What gear do you use?
First let me say its not about the gear because you can make good pictures with a pinhole camera and the sun (which I’ve done) but of course you wouldn’t take that to a wedding. We always talk about what we need and over time and with use, we’ve determined what works for us. Of course, we are always on the lookout for that one thing that gives us more flexibility, creative options and ease of use.
This is the gear we frequently take to weddings and is split between us. All Nikon unless otherwise mentioned
- Cameras:
3 D700 bodies
1 D300 body - Lenses
2 24-70mm 2.8 : Now our new favorite lenses ever! ( A ZOOM no less! Who woulda thunk?!)
2 85mm f/1.8: Still a ginsu sharp crowd pleaser
1 80-200mm 2.8: Our new long reach lens (What?! Another zoom?!! Yes and who needs VR anyway?)
1 DC 135mm f/2.0: Got demoted but still packs a punch
1 20mm 2.8: The best 4th Quarter clutch lens a photog could ask for
1 28mm 2.8
2 50mm f/1.8: We hardly ever use these anymore and they are frequently left in our bags or at home, but still VERY good lenses - Flashes
2 SB 900
2 SB 600
1 SB 800 - Memory
About 80 gb worth or mostly SanDisk and one or two Lexar 8gb CF cards - Other Nick Knack Paddy Wacks Give the dog a bone
Wireless triggers
A ton load of rechargable batteries
Macbook Pros when shooting out of Trinidad
Flash Stands: So we can put our flashes down anywhere
Do you have/need and assistant?
Nope, we’re pretty big, so there is no room in the car for three people and all that gear …OK, OK, I think it may be a bit much for three people to roll up in a wedding, especially if its a small wedding. Between ourselves, we are able to handle all that a wedding could throw at us.
How long have you been shooting for?
I’ve been shooting for fun since ‘03, got my first DSLR in ‘05 and did my first ever wedding in ‘06. Ayinde was into photography way before I was, he’s been shooting for about 12 years now.
I’m thinking about doing weddings what camera would you recommend?
If you don’t do weddings professionally at the moment, the best answer to that questions would be; the camera you can afford. If you are a professional and looking for a useful, versatile, intuitive upgrade for wedding photography, for Nikon shooters I would suggest the D700 and for Canon shooters I would suggest the 5D Mark II. You can go higher end but IMHO that would just be overkill. We can’t suggest any other brands because we haven’t used them.
How come you have so many prime lenses?
Bigger apertures, tack sharpness, creamy bokeh and color excellent rendition. PLUS it keeps you fit on account of its manual zoom The 24mm-70mm 2.8 only made the cut because of its versatility.
Do you train/offer classes?
As of now, no. but soooooo many people have asked, we are thinking about it.
