Wedding Equipment

From ResonantWiki

Skip Middleton's wedding equipment advice

It's a good thing you're sitting down already, because the cost of equipment
might knock you off of your feet.  We have found, for the best, most
consistent results, that the Canon flashes don't do the job, nor do Sigma,
Sunpak, etc.  E-TTL II is the culprit, not only with your 300D, but with our
20Ds.  The best flashes we've found for the job are Quantum T4d, with Turbo
battery packs.  The combination runs just a tick under $1000.  Each.  And
you need at least 2 battery packs for each flash, at $500 more, per.  The
bright spot in this is, if you live in a metropolitan area, these things are
often available for rent, for about $25 a day.

And, when Canongirly said, "Oh and yes GET THE DAMN FLASH OFF THE
CAMERA..jeez." she meant you need to buy a flash bracket to lift the flash
off of the camera's hot shoe.  The best one we've found, at least for the
price, is the Stroboframe Pro-T, which will pivot the flash to keep it over
the lens when you switch from horizontal to vertical orientation.  About
$100.  This one is the least expensive one that doesn't put the controls in
an awkward position when the camera is held vertically, unlike the
~FlipFrame, which will put the shutter button at the bottom, or cover the
controls on the grip, if you have one.

Also, f2.8 lenses are a necessity, something we've learned by experience.
We didn't think so, at first, but we found out.  We've also found that zooms
are better than fixed focal length lenses in practical use, counter to what
many have said.

Our equipment list for a wedding is as follows:
Canon 20D (2)
Canon D30 (1) backup
Oly E-10 (1) backup
Canon 1n (1) in case we feel a need for film
Canon 16-35 f2.8 L (1)
Sigma 17-35 f2.8-4 (1) backup
Canon 24-70 f2.8 L (2)
Tokina 28-70 f2.6-2.8 (1) backup
Canon 28-135 IS (2) 'cause ya never know, and for backup cameras.
50mm f1.8 (1) (soon to be replaced by an f1.4)  need for speed
Quantum T4d flash (2)
Quantum Turbo battery (4)
Canon 420EX (1) backup
BP 511 batteries (4) spares
Reflectors
Ladder (works great for group shots.)
Assorted screwdrivers, pliers, electrical cords, etc.

And we sometimes carry two battery powered, portable 300w/s studio strobes
and portable backdrop stand with a couple of cloth backdrops, depending on
the venue and the job.