So how screwed am I

[Rancor]

They are like 25 years old, and there hosting a wedding in Puerto Rico on there own. I don't think they can pay for photography at all, let alone lens rentals at $1000 a piece. Remember, there's a reason I'M shooting it.

 

[erinag99]

I've rented a couple of time from lensrentals.com and have been quite happy with them. No deposit is required, but I don't know what their policy is in regards to taking a lens to PR.

 

[JWellman]

I feel your pain. I was recently put in a similar situation. I was scared shi*less. I kept hearing, "The bride is not hiring anyone (due to lack of money)" yada, yada. The couple had been married and split up for a year. They were getting remarried and I was told the whole affair was very casual...and it was. The bride wore sandles and the groom wore converse sneakers.

Unlike you, I only had nine days to read up and exactly ONE day to learn how to use a flash. What's worse, I had to drive 2 hours to get there and had absolutely no idea what the lighting was like. To make matters worse, the electric in the church was gone due to a power outage. The entire church (except the stage) was dark.

Even though I hammered away to my friend that I was an amateur I reiterated it even more when I got there, as it turned out they were happy with their snapshots but I thought many of them looked like crap.

Lessons learned:
I'm having a horrible time keeping people in the frame with the 85mm. I keep wanting to stand too close which cuts off body parts and also causes focus issues.

If I could do it again, I would have spent more time studying poses but I was cramming what little time I had into reading about the stupid flash!

I have absolutely NO IDEA how to make people look good in a group or even for single portraits. And despite the fact that I told everyone I had no idea what I was doing, they still looked to me for direction. I was constantly getting the look...Okay what's next? Where now? Stand here? or here? That was my most humiliating moment because I was clueless.

Besides the flash, which I agree is going to be your lifesaver, also dedicate a lot of time to posing people. Grab this book. It will help you so much. I wish I had time before the wedding to read the entire book but I only made it through the first few chapters.

Would I do the whole thing again? Ummm... no! Unless I had several months to study. Would I tag along with a pro and watch what they do? Most definitely!

Best of luck to you and if you would like to see the crappy photos I ended up with, they are the last article on my blog (in my sig line). OHHH! and I forgot to mention, the bride had surgery a week before the service. Every single photo had to be edited to cut out the scar. I did a horrible, horrible job with that. :meh:

 

[Lee_Maryland]

worry about the lense later, you NEED a flash for sure. And tell your friends that you have limited funds, so you can't afford to rent/buy the lense needed for the shoot. But also tell them, you will do your best and I am sure they will understand.

 

[Rancor]

LensRentals.com seems like a great idea, other than the whole you brake/lose the lens you owe $2500

 

[JWellman]

They are like 25 years old, and there hosting a wedding in Puerto Rico on there own. I don't think they can pay for photography at all, let alone lens rentals at $1000 a piece. Remember, there's a reason I'M shooting it.

Sorry Rancor... I was posting about my experience when everyone else was helping you about rentals. I just wanted to add that Best Buy and Dell are a lot steeper in prices but it's the only way I can get camera equipment....mainly because I'm too impatient to save up the cash.

What I like about them is their 6 month and 12 month free financing. Dell will not let you finance lenses (normally) and will only let you do computers. Since I have bought so many computers I told them, "I'll buy the lens but only if you give me free financing." I recieved an automatic, "No" so I told them I was going through Best Buy. (Best Buy didn't even have the lens but they didn't need to know that part :greenpbl They put me through to customer service and sold me the lens on 12 months.

 

[Josh66]

Don't break/lose it then. :lmao: I would check if there's a shop at the destination that does rentals - might save you some money.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Well.. its kinda like owning the equipment. I could easily slip, fall and break it. It seems like you have made your mind. If she is trully your gf's best friend, then they shouldnt break your bank especially if you have to fly there already and have fun. Just tell them the photos will not look like professional photos, it will be more like a point and shoot camera photos (slightly better). Ask her other friends to take pics with their cameras too. Learn as much as possible with the limited equipment. But like others suggested try your best to get a flash and learn how to use it.

 

[erinag99]

LensRentals.com seems like a great idea, other than the whole you brake/lose the lens you owe $2500

Look at their Damage Waiver option. Cost is minimal and covers most cases of damage. Doesn't cover loss. Take a look at their FAQ section on Damage Insurance: http://www.lensrentals.com/page/faq#rental-insurance

 

[ghache]

its time to do your homework! and have a really long painfull first wedding. i did it and it was painfull lol my neck was sore from carrying that damn 24-70 attached to my camera + sb-900

 

[JWellman]

Best of luck to you and if you would like to see the crappy photos I ended up with, they are the last article on my blog (in my sig line). OHHH! and I forgot to mention, the bride had surgery a week before the service. Every single photo had to be edited to cut out the scar. I did a horrible, horrible job with that. :meh:

Sorry Rancor, I have no idea what happened to my flash galleries. I reset the XML and they appear to be working now.

 

[Ginu]

I think you will be fine as long as the girl knows your capabilities and you have enough time to read up on weddings and perhaps pick up some equipment (flash) and perhaps a rented lens.

Good luck

 

[mjhoward]

Buy a bulk pack of disposable cameras and hand 'em out.

 

[Rancor]

I will definitely pick up a 580 EX II, as that is something my kit needs with out question, even if I weren't doing this wedding. Assuming the proper lens for a wedding is a $2000 lens, I will be renting one if I feel it is necessary. A 70-200mm f/2.4 L IS II is only $120 for the 4 days I would need it, and that includes to/from shipping and insurance, and there is no deposit required.

So come the time of the wedding I should have this to offer:

Canon EOS Rebel XS (2 batteries, 2 8GB class 10 cards)
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-f/5.6 IS II
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Canon 580 EX II Speedlight (2 sets of rechargeable batteries and the charger, and some DIY reflectors)
Mid-Level Tripod
Some sort of gear bag
Plenty of research knowledge on weddings, posing, etc...
and maybe a 70-200mm f/2.4 L IS II if I want to spring the $120 for the rental.

 

[ghache]

I will definitely pick up a 580 EX II, as that is something my kit needs with out question, even if I weren't doing this wedding. Assuming the proper lens for a wedding is a $2000 lens, I will be renting one if I feel it is necessary. A 70-200mm f/2.4 L IS II is only $120 for the 4 days I would need it, and that includes to/from shipping and insurance, and there is no deposit required.

So come the time of the wedding I should have this to offer:

Canon EOS Rebel XS (2 batteries, 2 8GB class 10 cards)
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-f/5.6 IS II
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Canon 580 EX II Speedlight (2 sets of rechargeable batteries and the charger, and some DIY reflectors)
Mid-Level Tripod
Some sort of gear bag
Plenty of research knowledge on weddings, posing, etc...
and maybe a 70-200mm f/2.4 L IS II if I want to spring the $120 for the rental.

with the lens you have, from personal experience, if i had to choose between the 24-70 and the 70-200 for a wedding. i would take de 24-70.