Wedding Equipment

thundermonkey said:
That's actually the monopod I currently used, and may hold off on the tripod for the time being until lenses are sorted out. :)
As for equipment, no, I can't get anything locally... so any lighting kit I go for, ideally would come with a recommendation from someone.

Back to the Tripod, maybe I could very well do the aluminium version, but I hope I wouldn't regret it when it comes time to lug all the equipment around on an actual shoot.

As it is, with a budget right now of about $1200, I have decide among the next few items.

Attenuator
Tripod/head
Lighting
Lens (Tamron 70-200 maybe)
Senheisser wireless mic set
2nd h4n zoom for wireless mic set
Click to expand...

I would just hold off with a full light kit until you have a job that requires it. The job can help offset the cost. For now, I would go with the two Lowel Prolights. You can use them for weddings as well as other work. A softbox is not the best choice for weddings, but very useful in other types of shoots.

Those tripods are so much smaller than we used to use when we shot with big cameras, so even the aluminum version is not that heavy.

I would reconsider the Sennheiser wireless kit. You can use little audio recorders and you don't have to worry about wireless dropouts. You really need a mic on the minister and groom, and you can get two audio recorders for less than one wireless system. Additionally, then you don't have to have a second H4n just for the wireless. You should also have audio devices on the musicians like strings, guitar, etc, and then if you have readers or any other audio that's happening during the ceremony.

There are many good audio recorders. I will list what we use, but there are many other good choices out there.
On the minister and groom
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...OCKETRAK_C24_POCKETRAK_C24_Pocket_Stereo.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._505U_EX505U_Unidirectional_Lavalier_Mic.html

On the strings, readers, etc
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/480163-REG/Zoom_H2_H2_Ultra_Portable_Digital_Audio.html

The Zoom H2 uses SD cards. The Yamaha has internal memory and you can also add a micro SD card.
 
you really should look at ShootQ (I think there are a couple of others but I like ShootQ the best) it can really streamline your inquiries and bookings - in fact your whole workflow. Sure it's for photographers and it's very U.S. centric but it's a fantastic piece of software. That will become an investment in the management & marketing of your business.
 
tired said:
you really should look at ShootQ (I think there are a couple of others but I like ShootQ the best) it can really streamline your inquiries and bookings - in fact your whole workflow. Sure it's for photographers and it's very U.S. centric but it's a fantastic piece of software. That will become an investment in the management & marketing of your business.
Click to expand...


Looked at it, seems nice, but way out of my league right now!
 
There seems to be a lot of emphasis on lenses and "which one to get" in this thread.

Have you considered just renting lenses? I shoot all kinds of things and have all kinds of equipment. To be honest, I put little emphasis on which lenses I keep in my permanent collection because quite frankly my needs range from shoot to shoot. Sure it would be nice to have a full set of Canon L zooms at my disposal at all times but it's just not cost effective. If I need a 70-200 2.8 I rent it. It's like 30$ for the weekend or something.

With that said, I do have my own lenses. I consider having fast primes essential. I use Nikkor lenses with an adapter. They look beautiful and are super cheap. Go out and get an old Nikon 50mm 1.4 with an adapter. It'll be one of the greatest lenses you'll ever own.
 
c0rpse said:
There seems to be a lot of emphasis on lenses and "which one to get" in this thread.

Have you considered just renting lenses? I shoot all kinds of things and have all kinds of equipment. To be honest, I put little emphasis on which lenses I keep in my permanent collection because quite frankly my needs range from shoot to shoot. Sure it would be nice to have a full set of Canon L zooms at my disposal at all times but it's just not cost effective. If I need a 70-200 2.8 I rent it. It's like 30$ for the weekend or something.

With that said, I do have my own lenses. I consider having fast primes essential. I use Nikkor lenses with an adapter. They look beautiful and are super cheap. Go out and get an old Nikon 50mm 1.4 with an adapter. It'll be one of the greatest lenses you'll ever own.
Click to expand...


Seems you did not read the full thread.

I live in the Caribbean. I do not have the luxury of going into a store to try out the latest cameras. I do not have the luxury of renting anything other than kit lenses. L series are considered "specialty" lenses that I was told I need to order on my own! Wide angle lens? Out of luck!

I do not have the luxury of craigslist or any sort of used market.

I have to 100% rely on purchasing what I need. For some things I may be able to rent (audio equipment, lighting) I will have to contend with stuff that I can't vouch for the condition, or quality. (I might get AN audio recorder, but maybe not an H4N) I know how it is in the US and it sounds great, but here is a whole different kettle of fish. I could book something and still not get it (gotta love that laid back Caribbean way), so I rely on doing my research online. I've made good decisions with my 60D and 50mm thus far.

Believe you me, if I could rent, that would be the first thing I'd do.

Couple that with an exchange rate where, I pay more already as it is for equipment, added on top of that what it costs to ship, bundled with a market that doesn't quite want to pay for the quality, but are very much aware of the quality they WANT, and yeah, it's a bit of an uphill battle.

So even with looking for things online, I much rather get input from real world usage, as opposed to reviews which may be too analytical.

Any advice on some other way to deal with the situation I am in would be greatly appreciated. :)
 


Mark,

What picture style do you use and also what do you do your color grading in?
I have been playing around with Magic Bullet looks 2 and I can't seem to get the color that I like. I love what Vinny from imperial has done with his colors.
 
Thanks for the contributions Mark.

One question of my own...how do you/your editor deal with syncing the footage in post? You mentioned labeling the cards, but how do you deal with the 12 minute clip length?

Thanks
 
JoeJITSU said:


Mark,

What picture style do you use and also what do you do your color grading in?
I have been playing around with Magic Bullet looks 2 and I can't seem to get the color that I like. I love what Vinny from imperial has done with his colors.
Click to expand...


Shooting with a picture style is dangerous since exposure has to be spot on, not to mention complications of dealing with multiple cameras and shooters all needing to be on the same Kelvin, etc.
 
thundermonkey said:
Shooting with a picture style is dangerous since exposure has to be spot on, not to mention complications of dealing with multiple cameras and shooters all needing to be on the same Kelvin, etc.
Click to expand...
Yes we do stay on the same Kelvin. I still like using the Marvels but have problems in post sometimes. I would love to do a Same Day Edit just like the video above. His colors are almost always spot on.
 
JoeJITSU said:


Mark,

What picture style do you use and also what do you do your color grading in?
I have been playing around with Magic Bullet looks 2 and I can't seem to get the color that I like. I love what Vinny from imperial has done with his colors.
Click to expand...

I use the following settings when shooting people...that sounds bad, when shooting on the wedding day.
Sharpness 0
Contrast -1
Saturations -1
Color Tone 0

I do not do a lot of color grading, but I just use the three way color correction in Edius. I have seen some cool stuff with Magic Bullet, but I have never experimented with it. Vinny's clip looks great.
 
Phil1076 said:
Thanks for the contributions Mark.

One question of my own...how do you/your editor deal with syncing the footage in post? You mentioned labeling the cards, but how do you deal with the 12 minute clip length?

Thanks
Click to expand...

You are welcome. I edit with Edius 5.5, which is not supported by Plural Eyes. If I used an NLE that was supported by Plural Eyes, I would certainly check into it. I have heard very good things about it. I sync everything manually. Since I have been editing for 16 years, it just feels like a natural part of the process of editing. I use a combination of visual and audible sync points.

If you are unable to use Plural Eyes, I would be happy to help you with suggestions on doing a manual sync.
 
Mark Von Lanken said:
I use the following settings when shooting people...that sounds bad, when shooting on the wedding day.
Sharpness 0
Contrast -1
Saturations -1
Color Tone 0

I do not do a lot of color grading, but I just use the three way color correction in Edius. I have seen some cool stuff with Magic Bullet, but I have never experimented with it. Vinny's clip looks great.
Click to expand...

Hey thanks for that.
I am planning on doing a Same Day Edit style...So I wouldn't have to play with too much colors. I am researching the picture style "Kodachrome 25" . I have been trying to get in contact with Vinny on his picture styles but when you shoot great films like him...He is fairly busy.
 
If anyone can get an answer from Vinny or know him and ask him what "picture style" he uses for his weddings and also what color correction he uses and so forth, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks
 
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