Some advice

[Wynsam]

Thanks. Can you send me some links if you don't mind?

http://www.photographyreview.com/mfr/slik/tripods/PRD_83831_3114crx.aspx
http://www.photographyreview.com/mfr/slik/tripods/PRD_83831_3114crx.aspx

Thats the model that I have. I like it, not too big, yet big enough for supporting a decent sized lens. Easily copes with my 170 -500mm Sigma. I like that it gets low down too.

 

[mercurial]

You might want to dial that kit lens in to 50mm and then lock the ring with some tape just to get comfortable with it because you're going to have to get people pretty close together esp if space is limited (that's another reason why I got that fast wide lens).

Will do, thanks.

 

[mercurial]

http://www.photographyreview.com/mfr/slik/tripods/PRD_83831_3114crx.aspx
http://www.photographyreview.com/mfr/slik/tripods/PRD_83831_3114crx.aspx

Thats the model that I have. I like it, not too big, yet big enough for supporting a decent sized lens. Easily copes with my 170 -500mm Sigma. I like that it get low down too.

Thanks. I will take a look at them. With so many things to consider, I need to look at my limited budget and prioritise now

 

[mercurial]

I found some local links. Let me know what you guys think about them. I have a video tripod for my video camera but that didn't work on my SLR.

http://www.sacamera.co.za/product/311/Photo-Video-Tripods.html

 

[bwana]

I found some local links. Let me know what you guys think about them. I have a video tripod for my video camera but that didn't work on my SLR.

http://www.sacamera.co.za/product/311/Photo-Video-Tripods.html

Those cheap tripods are crappy (I've got one) but they'll get the job done. The pan and tilt mechanism isnt the greatest and it will move all over the place but once you have it locked down it should be ok.

IMO - first spend your money on the flash, then the 50mm, and then a tripod.

 

[mercurial]

Those tripods are crappy (I've got one) but they'll get the job done.

IMO - first spend your money on the flash, then the 50mm, and then a tripod.

Okay, thanks. I just realised now that I have one of those as my video tripod and the website says it works for SLR as well. Maybe I should try it again.

 

[koffiejunkie]

Any recommendations on tripods?

I started out with a Velbon CX-444 cheapy. It's sturdy enough for the 40D + 24-105L (that's 1.5kg) and probably some more. Like bwana said, the pan and tilt isn't great. The tilt part especially is fiddly to use. Either ways, one of two of those is all you need to stick a off-camera flash on - that's why I hang on to mine.

If you want to spend the money on a good tripod that will last you a long time, look at the Gitzo carbon-fibre ones. They weigh very little, they're incredibly strong, they can handle a lot more weight too.

Take it from me (I've been married twice ) its a lot more involved than just the ceremony and the reception. There's the whole morning with the bridal party to deal with.

That's what I'm scared of. I've become reasonably good about blending into a crowd despite the monster camera around my neck, so the event part doesn't worry me too much.

Maybe there is a local photographer that will let you shadow him/her?

I'm looking into that.

 

[mercurial]

I started out with a Velbon CX-444 cheapy. It's sturdy enough for the 40D + 24-105L (that's 1.5kg) and probably some more. Like bwana said, the pan and tilt isn't great. The tilt part especially is fiddly to use. Either ways, one of two of those is all you need to stick a off-camera flash on - that's why I hang on to mine.

If you want to spend the money on a good tripod that will last you a long time, look at the Gitzo carbon-fibre ones. They weigh very little, they're incredibly strong, they can handle a lot more weight too.

Cool! I will try and source it.

 

[mercurial]

I'm on the gitzo site now but there are so many to choose from?

http://www.gitzo.com/Jahia/site/git...T:AAA1&curMarketId=MARKET:MKT1&curBrandId=BGI

 

[koffiejunkie]

I know, and they don't put the model numbers on the tripods, so I'm not exactly sure which one I have. It's one of the Mountaineers though.

 

[mercurial]

I know, and they don't put the model numbers on the tripods, so I'm not exactly sure which one I have. It's one of the Mountaineers though.

Aah, thanks. I'll have a look at that range.

 

[mercurial]

B&H has, but gawd damn it's expensive. $600 as the starting price.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/...l/mnp/0.0/mxp/0.0/sortDrop/Brand:+A+to+Z/pn/3

 

[BigAl-sa]

B&H has, but gawd damn it's expensive. $600 as the starting price.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/...l/mnp/0.0/mxp/0.0/sortDrop/Brand:+A+to+Z/pn/3

http://www.outdoorphotoshop.co.za/category.aspx?categoryID=312

 

[mercurial]

http://www.outdoorphotoshop.co.za/category.aspx?categoryID=312

Thanks. Still expensive though

 

[bwana]

Got your flash yet?

If you're going to be in a room where bouncing the flash off the ceiling/walls isnt practical, and want to save a few bucks, then make yourself a bounce card. All you really need is a piece of white card and a few elastic bands

 

[mercurial]

Got your flash yet?

If you're going to be in a room where bouncing the flash off the ceiling/walls isnt practical, and want to save a few bucks, then make yourself a bounce card. All you really need is a piece of white card and a few elastic bands

I'm still having a look at them. I think I should get a flash only if I can get another battery, else it will be useless. I'm looking at the Canon 430 EX II.

Lol. I'm not really gonna be using it to bounce the light off the ceilings. I think most of the pics would be taken from fairly close the bride and groom.

 

[BigAl-sa]

I'm still having a look at them. I think I should get a flash only if I can get another battery, else it will be useless. I'm looking at the Canon 430 EX II.

Not sure where your thinking is going here. External flashes need penlights. You can buy a set of rechargeables at the Spar for around R100 with a charger. Your camera should be good for 500-800 shots on one charge, so providing you don't go overboard with taking pics, you should be ok if you charge the battery the night before.

 

[mercurial]

Not sure where your thinking is going here. External flashes need penlights. You can buy a set of rechargeables at the Spar for around R100 with a charger. Your camera should be good for 500-800 shots on one charge, so providing you don't go overboard with taking pics, you should be ok if you charge the battery the night before.

Oh. I thought the flash uses the battery from the DSLR?
Then I can try and get the flash now. Can you give me a link to the type of batteries?

 

[bwana]

I'm still having a look at them. I think I should get a flash only if I can get another battery, else it will be useless. I'm looking at the Canon 430 EX II.

Have a look at the sigmas - excellent value for money and they have pretty much the same feature set as the expensive canons. Best batteries I've found are the AA size Uniross Hybrios. Macro often sells them 4 for r100 with a charger but you'll want at least two sets. Unlike most rechargeable batteries they come precharged and they'll keep their charge in your bag.

Lol. I'm not really gonna be using it to bounce the light off the ceilings. I think most of the pics would be taken from fairly close the bride and groom.

whenever possible you want to avoid direct flash and bounce or otherwise diffuse it . . . unless you think they'll enjoy the deer-caught-in-the-headlights washed out look?

 

[mercurial]

Have a look at the sigmas - excellent value for money and they have pretty much the same feature set as the expensive canons. Best batteries I've found are the AA size Uniross Hybrios.

Thanks. Any specific Sigma flash I should look at?

whenever possible you want to avoid direct flash and bounce it. Unless you think they'll enjoy the deer-caught-in-the-headlights washed out look?

Okay, but can I not tone down the exposure compensation of the flash?