Reader Interview – Michal Kriesch
READER INTERVIEW
Beautiful work from Michal.
I interviewed Michal Kriesch of Michal Kriesch Studios (a Sydney Based Wedding Photographer with OVER 500 WEDDINGS under his belt) about his Wedding Photography Setup:
Me: What’s your typical wedding setup?
Michal: Nikon: D4 & D810 & DF (one of them stays in a car as backup depending how I feel that day – random) 14-24 2.8 24,35,50,85 1.4 Flashes Pocketwizards LEDs cards extra batteries etc
Fuji XP2 & XE2S both having Metabones Speedbooster Ultra attached to give me FF FOV and extra stop of light. Lenses all Minolta Rokkor 17/4 21/2.8 28/2 58/1.2 135/2 50/3.5 macro Flashes Pocketwizards LEDs etc
Last couple of months I’ve been shooting Fuji only, before then combo of both systems
I still have D810 w 14-24 & 85 in a bag (just in case)
All my stuff sits in car. I use utility belt with lens pouches when I’m shooting and only take w me what I need for that particular situation.
Me: How you finding the manual focus with the speed of weddings?
Michal: With a little bit of practise… Same as AF really but more accurate IMO. I used to shoot manual focus in the 90s when I started taking photos so there wasn’t much adjusting needed. Fuji focus peaking is great and super accurate.
Also I have all lenses fine tuned for infinity and distance on the speedbooster. So I pre focus a lot and nail it 90% at the time. I can now focus track couple walking towards me with 135mm at f2.8.
Me: Do you find the speedbooster degrades the quality of the image at all?
Michal: Not at all
Me: Does it actually increase the exposure or just give a shallower DOF?
Michal: It does increase exposure for nearly 1 stop. Maybe like 0.8 stop. Didn’t measure that. I think it’s the best thing ever. Having it on crop sensor getting same FF FOV and DOF plus gaining a stop of like on lenses.
Me: Sounds awesome. One last question, any advice for wedding photographers in regards to setup or general advice, you’d like to share?
Michal: Stay close to the action – hence my suggestion is 2 bodies w below 24mm lens and a 50 so like 21-50 or 17-50 whatever. Don’t be afraid to use of camera flash!!!! Light is important and creates 3D look. Ppl who go “available” light exclusive end up with flat images especially at reception. I rarely use on camera flash. If so it’s plugged into my PW mini and I have Nikon speed lights in 2-3 corners of the room.
One of Michal’s shots with off camera flash (One Flash behind one to the side)
Be sure to check out Michal’s work http://www.michalkriesch.com/
Thanks again for reading,
