christopher_carille

Eric ~ I agree with you completely and plan on doing so. I have used both before and they are fairly inexpensive to rent for a day

(which is all I need them for).

Overall, after all the discussion, I have decided to stick with buying the 14-24....it will provide much more use to me outside of the

wedding. I will focus on the wedding for the days that need be and then be back to my preferred work/shooting.

Thanks again everyone for the help. The advice has been helpful and hopefully will translate in the shots taken.

<p>I greatly appreciate EVERYONE'S advice! Its pretty easy to see, after reading every response, that the 24-70mm would be the ideal lens choice for the wedding. Now I am left with a dilemma...I have yet to buy the 14-24mm, so there is the option of buying the 24-70mm before the wedding. I believe I'll have to rent both the 14-24 and the 24-70 to determine the final decision of which to buy. I do agree that the 24-70 would be a great portrait lens and ideal for the wedding/ceremony situation, but I will also be traveling to Belize and Honduras the next couple months and the 14-24 would be ideal for shooting the Mayan ruins, but after hearing the responses about the 24-70 that may have to be put on hold.<br>

I also am really glad to hear that I should discuss my limitations as to mobility around the alter, with the priest and not just the bride and groom. I had no idea that he/she would have a say. I'm sure the wedding I'll be attending in August will be more lenient as it will not be a religious wedding...I know I said "priest" above but I was unsure what to call the person at the alter.<br>

Jack ~ I think I may also look into renting a D300 for the day, as that would also make life a little easier.<br>

Ilkka ~ I know that jumping into wedding photography is probably the least forgiving field to start at, but I am just trying to do a couple a favor that otherwise would have no photos taken due to price. I am very humble, and know that I won't produce the same quality as a professional, and have told the bride and groom... but I do plan to take all the advice I can get and go into the wedding with a plan and flexibility to adjust...remember everyone starts out as an amateur, its the ones willing to take the risk and to work towards improving that eventually end up successful! :-)</p>

<p>Once again...THANK YOU ALL soooo much. Hopefully I will succeed in applying the advice given and produce some great shots for the couple. If so I'll have some nice posts in a couple months...or I'll be giving them my camera as a wedding gift! ;-)</p>

<p>Hi Everyone!<br>

I know the first answer I'll get is "Don't shoot weddings!" or "Leave it to professionals," but I am going to be doing a huge favor for a couple friends of mine by shooting their wedding in August. I've taken some advice already and am having them create a shot-list and assign members from each side of the family to corral people, and I will do a walk-around of the inn that the wedding is taking place at, with the bride and groom. I also will be bringing an assistant along to help with lens changes and set-ups, and will have scouted outdoors photo situations and an indoors alternative. Furthermore, there will be two other friends of the family (one from groom's and one from bride's) there that will be taking photos as back-up. <br>

So I have a couple questions...First, I will be using a D700 and I have a few lens choices. I would like to know what suggestions people have for a walk around out of the following: All Nikon, AF-S VR Micro 105mm f/2.8, 50 f/1.4 D, AF-S VR 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 G, and the AF-S 14-24 f/2.8<br>

Second, any suggestions as to where I should stand during the exchanging of vows? I ask because the last wedding I was at had the photographer set-up behind the priest photographing out. (I do plan to discuss more with the bride and groom)<br>

And lastly, since I normally am a nature photographer that shoots while on backpacking trips...any other suggestions outside of what has been mentioned already? Thank you in advance for any advice, I really do appreciate any help. </p>