Your Opinions on the following....

Hello everyone:

 

First, I'd like to say a big 'Thanks' to all of you posters out there, your questions and responses make for

great info and entertainment. It's great to go to a site where people are able to 'agree to disagree' on the

varied subjects in the field of photography. And I get to learn something along the way, if only that I've got a

lot more to learn.

 

Anyways, My main question is this: I'm planning on taking pictures at a family wedding (no, I'm not the official

photographer, just an amateur) and am using a Pentax SLR. My choices of film are either Fuji ISO 200 or Fuji ISO

400. Which would be the better film? The Church is somewhat dimly lit but that's only based on one visit. It

has beautiful glass on the windows and is very tall inside (tall enough to have a set of 'naves' on either side

of the altar).

 

My selection of lenses are a 35-105mm-f3.5 SMC-A, 300mm-f/4 SMC-A*, 28mm-f2.8 SMC-A. I also have a 2x Pentax

doubler and I'm using a dedicated Pentax flash with my SLR.

 

So, your opinions/suggestions would be appreciated.

 

And Thank you all again.

400. perhaps 800 or even 1600.

 

A church is dark and you have slow lenses. You will either need quite fast film, or push your film a stop or so if its too dark.

 

Good luck and dont use your flash too much. With you and the official guy it could get quite annoying.

Why are those the only two films you can use? You also don't say whether you're expecting to do available light photographs or you're going to use the flash for all of the work. My choice would be Portra 800.

Second the choice...Portra 800. Even if you underexpose by one stop, you will still get good prints.

Since you're not the official photographer, may I suggest this. Shoot Kodak's T-MAX 400 or T-MAX 3200 black & white film without a

flash. Shoot TMAX 400 at 800 or the 3200 at 1600. That way you won't interfere with the official photographer. Also with B&W film, you

won't have to worry about shooting Color Film balanced for Daylight under Tungsten lighting.

B&W is fine, but if you want color, use negative film. ISO 400 is a good compromise between grain and sensitivity, and is my first choice for "people" pictures, hand-held with or without flash. I like Fuji NPH400. Fuji NPZ800 has reasonably low grain and good color, but is a little contrasty - a great sports film but not so complimentary for social events.

 

Negative film has enough latitude to handle tungsten light without a filter. Slide film is too fussy for event photography, let alone a beginner.

Hi again:

 

Thanks for the responses so far. As for what I'm trying to do, I'm trying to capture images throughout the

ceremony and then afterwards at the reception. Pictures are to be in colour, hence the indicated film speeds. I

might do some in B&W but depends on situation. I will be using a flash throughout (unless minister forbids it

during the ceremony) and if the weather holds the family will want to get outdoor photos. The Church itself is

limited in space for outdoor shots so I suspect family group shots will be held elsewhere.

 

As for Portra 800, I'm not familiar with that film. Past experience with high speed film is mixed at best, too

grainy for my liking, bu to be fair that was with Kodak's ISO 1000. And yes, I have no desire to annoy the

official photographer, she's the groom's aunt and a very good one from what little I've seen. I intend to speak

with her to make sure that I don't get in the way of her work. And yes, from past experience the multitude of

flashes from various P&S cameras is very annoying.

 

I've never 'pushed' film before so I don't want to start experimenting at a wedding. But I should start learning.

 

Regardless, all of your opinions/advice is appreciated.

When I was in college and an amateur photographer, a fellow student asked me to shoot his wedding. Little did I know that I was to be the official photographer. It was an outdoor wedding and I wandered around getting action shots. Be wary and sure of your role in this position!