Wow. How quickly things change. Here’s one of the first posts I wrote on this blog about the equipment I use: What’s In My Bag.
I thought it would be interesting to write a new blog post with my current set up for weddings.
First, I usually use the Boda Bag, and take one extra back up bag.
I use:
2 1DMII’s
24mm 1.4
35mm 2.0
50mm 1.4
85mm 1.2
100 2.8
2 580EX flashes
cards, extra batteries, and a few other odds and ends. That’s it.
I have one lens on each camera, so there are only 3 lenses in my bag at any given time. Usually, I have the 85 on one camera, and the 35 on the other.
In the backup bag, I usually have a 5D, a 16-35 2.8, a 24-70 2.8, the 70-200 2.8, and a 550EX flash.
I also throw my lightstick into the car and keep it there until the reception. I have my 2nd shooter or assistant help me with the light stick. This is a simple monopod with a flash on it, and a PocketWizard attached. I use this at the reception to add depth to the lighting. I’ll be posting about this technique, which I learned from Huy Nguyen, in a future post.
I find that being lighter and carrying less on me helps me to be free. I feel lighter and more creative. Too much equipment really bogs me down. I like using small compact flashes because they are easy to carry, move, and use. If I am shooting in a really dark environment, I’ll bring a mono light on a stand, that is also fired by a pocket wizard, and place it somewhere in a corner for additional lighting. But, that’s an extreme case for me.
I’ve chosen to use 1DMII’s over 5D’s because I simply like the way the 1D series cameras handle. They operate the way I expect a professional camera to operate. The 5D’s are extremely nice cameras, but they operate just a tad slow for me for professional wedding work. I would have the 1DMIII, but there are too many reports of problems. I shot one myself not to long ago, and didn’t care for it. Another reason for using the 1D-series cameras is that they have automatic backup. You can put an SD card in the camera as well as your CF card, and have all your images simultaneously write to both cards. This is very important in wedding work, and often overlooked. Another reason I use the 1DMII cameras is they still use 8.2 megapixels. For me, that is just the perfect size file for weddings and portraits. After using the 5D for a while, which has 12.8 megpixels, I can tell you that 12.8 is just too much. You don’t need it. And it is a waste of storage space. So, I’m sticking with my 8.2 MP cameras for a while. Lastly, I really think the files out of the 1DMII cameras are beautiful. Highlight recovery is better than the 5D, and the color overall is better, and looks the way I expect it to out of the camera.
I know the debate rages over everything I’ve posted. That’s fine. This is my blog and I can say whatever I want.
Happy shooting!
Jerry Frazier
Los Angeles Wedding Photographer
http://www.jerryfrazierphotography.com
