Best gear for wedding photog?

[julesjan]

I recently booked my first wedding - but it's not until March 2010. I have plenty of time to add to my gear if needed. I currently have a Nikon D90 with the 18-200mm lens. I also have the 1.8 50mm lens, but don't use that much. I have access to a D80 with the 18-200mm lens as my backup camera.

I definitely plan on buying a larger flash unit... probably the SB900.

What else are the MUST HAVES?

Thanks!

Julie

[dannyrich]

One of the guys at camera club is a pro photographer, weddings etc.

He shot the while wedding with a 50mm f/1.8!

The results were great but its some confidence!

[kencaleno]

Essential Equipment

Two camera bodies that share the lenses
Two flashes (strobes) plus cables, etc.,
18mm-55mm zoom-for groups-at 18-24mm settings
50mm standard lens F1.8-for low-light situations
Not essential, but handy for candids and from back of church images- 70mm-300mm zoom lens
large capacity digital storage cards
At least triple batteries as you think you will need
Two white reflectors
Diffusion (soft-focus) filter
85c warming filter for grey days (Shade white balance)
Tripod for formal photos
Lens hoods to control flare

[julesjan]

I already have a lot of that stuff but just didn't mention it, or will be able to get ahold of it before next March. Thanks for your replies!

[OsmosisStudios]

Ideally: a full-frame camera that allows you to use super-high ISOs without getting piles of noise. The D80/90 arent much good past 400/800 whereas a D700/D3 can be used without a problem or compromise up to 6400+

[krossk]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

The D80/90 arent much good past 400/800 ...

I would agree where the D80 is concerned, but the D90 shares the same sensor as the D300 and is very effective up to ISO 2500 without noise.

However, I'd still recommend faster glass than just a 50 f/1.8. I wouldn't even consider a (indoor church) wedding without a 2.8 zoom. I'm currently prep'ing for my first wedding in Sept. and will be adding a D300 to the arsenal just for that occasion. (That and 'cause I want one )

[matejmm]

I would suggest you some fast wide-angle prime lens for ambient photos.

[ericw]

Originally Posted by krossk

However, I'd still recommend faster glass than just a 50 f/1.8. I wouldn't even consider a (indoor church) wedding without a 2.8 zoom.

huh? Did you mean uh... faster focal length-change?

[julesjan]

Yes, I have been a little disappointed with the noise levels starting at around ISO 400 in the D90. Sometimes you can get away with not running any noise reduction software on the images, but it just depends. At ISO 800 it's pretty noticeable. I really was hoping for better quality in the D90 since it was the latest mid-range DLSR from Nikon and is pretty much brand new.

The D700 was in the cards until the stock market decided to flop last Sept!!!!! Hubby told me it was going to be a surprise but then it didn't work out. Major bummer... almost wish I didn't know that it was a possibility! But... maybe it will still happen... sometime.... in the next few months because that kind of ISO range would be wonderful for not only weddings, but all of the babies, kiddos, and families I shoot. The only downside to the full-frame cameras (from what I can tell) is that you really need at least 2-3 lenses to get the range of my 18-200mm (which I love). And those FX lenses aren't cheap. I can still use the 18-200mm on the D700, but it takes it down to like 5 megapixels. Any ideas on best method of attack to solve some of the above mentioned issues?

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by krossk

I would agree where the D80 is concerned, but the D90 shares the same sensor as the D300 and is very effective up to ISO 2500 without noise.

However, I'd still recommend faster glass than just a 50 f/1.8. I wouldn't even consider a (indoor church) wedding without a 2.8 zoom. I'm currently prep'ing for my first wedding in Sept. and will be adding a D300 to the arsenal just for that occasion. (That and 'cause I want one )

Faster than 1.8? at 1.8 image would be a little soft, and if you went to 1.4 or 1.2 image would be even softer-Sorry, but I don't get the reasoning behind that. You cannot have photographed many weddings-I have done hundreds,some with 50mm 1.8 prime only.Ken