How much crap do you take to a wedding?

[scootermcq]

Just packing up for a wedding tomorrow and I just realized exactly how much crap I have to take. This is pretty typical for me for a wedding, but will vary depending on the venue. Here is what I have packed:

2 D300's
17-50 f2.8
80-200 f2.8
50 f1.4
6.5mm f3.5
18-200 (back-up)
2x SB900's
2x SB600's
Gells
Flash Modifiers
Stroboframe w cord
100 Gig of CF cards
Hyperdrive (onsite card back-up)
Assorted Filters (ND, CPOL etc)
40 rechargeable AA
Dozen Disposable AA
2 Spare Camera batteries
External Battery packs SB900
Wireless Triggers
LCD Loupe
Cloths & Cleaners
(Above is in Pelican Case)
3x Strobes
2 Stands
1 Extendable Light Stick
3 x Brolley Boxes
2 x Convertable Umbrellas
Extension Cords
Vagabond II
(Above in light case)
Large Reflector
Large Diffuser
Tripod (Probably never get used)
Blackrapid Double
Lowepro S&F belt with pouches

Change of Shirt
Cooler with water & snacks
Pack of Smokes

and probably a few other things I forgot to list

What's your typical list look like?

[3bayjunkie]

I haven't actually purchased all of the following yet, however I will have it by my wedding in May of 2012. This is my things to take list. it is fairly simple as I only shoot natural light unless completely unpossible.

Nikon D7000 x 2
18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR II
50mm f/1.4
70-200mm f/2.8 VR II
100mm f/2 ZF.2

SB700 flash
Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light x 2 (1 on hot shoe, 1 held by an assistant)

4gb sd card x 10 (4 for shooting, 4 for backup, 2 extra)
Nikon Battery x 4 (1 in each camera for shooting, 2 backup)(i turn the LCD preview off to save battery)

One reflector, white pillow case, sheet etc. in case they don't have a white pillow/towel/bed sheet in the ready room.

shot list.

a smile

[DanielLane]

I thought about bringing all that crap to weddings too, but since no one seems to notice the difference in photos, I think I'll just bring a little 5mp cool-pix to the next one.

[Bruce A]

I understand the pack of smokes - if I was doing weddings I might be tempted to smoke again.

Nah - nothing short of news of terminal illness will make me smoke again, but doesn't mean I wouldn't like to. That's quite a list Scott - how many times do you think you could have halved that list?

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by Bruce A

That's quite a list Scott - how many times do you think you could have halved that list?

Not too often. I could leave a few items behind, but I would not have the redundancy in case something breaks or is defective. I usually do not need a tripod, but it has come in handy once or twice, about 80% of the time I don't need diffuser panels or reflectors, but the rest pretty much gets used. I usually only end up using one mono head during the formal portraits, but have used two to light up reception venues. The 3rd is in case a bulb goes or one gets knocked over etc. I don't use that many modifiers, but it's nice to have a choice depending on what I come across.

Anytime I try to slim down, I usually end up kicking myself, because that's the time I could have used it.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by 3bayjunkie

4gb sd card x 10 (4 for shooting, 4 for backup, 2 extra)

Might want more. That body on RAW will only get about 150 images on a 4 gig card, so if you are shooting with 5 (other 5 being duplicates) then you will only get somewhere in the neighborhood of 750 images if you fill each card.

You are a soldier, would you check your magazine in a lull in a fire fight and find you have 3 rounds left and not change mags for when things get hot again? If I am in a lull and a card is filling up, I will swap it out so it is not full at a crucial moment. You might loose a few hundred images on cards not full as well. Your 40 gigs in cards will get you about 400-500 images to cover an entire wedding

[Bruce A]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

Not too often. I could leave a few items behind, but I would not have the redundancy in case something breaks or is defective. I usually do not need a tripod, but it has come in handy once or twice, about 80% of the time I don't need diffuser panels or reflectors, but the rest pretty much gets used. I usually only end up using one mono head during the formal portraits, but have used two to light up reception venues. The 3rd is in case a bulb goes or one gets knocked over etc. I don't use that many modifiers, but it's nice to have a choice depending on what I come across.

Anytime I try to slim down, I usually end up kicking myself, because that's the time I could have used it.

Yeah, that's about what I thought you'd say - the old boy scout motto combined with Murphy's Law shoud be heeded by photographers everywhere - especially for weddings where anything can happen.

[3bayjunkie]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

Might want more. That body on RAW will only get about 150 images on a 4 gig card, so if you are shooting with 5 (other 5 being duplicates) then you will only get somewhere in the neighborhood of 750 images if you fill each card.

You are a soldier, would you check your magazine in a lull in a fire fight and find you have 3 rounds left and not change mags for when things get hot again? If I am in a lull and a card is filling up, I will swap it out so it is not full at a crucial moment. You might loose a few hundred images on cards not full as well. Your 40 gigs in cards will get you about 400-500 images to cover an entire wedding

Thats a good point. I should probably bring 14 or 16 4gb cards i guess. I'm used to shooting film so I usually am careful with my shots, otherwise i get a bunch of crap, but its better to be safe than sorry!

[RichardTaylor]

A big no no when shooting any kind of action (this is from shooting motor racing) is never ever change your memory card or battery during a race. One day you will miss the action. Always do it in between races or if there is a break.

[3bayjunkie]

another good reason to have an assistant. (wife / son / daughter / friend etc) to change out memory cards / film / lenses while you are shooting with your other camera.