I am not a pro but I have photographed one wedding, for my niece, in a large stately home in the North East. They did not have much money and I did this as our wedding present for them.

I fully understand your position and I give this advice as a complete (wedding) novice after the event.

On top of the excellent advice given above I would also suggest the following:

Don't scrimp on the recce time. When you visit the location beforehand consider suitable backdrops and interesting nooks and corners where you can get some more imaginative shots of the couple. Take plenty of time and relax and explore.

Study the light. I had to take a picture of the bride coming down a dark wooden staircase with lights behind and beside her but the bottom of the stairs (where I was standing) was lit by a full length side window. The metering was all over the place as the 'sequence' progressed. Practice different settings beforehand and, if you feel its worthwhile write little notes about each location as a guide. I had discrete 'yellow stickies' hidden behind curtains and stuck on flower pots
Although they were happy with the end photos I certainly think I could have done better.

Always have a plan B location and shot list for bad weather (as mentioned above).

Consider some 'props' for photos of kids. By chance we found a small umbrella on the day and I ended up with some lovely ad-hoc shots like this:




Take the large groups shots first and then slowly release people until you are left with the Bride and Groom. That way guests aren't hanging around to have there picture taken whilst you take the smaller groups.

This also means that they can head off to the reception whilst you can have quality time with the couple.

Don't forget to take some filler/background shots without people such as confetti on the grass or balloons at the reception as these will add to the album and help set the scene:







You may even be able to take some of these on the recce.

As you know them I assume that you are also there as a guest as well. So don't forget to include yourself in the group shots. We had a lot of fun with 50+ people waiting for the self timer whilst I ran back and forth to the tripod. It made everybody laugh and helped break the ice between me and the crowd.

Consider taking (or having access to) a step ladder unless there is some other high access point. It will allow you to gain some height over the large group shots so that you can see everyone.

Are you taking pictures at the reception? If so consider some more informal shots of the dance floor etc.

This wedding was a disco in a cleaned out cattle barn on a farm. The lighting was a nightmare and the end results were not as good as I had hoped but I did get the people and the effect of the disco lights to demonstrate the atmosphere.




Look for locations between the service and reception (assuming they're different) where the car can stop and you can picture the couple against a local backdrop.

Consider getting some help. In our case we put small disposable cameras on each table and asked the guests to click away to their hearts content. Some of the shots were rubbish, some were obscene but one or two were worth having.

We ended up with 2 wedding albums. I containing the formal 'set' photos and one which had a lot of the 'fun' ad-hoc pictures in it.

I had one camera, 2 lenses, 2 spare batteries, and 2 spare memory cards. So I was far less equipped and prepared than you are and still managed to keep the 'client' happy.

I'm sure you will be fine. Above all else enjoy the day.

I'm not, but I'd like to be

New Pentax kit, a Zenfolio website and some grand dreams for this year


Ask me again in a year

Having just bought an ex-demo 12-24 (which I haven't used yet, but by all reports is excellent) I would only be interested in the 12-28 DA* if there was noticeable IQ difference or, more importantly for me, weather sealing.

I would suggest that anyone living near the proposed path of the new HS2 should get snapping.

Yep

I love threads like this, they can keep people amused for days whilst achieving no conclusion of consequence. It's brilliant.

My understanding of these 4 pages is:

Some people can see a difference and some can't

Some people don't care if there's a difference and have bought one any way

Some people don't have either and seem to want to point out that those who do have wasted money on the wrong one or not

Some people won't buy either but seem to care about what others buy

Some people have tried both and come to a rational decision based upon practical experience but other still want to point out that they're wrong

Pentax have pulled the wool over everyone's eyes and are managing to con £130 from a lot of gullible people (or not)

Do you think we can get another 4 pages without coming to a conclusion

if it was a DA* then i would definitely wait as I would like the weather proofing. However if the little green band is anything to go by then it looks like it's a straight replacement

thanks for all the comments.

Thats settled it then it will have to be.....

or.....

seems like there's as many for one as there is the other.

decisions, decisons.....

I ruled out the 15mm because it was f4 which meant I gained nothing over the 12-24. The 14mm was F2.8 and so could have gained me something in lower light situations.

The 10-20mm sigma sounds a good option but uses a 82mm filter thread. I intend to carry/use a variable ND and a polariser for photo and video work. the 12-24 uses a 77 mm thread which means that the same filter will fit my 16-50. Saving some pennies and less to carry around.

Thanks for all the comments at least I can now feel comfortable that my initial thoughts were sound and the 12-24 is the way to go.

There are currently 2 ex-display lenses on ebay at £599 and £589 one from the Camera Centre Cardiff and one from the White Group. Both have good feedback scores does anyone have any experience of either?

I have a hole in my focal length (ooh er missus).

I used to have an Olympus 9-18mm on my previous camera and found this fantastic for interior and landscape shots. Due to the 2x crop factor this equates to 18-36mm FF equivalent.

I have been planning to go for the 12-24 DA zoom but then had a thought that a wide prime lens might be a better option as it could be a bit faster and may even give better IQ.

Ideally I wanted weather sealed but this doesn't seem to be an option at this focal length.

So can anyone here rate the DA 14mm prime and compare the IQ to the 12-24 zoom?

This site link doesn't score it as highly but I would be interested in any other views out there.

Of course any other options to consider in the 18mm FF area would also be welcome.

Any help would be apreciated