When you purchase something on eBay, NEVER pay for it by allowing Paypal to withdraw from your bank account. I've never had a problem, because I simply won't do it, but I'm sure that if you get ripped off on a transaction where you paid that way, Paypal would never, ever return the funds. They go out of their way to try to make you think it's the "safest" way to pay for an item, and that's a crock of horse droppings. The only plausible reason for their rather strong urging is that THEY don't want to get stuck with chargebacks from credit cards when the customer gets ripped off (it must happen a lot for them to be so pushy about using bank withdrawals). Yes, it's the safest way to pay. Safest for Paypal that is.

I going to refrain from adding any more to this discussion because I don't want the thread to get any more off topic than it already is. d:-)

Yeah, you're right.

I'm thinking that having a runner handy in the trunk might be a good idea. Probably wouldn't have worked for shooting that dance, but it might come in handy sometime.

Did you try using OIS? I'm wondering if that would help, or would it hork more than help?

No I didn't try it, I didn't see the shake in post, only felt it on my rolls

Am I the only one that thinks this is a recipe for disaster?
 

So...

You've never done this before, it's going to be a one camera shoot, and you're THE FATHER OF THE BRIDE????

I don't think the experienced wedding videographers on this board would be able to pull this off well. You're going to be busy with a thousand different family things (not the least of which is actually interacting with your daughter and being a part of the memory, and not just the recorder of her day).

At the very least I would rapidly train someone else to be the "primary" cameraman for the shoot, and relegate yourself to assisting with a second cam when time is available. I mean, who's going to record you walking your daughter down the aisle?

Oh, and I would definitely beg, borrow, or rent a second cam. When you're not running it, put it on a tripod for a safety shot.

Joe, I couldn't agree more. My brother-in-law got married last summer and, of course, it fell to me to handle the videography. I used 3 cameras for the ceremony, all stationary, and it turned out pretty good. BUT, I had 3 cameras and quite a bit of experience with wedding videography. The whole day was a major pain because I was constantly torn between wedding duties and videography duties.

The worst part is that we missed a lot of things . . . like the ring bearer falling asleep up front before he presented the rings . . . and the flower girl getting bored and mooning the audience repeatedly . . . and other things. My brother-in-law had literally no money, so he had no choice. To anyone with the money to make a choice, do yourself a favor and hire a professional. You only get one shot at that day, and doing it yourself should only be a last resort.

And like Joe said, as the father of the bride, you will have other responsibilities as well as a desire to just enjoy the experience.

My opinion.

I've married off 1 girl and 2 boys. The 1st (my daughter) I set up 2 cams for the ceremony and had a friend handle the reception-YUCK! of course this was 10 years ago but I learned my lesson. When boy#2 got married about 3 years ago I hired a good friend of mine who I knew shot and edited in a style similar to mine-he did a great job and frankly I felt just fine with paying his rate as I told him to treat me as he would any other client. When boy #1 got married a couple of months later (they didn't get maried in order of age) it was a very small immediate family only type wedding and I got the procession then set up on a tripod in the balconey of the church with cam 2 on the altar (this was done with the permission and by direction of the pastor of the church). It worked out OK nothing to shout about but decent.

IF and WHEN my dog ever gets married (I'm out of kids-just the dog and grandkids and I HOPE I'm not still doing this when THEY get married) I'll probably do the wedding myself. I don't think my dog would trust anyone else.

Don

They had video cameras back then? :}

Yes, they had handcranks and everything. They were like going to the gym for a workout but more expensive ;-)

Don

yes
 

jeeze i had a camera on my shoulder non stop for more than an hour during a ceremony and many of my back and side muscles couldnt take it anymore. The bride was late and they rushed the wedding and i didnt get a chance to grab my monopod. even the shoulder type cams will make u hurt afte a while adn u wil get shaky results.