Advice on christening

[justalex81]

My kit lense rarely gets used. I'm either using a 30mm prime or my 50-200.

[T_J_G]

nope, not getting paid for it that's why I don't really want to buy/rent purely for this.

might look into doing it as a small business on the side in a year or two but at the moment its just because its one of my mates sons christenings, im already going to be there and his uncle is, both into photography so he asked us both to get some shots.

That's a lot of responsibility for no gain.

Make sure you take 2 bodies (one as a backup) plenty of memory cards.

You want atleast f2.8 lenses and a body that can shoot nicely at ~ISO 1600. So probably a full frame offering. I would also take a reliable laptop for backing up.

[mcgee9t2]

My very first shoot was using an 18-55mm with IS and the only thing I came away thinking was I need a flash.

yes i do need a flash, saw one in a local shop last week, second hand but looked in good condition, came with a years money back guarrentee if it fails under normal wear and tear etc. was pretty cheep. cant remember exact model but i remember reading reviews on it when i got home and seemed good so thinking of getting that as it was only cheep, obviously couldnt use the flash in the service though so would be more for the get togeather after.

[DubFan]

Flash is a must for dark party situations, unless you have a body that can cope with ISO 1600 + with minimal noise and a lens that goes wider than f2.8.

Here's an example, taking in the same setting, of the same person actually.

With flash and kit lens: ISO 400, 1/60th, f5.6 @40mm

Untitled by AlistairBeavis, on Flickr


Without flash, 50mm prime lens: ISO 3200, 1/25th, f2.2

Absorbed by AlistairBeavis, on Flickr

As you can see, the one without flash is soft and has an orangy hue to it (down to the ambient light in the restaurant). If you want to capture expressions and movement in such a setting, you really need a flash.

Seriously, you should spend a little money so you can do justice to the event. I certainly wouldn't want to do a wedding with just a kit lens and a 50mm.
But you don't have to spend a lot.
My flash is a Sigma EF530 DG ST and cost me £40 from ebay.
The shots above were taken before I got my 18-50mm f2.8, hence I was stuck with the kit lens.
My Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 only cost me £100 (s/h obviously) but it's a great lens for the money.

[T_J_G]

So have you got backup gear? What happens if your camera breaks? What if it suffers liquid damage?

You'd also want to scope out the venues, work out what group shots B&G.

You sound like a braver person that myself!

[mcgee9t2]

as for back up camera etc, he isnt that bothered about it, as far as hes concerend i could take 2 photos all day, he has a few people that are all into photography chipping in.

its more of a favor to him as im already going to the christening that i take my camera along and see if i get any good shots, rather than a proper job where i have to get good shots.

this is the reason i dont want to rent a lense, i may invest in a flash gun for the after party dependning on if i have time to go to town on saturday.