Wedding with Nikon F

<p>Of course you can. My grandfather did weddings with a 10x8. He was very good at ordering people around so they filled the frame the way he wanted. I wouldn't want to be doing it now because you are somehow expected to get your shots by stealth.<br>

The picture here was taken in 1922 with a 10x8 Kodak studio camera. The smaller of the two bridesmaids was my mother.</p><div></div>

<p >Stephen:</p>

<p >Now you know why I wanted to use Large Format for the Altar Picture. There are no words to describe that picture. We know there is no match for a View Camera I would have an 8x10 in a minute my ceiling isn’t tall enough for an 8x10 Enlarger, great picture.</p>

<p>Heidi, the best advice you have received so far:<br>

Shoot Kodak Portra 800. Do not push 160 or 400.<br>

800 speed films look great now, there is no need to push a slower film. Both Kodak's Portra 800 and Fuji's Superia 800 look like more like a 400 speed film from 20 years ago.<br>

As you say, you only get one chance at a wedding. Having an honest extra stop in film speed means the difference between sharp and blurry in a dim chapel.</p>

<p>Heidi, what do the Bride & Groom expect ? Do they want an informal coverage ie, photo-journalist style or a more formal style ? The Nikon F will be fine, the 1/60th flash sych. can be a bit of a problem with figity people, so consider taking along a Nikkormat for use with flash, or you could use a Hasselblad, a lot more managable than 4x5. I used Metz 45,402 & 60ct4 flash guns, always two cameras & flashes. Usually one film, Fuji NPH or Kodak Portra 400, maybe a roll or two of CN400 or XP2. For lenses, I mostly used, a 50mm F/2, 85mmF/1.8 and a 24mmF/2.8 for table and wide interior shots, with my Hasselblad I mostly used the 80mm F/2.8 and 150mmF/4. Take a tripod and use it, mum & dad will want a nice 3/4 or full lenght portrait for the bedside table. I operate on the KISS principle, keep it simple sunshine, weddings are stressfull enough, without wondering which camera has what film in it, check and recheck your gear,take plenty of batteries and film, if using a Hasselblad,always wind on before changing lenses. But most importantly, draw up a contract and get paid FIRST, if only too cover your costs, I`ve seen far too many albums sitting on the shelf awaiting payment. Jump in and be prepared for anything, weddings are like a weeks fashion shoot compressed into one day, good luck and keep smiling, no matter what.</p>

<p>heidi, i don't know why you equate mistakes with fast film and no flash. </p>

<p>alan brings up a good poing--what do the bride and groom expect in terms of style? you seem to have your own style and i have offered an alternative but instead of referring to my suggestion as such, you seem to be saying it's 'bad.'</p>

<p>anyway, i know that wasn't really a main part of your topic so i'm going to leave it alone. i just didn't think it would require this much discussion.</p>