What would you do?

[Tigger]

Hi all,

I am looking at possibly upgrading some of my kit, have taken on
a wedding in October too so I'd like some better quality glass by then

I currently have;

2x Nikon D90's
2x MB-D80 grip
10x batteries
4 Sandisk eXtreme III cards

SB600
SB900

Nikon 10.5mm f2.8
Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 DC HSM
Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5 Macro HSM
Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 Macro EX DG
Nikon 50mm f1.8
Nikon 50mm f1.4 AF
Nikkor 60mm Micro f2.8
Sigma 70-300mm APO DG
Nikon 70-300mm VR

Also have a UV filter on all the lenses and a bunch of
other filters (all screw fit)

I would like a longer zoom lens for birds
and airshow shots, and maybe the odd bit of sports photography

In bold are the items I think are best to move on, what would you do?

 

[Matt_90]

All looks well.. I would go for 35mm f1.8 not 50mm and maybe a good teleconvter for the 70-300 for a bit of extra reach if needed.

 

[Tigger]

Think I'm done with getting primes lol

Would a converter on a 70-300 not make it VERY slow?

 

[SamP]

Mmm, depends what you want in the long run tbh. I've gone down the zoom route of a wide/mid range/70 - 200. Tbh I wish I'd gone for a 24 1.4/50 1.2/135 2 now, but thats life.

 

[Tigger]

Something good & fast for the likes of Weddings and the extra reach for wildlife/birds (not in the same shoot though)

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

To me, a body with amazing high ISO performance is a MUST!!

So I say get a D700 lol! Probably impractical.....but as you don't have uber expensive fast glass, you may struggle in a lot of cases.

Get rid of the 50mm 1.8 if you have the 1.4. I can't imagine the 70-300 being amazing optically either. How c0me you have two?!

Get rid of all the UV filters....waste of time. Just look after your gear better. I can't imagine any situation where you'll get scratches, and if you drop the camera, they'll do f**k all too.

Do you really need the fisheye lens? I can't imagine anyone using that at a wedding for sure! Very niche lens.

Sorry to sound snobby, but for wedding photography, you really do need s**t hot gear! And a D90 won't cut it for a lot of situations.

 

[capturedbyjames]

I agree a lot with what Dan said. I've done a few weddings, and roll with:

Nikon d700
Nikon d300
Nikon 16-35mm f4
Nikon 24-70mm f2.8
Nikon 70-200mm f2.8
Nikon 1.7x Teleconverter
Nikon 50mm f1.8
Nikon SB900 Flash
Nikon SB600 Flash
Hahnel battery grip

I usually stick the 24-70 on the D700, and the 70-200 on the D300.

Weddings go s**t loads faster than you expect, and you will rarely have a chance to change lenses. I tend to carry a load of cards too, and switch them around lots. Then if one goes bang, you wont miss too much.

Hope that gives you something to go on...

 

[Tigger]

Dan - an inspiration to say the least as I'd give an organ to have the gear you roll with lol or even the skill

I hear what you're saying I'm doing a "small wedding" in October for a friend but meanwhile I'm looking into what "s**t hot gear" to go for before I start taking on more of them and getting into it seriously.
It's my 2nd Wedding - first went well too thankfully

Hope buying a 2nd D90 a few weeks ago hasn't been a bad move in the long run lol but I get my use out of it in the nightclub.

 

[SamP]

If you're only going to buy one thing, buy a 2.8 70 - 200 imo. You'll get so much use out of one, maybe not so much in a club due to infernal smoke machines but for everything else they're fantastic.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

A 70-200mm 2.8 is a fantastic lens. Pretty much every wedding tog will have one of those. I could almost do a wedding with just a 24-70 and 70-200. That's also an essential lens as at 200mm you can be out of the way but still close to the action. If you get a VR version, that is amazing in low light situations.

 

[Revels]

Weddings go s**t loads faster than you expect, and you will rarely have a chance to change lenses. I tend to carry a load of cards too, and switch them around lots. Then if one goes bang, you wont miss too much.

100%

You have absolutely no chance in changing lenses. All you do is miss something.

Two bodies is probably the most important thing.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

At my last wedding the only chance I got to change lenses was at the brides house, where everything was at a slow pace as they were all getting ready.....and during dinner after the wedding itself. (where I don't normally take photos). Apart from that, you are on it 100% of the time.

 

[Tigger]

That's the reason why I'd like to make sure I have quality glass at hand for the job

 

[capturedbyjames]

24-70, 70-200, and maybe something wide for group shots if needs be. All f2.8 and you're laughing....

 

[Tigger]

Laughing all the way TO the bank lol

 

[Brazo]

I have to say I was surprised at the comments that you won't have time to change lenses and I mentioned this to a friend who has done some weddings and he agrees with you guys that you won't have time to change lenses!

Surely though if you have time to take a leak (which you will need to do at some stage!) a fast lens change isn't out of the question!

 

[capturedbyjames]

Time to have a wee? No chance....

The only break I've ever got was when the reception are having their nosh. I spent this time copying and reviewing photos!

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Go for a wee!!! No chance!

There's so much to think about, you forget you need the toilet.

To give you an idea of how 'on it' you are at a wedding, at my first, which was Jay's.....I was ill for a few days after from dehydration.....seriously! It was a stupidly hot day, and I didn't drink a thing all day. The thought just didn't cross my mind to drink or do anything else.

I love doing them and hate them at the same time.

 

[capturedbyjames]

I had to stop in a lay-by for a piss on the way home from my first one. Precisely that, the thought didn't even cross my mind!!

 

[Tigger]

Got a lend of a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 that a mate is selling - FAIL! Dam lens wont autofocus at all on either body so I think to hell with the 3rd party

Where's the cheapest place to pick up a Nikon 70-200 f2.8?

 

[SamP]

http://www.camerapricebuster.com/

 

[capturedbyjames]

Yeah, my sigma 70-200 used to do that. The nikon 70-200 is far, far, far, far better.

 

[Tigger]

Anyone know if Jessops do any discount in-store if you were making a "big purchase" ?

Heard of people getting a chunk knocked off with them before not sure if it was praise or waffle though

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

What do you define as a big purchase?

 

[Tigger]

24-70 & 70-200 2.8's lol

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

I bought my 70-200mm from jessops. Of course they didn't offer any sort of discount, and I certainly didn't ask.

If you don't ask you don't get. But I'd be surprised if they five you any discount.

 

[SamP]

Go through Kerso and you'll effectively get 10% off...?

 

[Brazo]

I got 5% off a lens purchase recently in jessops as it was a price match. In all honesty I would rather pay over the odds and get to try the end first than have to faff about trying to return a poor copy of a lens.

 

[Tigger]

I'll see what I can come up with - most of the other lenses are gone now