Wedding pointers please

Alan McCormick · October 15th, 2003, 01:25 PM

As a week old owner of the XM2/GL2 I wonder if there is a good way to approach a wedding shoot I am doing on Saturday for some friends.

I am not happy with my manual focussing yet with speed at the mo, I guess that comes with years of hands on practice.

Would you recommend that I use the Auto (NOT green box) initially then change to Full manual for the close ups? I don't want to miss anything if I can.

I love the full manual control, it is a fresh breath of air compared to my last cam. The exposure settings etc are great but think I might be lagging behind if I play around too much.

I am chuffed with getting some results with "rack focus" albeit outdoors only thanks to some pointers I received from a fellow XM2 user on the forum so that is a definite use in the right circumstances (time permitting too).

I look forward to any help anyone can offer and thanks in advance.

John DeLuca · October 15th, 2003, 08:52 PM

Heres some general advice.......Jack your tripod up to get above peoples heads.....Grey card not white if theres enough light.....Always check for burnouts and under exposer in the whole area(move cam around area being taped to see for possible burnouts).....Move the cam around every so offten to not bore the people watching......Be very carefull of telephoto shake(cam shake increases as you zoom out) its hard to see on the little screen.........Beware of windows at afterparty fooling the cameras exposer. Stand behind them(back to window), or zoom in......... Always talk to the DJ before hand(or see if he suprises you by turning the lights off), and have him cue you atleast five mins before each scean.......That is the most general advice I can think of, if you have anymore questions feel free to ask.

John DeLuca Akron, Ohio

Alan McCormick · October 15th, 2003, 11:07 PM

Thanks John,

I like the ht of the tripod and the grey card comments , would not have thought of those. I need to get a decent tripod as I can see the shakes at normal ht when pressing buttons etc but will edit out later as I will let the Cam roll.

Thanks again,

Kelvin Kelm · October 16th, 2003, 08:39 AM

What does the grey card do for white balancing that is different than a white card or some of the warm(blue)/cool(pink) cards?

J. Clayton Stansberry · October 16th, 2003, 09:21 AM

Make sure you have enough battery power to last through the entire ceremony plus the reception!!! You will need enough battery power for the camera and for the light. Also, use a light with the camera, because you really don't know when you will need it and/or specific conditions due to weather or location. And, oh yes, watch out for windows, especially if you are using the light! Good luck.

Clay

Alan McCormick · October 16th, 2003, 10:37 AM

Thanks Clay,

I have pre-empted the batteries problem (2 x 945's + standard), also a spare battery for the light if needed, all charged and ready. I am using a minidisk recorder c/w microphone for the vows and also DM-50 so should get a choice for post editing audio.

The window flashing is a good point and one I may not have sussed till the review, too late then but will take your comments onboard.

Many thanks again.

John DeLuca · October 16th, 2003, 09:28 PM

A perfect neutral grey would be more accurate than white. It is a neutral color. Personally Ive gotten better color balance from using grey in well lit areas, however it doesnt seem to work in lower light. Correct me if im wrong, but thats the photographer side in me coming out.

John DeLuca Akron, Ohio

October 15th, 2003, 01:25 PM	#1
Alan McCormick Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chatham, UK Posts: 282	Pointers please - any advice welcome As a week old owner of the XM2/GL2 I wonder if there is a good way to approach a wedding shoot I am doing on Saturday for some friends. I am not happy with my manual focussing yet with speed at the mo, I guess that comes with years of hands on practice. Would you recommend that I use the Auto (NOT green box) initially then change to Full manual for the close ups? I don't want to miss anything if I can. I love the full manual control, it is a fresh breath of air compared to my last cam. The exposure settings etc are great but think I might be lagging behind if I play around too much. I am chuffed with getting some results with "rack focus" albeit outdoors only thanks to some pointers I received from a fellow XM2 user on the forum so that is a definite use in the right circumstances (time permitting too). I look forward to any help anyone can offer and thanks in advance. __________________ Alan McC

October 15th, 2003, 11:07 PM	#3
Alan McCormick Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chatham, UK Posts: 282	Thanks John, I like the ht of the tripod and the grey card comments , would not have thought of those. I need to get a decent tripod as I can see the shakes at normal ht when pressing buttons etc but will edit out later as I will let the Cam roll. Thanks again, __________________ Alan McC

October 16th, 2003, 09:21 AM	#5
J. Clayton Stansberry Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 316	More advice Make sure you have enough battery power to last through the entire ceremony plus the reception!!! You will need enough battery power for the camera and for the light. Also, use a light with the camera, because you really don't know when you will need it and/or specific conditions due to weather or location. And, oh yes, watch out for windows, especially if you are using the light! Good luck. Clay __________________ I understand everything about nothing.

October 16th, 2003, 10:37 AM	#6
Alan McCormick Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chatham, UK Posts: 282	Thanks Clay, I have pre-empted the batteries problem (2 x 945's + standard), also a spare battery for the light if needed, all charged and ready. I am using a minidisk recorder c/w microphone for the vows and also DM-50 so should get a choice for post editing audio. The window flashing is a good point and one I may not have sussed till the review, too late then but will take your comments onboard. Many thanks again. __________________ Alan McC

October 15th, 2003, 08:52 PM	#2
John DeLuca Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 496	Heres some general advice.......Jack your tripod up to get above peoples heads.....Grey card not white if theres enough light.....Always check for burnouts and under exposer in the whole area(move cam around area being taped to see for possible burnouts).....Move the cam around every so offten to not bore the people watching......Be very carefull of telephoto shake(cam shake increases as you zoom out) its hard to see on the little screen.........Beware of windows at afterparty fooling the cameras exposer. Stand behind them(back to window), or zoom in......... Always talk to the DJ before hand(or see if he suprises you by turning the lights off), and have him cue you atleast five mins before each scean.......That is the most general advice I can think of, if you have anymore questions feel free to ask. John DeLuca Akron, Ohio

October 16th, 2003, 08:39 AM	#4
Kelvin Kelm Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 49	What does the grey card do for white balancing that is different than a white card or some of the warm(blue)/cool(pink) cards?

October 16th, 2003, 09:28 PM	#7
John DeLuca Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 496	A perfect neutral grey would be more accurate than white. It is a neutral color. Personally Ive gotten better color balance from using grey in well lit areas, however it doesnt seem to work in lower light. Correct me if im wrong, but thats the photographer side in me coming out. John DeLuca Akron, Ohio