My event/wedding setup.
I have been asked on occasion what setup I’d use for event shooting or a wedding.
I’m currently mainly an event shooter, though I do plan to shoot more weddings in the future.
Since I’m currently between systems slightly, I’m going to talk about what I PLAN to use in the future.
When I shoot events, I often look for smiling people to capture the fun of the event.
I always shoot with two bodies.
I plan to use the Fuji X-pro2 and X-T2* as my two body setup in the future, with the possibility of picking up another X-T2 (talking in the future). I find two bodies to allow me to quickly change focal lengths without messing about changing lenses. ALSO, it gives me a backup camera in case something goes wrong with one of them. Always be prepared.
*Note: At the time of writing, the X-T2 hasn’t even been officially announced yet , but all the rumours point to it coming soon. (It’s since been announced)
X-Pro 2 is a lovely and stealthy camera.
Lenses: Zoom for flexibility, Primes for low light/shallow DOF
As for lenses, I’d use mainly the following: 16-55 2.8 and 50-140. Mostly the 50-140 would be used as I like to keep my distance from subjects to capture candid moments without disturbing them or the event.
The last thing you want to do is disturb the speaker.
The 16-55 2.8 is a workhorse lens that is very flexible. It should be wide enough for group shots, any wider I’d get too much distortion on the sides. If I can’t fit everyone in, I rearrange them or get them to move in closer.
Weddings, always the sunset of… something.
For indoors/low light, I’d have a 23mm 1.4/56 1.2 combo. I love the old 35mm/85mm combo for FF. So this makes the most sense for me. Other than that I’d have an UWA (10-24 maybe, or 14, or Samyang 12mm, take your pick, some might even choose the 16mm as it can be a pseudo macro, personally I’ll go with the Samyang 12mm and upgrade to the rumoured Fuji 8-16 if that ever comes out) and FOR ME, I’d include my 90mm in the bag, sometimes you want a nice tight headshot and for that sort of thing, the 90mm can’t be beat. ALSO the 90mm focuses sorta close and can be used as a pseudo macro lens.
I once shot an ex-vice president. I didn’t even get arrested.
I personally don’t use flash. I can use it fine, but I find it can hinder capturing the moment and put the subjects on edge. I’m not against using strobes/flashes when needed though. Little tip for flash use, bounce it off a nearby wall instead of off a ceiling, the results will be better.
Summary
I shoot (plan to shoot) with the following:
X-Pro 2 and X-T2 (possibly two X-T2 in the future)
16-55 2.8 and 50-140 2.8 (one on each body)
or
23 1.4 and 56 1.2 (one on each body)
With Samyang 12mm for UWA (upgrading to future Fuji 8-16 if it ever comes out) and 90mm f/2 for specialty shots.
(Note: Since writing this I’ve been very tempted by the 10-24 f/4 OIS and the 16 1.4, still not sure what path to take)
Note, I haven’t mentioned a macro lens. A lot of wedding/event photographers use them for shots of place settings/rings etc. I’ve found I’ve never really needed one, despite owning 2 or 3 throughout the years. Of course you might be the type that uses macro lenses all the time, everyone is slightly different. To me the 90mm focuses close enough to be a pseudo macro anyway.
Thanks again for reading,
