AboutJohn and Chris Expertise We are both professional photographers, with over 15 years experience. We can answer questions about photography, as well as questions about cameras from the 60s to 90s. (extensive 35mm, quite a bit of other formats.) Please, no darkroom questions.
Expert: John and Chris Date: 8/28/2004 Subject: favorite camera apertures and lenses for wedding photos
Question I'm a beginner. I'll by attending a 5pm wedding next week-end. It will be both outdoors and under tents. I have a SLR Canon A-1 with a standard lens , a 17mm lens and a 35-105 and also an 80-200.I'd like know what the pro favors in lens choice and aperture. What about use of flash?Film choices are Kodak portra 400 B/W and Fugi 400 NPN. In general should I lean towards wide-open apertures for that time of day? I live close to Toronto Canada.
Answer Jacqueline,
I doubt you'll find much use for the 17mm lens. You may like the standard because it is brighter than the zooms. But you'll find the zooms offer more flexibility. The 80-200 would usually be used most during the ceremony.... unless you can get real close and the 35-105 would be great for candids during the reception and formals.
There really is no "favorite" aperture. You'll probably find that you'll be wide open because you have to be to get enough light. Anyway, unless you are on a tripod, you should be more concerned with getting a shutter-speed that allows you to hand hold the camera. And you'll obviously choose your aperture based on your shutter-speed.
About flash.... well I avoid it if I can but during a wedding you'll probably use it the whole time.
