Jim said: "My standard equipment for a wedding are two Leica M2's, a Pentax LX (or PZ1-p) and a 645 Pentax (for formal poses) Lenses are a 35mm Summicron f2 for the Leicas, a 40mm and 105 for the Pentax LX, and the 75 or 55 Pentax 645 lenses. Strobes are the Sunpak 444, 280T (backup), and the 400T with the 645."
OMG!! Are you crazy man?!?! FOUR bodies INCLUDING a medium format?!?! How the heck do you carry the stuff around with you?!? When shooting film, I take three bodies, one stays in the car as a backup, one is loaded with colour (neg) film, and the other with bw. The FA 50mm f1.7 stays on the black and white body at all times - it is perfect for a PJ perspective - light to carry and easy to access for those "grab" shots, fast enough to not need a huge flash attached to it. Usually, my MZ-6 is my black and white camera. I always use Kodak T400cn for my "black and white" film. Then, I have a PZ-20 for the bulk of the work, which I load with Fuji NPC 160 or NPH400 if I need more light. I generally leave a good zoom on this lens, and I have been loving the results I have been getting with the FA 28-105mm f4-5.6 (a bit slow but nice and sharp). It has the psuedo macro function which comes in really handy for shots of the rings etc. I have a Tamron manual lens 135mm f2.5 that I LUUUURVE and that I use for bridal portraits etc (BEEE-U-TEE-FUL bokeh). I also take along all of my other lenses, but they almost always stay in the car unless I have something special to use them for. For group shots, I ALWAYS use the FA 50mm f1.7, gives the best results, don't have to move too far away so get good flash coverage, but it still fits everyone in without any distortion and is also quite flattering too... Jens said: "And - I would use a rangefinder with a silent shuitter..." Honestly, I am totally over the need for "quiet" during weddings. I even use my little focus confirmation beep on all of my bodies. People EXPECT to have photography at weddings now, and a little click from a shutter is much less distracting then the 2 year old in the front row chucking a huge tantrum cause he wants to play with the candles... As long as you aren't climbing on the altar and throwing stuff around, and exercise a bit of discretion, most priests/churches are pretty accomodating and the guests never notice the difference... Jim also said: "During the ceremony I never use flash, even if the minister says its OK. I will have my LX on a tripod. I do use a flash during the procession down the aisle at the start and also the procession at the end." I use flash if necessary, again for the same reason that I mentioned above. People EXPECT it, so there is really no need to try and hide it. Of course, if the light is right, nothing looks or sets the mood better than images with candle and ambient light bouncing around. Flash most definitely can detract from this, but sometimes it is just necessary... Oh, btw, never used a monopod, but you just CAN'T underestimate the value of a tripod. Especially for after sunset after sunset, available light shots, which are my absolute favourite thing to do... tan.
