more powerful flash especially the time I photographed one in a house using bounce flash some of the time. Do I want to take that much no, but sometimes you take the gear you have. Doubt I'd take three bodies though
On Z mount, besides the wide angle zoom, I own 24-70/4, 24-120/4, 50S, 85/1.2, on D mount, relevant for this instance, 58G, 85/1.4D.
I won't bet on ManualFocus with the Zeiss, I rather have three bodies each with a lens, Z6II with 24-120, Z8 with either 50S-85S-58G adapted, D850 with 58G or 85D, the little strobe and the two triggers just inc case.
GiovanniAprea wrote:
On Z mount, besides the wide angle zoom, I own 24-70/4, 24-120/4, 50S, 85/1.2, on D mount, relevant for this instance, 58G, 85/1.4D.
I won't bet on ManualFocus with the Zeiss, I rather have three bodies each with a lens, Z6II with 24-120, Z8 with either 50S-85S-58G adapted, D850 with 58G or 85D, the little strobe and the two triggers just inc case.
Looks like you got it sorted - 3 bodies make it easier and have 1 lens per body. I would do 24-120 on the Z8 (to crop if you end up shooting too wide), 58mm on the DSLR and 85mm f1.2 on the Z6III. It's a happy problem. Actually the only problem i can see now is you not enjoying the event!
Back in the 1980s I had a wedding photo business. Back then 2 1/4 medium format was the prefered format for weddings. I used a Mamiya C330 with an 80 and a 55mm lens. It was perfect for its' day but today things a very different. In your case the Z6ii is probably the camera you are most familiar with. The 24-120 can be used for just about anything you need. If not you could rent a 70-200 f/2.8 and have it on your other body. A good flash will come in handy for the reception and shots outside. Don't try to carry more than you really need. (jmho)
I know your friends aren't setting the bar high when asking for a friend to take pictures, but keep in mind that wedding pictures will become family heirlooms. It will be shown to children, grandchildren, extended family... but also, let's not blow it out of proportion. I'd take it seriously if I were being paid, but if I were taking pictures for friends... not *quite* the pressure.
But I think you can get 99% of the work done with 3 lenses: 35 prime, 85 prime, and a 70-200 2.8. A standard zoom of some sort (like the 24-120) is like a backup in case you need something wide. I'd always bring a flash, even if you're an 'available light' person, there are some lighting situations which are simply impossible (for example, the dance is usually really not well lit).
But everyone has a different style. Some people are good with a 24-70 and 70-200 combo. Some people are one body + a 50.
But for me, the most versatile set was:
- 2 bodies
- 35 prime
- 85 prime
- 70-200 2.8 (That 150-200 territory is necessary for taking the ceremony without practically being up on the stage)
- perhaps a standard zoom of some sort
- flash setup
I thought of the 85 on the Z8 just because it's AF is spot on for the eyes and, as said above, for candids off a distance where I'd then need to crop but I don't mind switching lens, what I won't want is to carry too much gear.
I have an old 80-200/2.8 which I could mount on the D850 but, really, too big and heavy and it gets soft past 150mm, 35mm wise for those who suggest, besides never really got down to think in that perspective, mine is a wonderful one but it's manual focus and it needs being adapted so it just doesn't only add to bulk but especially to failure, if I have to shoot stopped down then any native zoom would do it.
I own a Godox AD200 and umbrella, soft box but too much gear which I am sure won't be needed, the little IT30pro and triggers would do it if the situation calls for it but since I am a nerd at adding light I rather keep it to the minimum.
The couple already got married, this will be a fake ceremony it being the occasion to invite a bunch of family and friends to this place they so much like so there's no pressure at delivering on my side even tho I know I will want to deliver, never done such thing before, I have done paid portraiture and interiors which got published on magazines too but never done a ceremony but I know I can be good at semi-candid as that's my bread and butter as I like portraits but no posed one.
They are a couple of clients for me, I know him since many years and we built a solid respectful relationship between work and friend, we talk a lot and he's pretty straightforward, I proposed an extra camera person but he said they don't need, they just like the idea to have some impromptu shots, I am sure overthinking it.
I do own a bunch of gear, actually too much but most of it is old and not up to tasks, I have a series of Contax manual focus primes from 25mm up to 200mm with some exotic in between but, again, MF only if the subject is aware and I want a particular rendering or need to gather a lot of light, zooms are not really my thing so the idea of 58 and 85 for something which might eventually end onto paper and the 24-120 for stuff being spread along mobile phones could do it without too much hassle
GiovanniAprea wrote:
... I proposed an extra camera person but he said they don't need, they just like the idea to have some impromptu shots, I am sure overthinking it.
...
I think your friend is trying to tell you that they want something beyond the traditional wedding coverage, the standard shots, cutting the cake, dance with the mother, dance with the father etc. For professional coverage it's all pretty rote.
I've printed proofs for hundred of standard weddings, working at a commercial studio. The photographers shot with 120 TLRs and flash, one camera one flash. If the photographer goofed up or the film was damaged during processing, the studio took negatives from all attendees and printed an album for nothing. The point is, your friends aren't asking for that.
This sounds more like one camera and a fast 35mm lens job. Do it with a manual lens. Move around. Get close, make it personal. They want something personal, unscripted.
Do you know the size of the venue? Honestly I wouldn't bother doing this with some type of 24-70 2.8 and a 50 1.2 on the side, which you could probably supplant with the 58 1.4...I guess...the sweet spots on that lens are wonky to me based on my experience with it. Use the 85 1.2 as a candid portrait lens from a little bit of distance. If this is inside buy a flash, I'd never use the 24-120 inside with natural light. You could probably use a couple of shots in here for reference, granted this is a pretty old album and I shoot better than this now: Birthday Party
- D850 with 58G - Maybe 10 shots just to justify the fact I took it
- Z6II with 24-120 - shoot during the ceremony, maybe 100 shots until sun was still bright
- Z8 with 85/1.2 - this did the dirty job until 2am, astonishing!!!
The Z6II with the 24-120 does a lot, from f5.6 to f8 it is a jack of all trades until sun is up and it has to grab depth of field.
The Z8 with the 85/1.2 is a real burden but I still can't believe how did it not just focus but also nail the eye shooting almost the full figure with just dim artificial light and moving subjects (read dancing...), it is a burden to have it around the neck but the few shots I showed to the guests left them all in admiration.
I already choose about 150 good candidates, I wanna deliver between 60 and 100, the bride and groom will pick off contact sheets I will arrange, now it is all about to establish a rate, shooting time about 6-8 hours then processing.
