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Fuji X Wedding Photography Chat


abjurina

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Okay, everyone. If you are a wedding photographer or have shot weddings using your Fuji gear, let's share some thoughts, tips and gear preferences! I'd love to see how other X-Photographers are working weddings with Fuji Gear. 

 

Here's my gear:

 

Fuji X-T1

Fuji X-E2

 

Fuji 35mm 1.4

Fuji 56mm 1.2

Fuji 18-55 2.8-4 R IOS

Fuji 55-200 3.5-4.8 R IOS

 

Yongnuo 565EX (x2) flashes (for bounce, in manual mode)

Yongnuo 560 III (x2) flashes for off-camera setups

Yongnuo 560 tx -manual flash trigger for off-camera setups

 

I'll share further info on how I use my gear if anyone cares to know. But let's start here!

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I use the following for my weddings:

 

X-T1 x 2 with battery grips

10-24mm f/4

23mm f/1.4

35mm f/1.4

56mm f/1.2

50-140mm f/2.8

18-55mm f/2.8-4

Nikon 50mm f/1.8 and 35mm f/2 on a Kipon tilt adapter

Rokinon 12mm f/2

Instax Mini 90

Instax Wide 500AF

Nissin i40 (plus other canon flash gear occasionally)

 

Most of my coverage is with the primes, I use the zooms for ceremony and speeches. Here's a recent Fuji wedding:

 

http://chasingsummerphoto.com/general/kirsty-and-tims-wedding-echidna-gully-armidale-wedding-photography-nsw/

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Wow, Antony. You've got quite the load of gear. I feel like I'm a little under-prepared, haha! Either way, beautiful pictures! You do wonderful work! Here's my site, since we're sharing: http://www.jurinaphotography.com/blog.cfm ...all shoots have been done with fuji gear since the first of the year...although my wife still shoots Canon...for now, hahaha!

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Antony, do you keep a wide on one body and a portrait (like the 56 1.2) on the other mostly? My setup is generally with the 18-55 (on my X-E2) and the 56 1.2 on my X-T1. I use the longer zoom for ceremony, like you. The 35 1.4 comes out depending on the lighting and the look I'm after.

 

 

 


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I use the Black widow camera holster http://spiderholster.com/black-widow-holster/ so that I can easily run with two cameras. With one holster on each hip I can instantly swap cameras without worry.

 

I generally shoot with a combination of 23/56 or 35/56 in normal light. I'll bring in the other lenses as required.

 

18-55mm - Ceremony and family photos

10-24mm - Group photo and reception room

50-140mm - Ceremony close ups, reception speeches

12mm - low light reception, dance floor

Tilt lenses - specialist portrait

 

Thinking seriously about selling the 10-24mm, while sharp it's too slow and I have little need of the focal length for weddings. I have the Canon 16-35mm and a couple 5D3s for my commercial and studio work (along with the other f/2.8 zooms) so I could easily ditch it. If I get the 16-50mm f/2.8 I can cover that 24mm focal length, and lose the 18-55mm. I'll likely do this as it eliminates one lens from my bag with improved overall speed and IQ.

 

It's lots of gear but it all fits nicely into a Thinktank Airport Airstream for carry on size in Australia. I use a Shootsac to carry a couple extra lenses, flash and batteries while working, so my load is light and I can swap out from the Thinktank as required.

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Here's my bag, I40 is missing from the empty slot (in for service). Bag also holds an L bracket (next to the Rokinon), a Canon off camera cable (under the 23mm), a set of off brand extension rings (under the 35mm), a RRS flash bracket (under the 50-140mm), a Nikon 24mm (for use with tilt adapter - likely will sell this as not using it) and a few packs on film for the Mini 90.

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I've been looking into the spider holsters for myself. Right now I use a sling strap and just hold the other camera. I have a bad back, so I'm trying to keep as much weight off of the shoulders as I can (another one of the reason on why I went to fuji). Have you found any issues with the holsters over using a strap?

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One of the reasons for switching to Fuji was my back. I was shooting with a 1Dx and a 5D3 on straps and was getting real issues. Since moving to the holsters I have to say I will never switch back to straps - it has revolutionized the way I work, and freed my shoulders to carry the super light Shootsac with the extra lens or accessory I may want at hand. No issues at all, I got two and a couple of extra pins so I can have one under my mini 90 etc. Make sure you tighten the pin with the wrench supplied - if you do it by hand it can work loose.

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I use the following for my weddings:

...

Nikon 50mm f/1.8 and 35mm f/2 on a Kipon tilt adapter

...

 

Hi Antony, sounds like a complete kit there.  Can you tell me about your experience with the tilt-adapter?  Do you have any images that you are willing to share using the adapter and Nikkor lenses? Thanks in advance.

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I've got the original tilt adaptor which uses a silver chuck around the lens mount to loosen and tighten. When using I set the camera to MF with peaking and use the viewfinder to tell me what's in focus. I'm having a much better success rate than when using the Canon 45mm TS-E that I had with the Canon system.

 

The original Kipon tilt adapter allows the lens to move freely in any direction when it is loosened. It has the advantage of being compact and less expensive, but the lack of markings etc. mean the results are less replicable, and you have no idea how much you are tilted. That said, it's a vast improvement on freelensing and I've been happy with the results.

 

Kipon have now released a new model that allows a measured degree of tilt in one direction which can locked in. The mount is rotatable so this tilt can be achieved in any direction. I will likely pick up one of these in due course. A big advantage is that you can set it to zero tilt and have a standard adapter. You're never sure if it's square with the original "silver chuck" adapter.

 

I'm using the adapters with Nikon Series E manual focus lenses - I chose these because they are cheap and small in size. Sharpness is not really an issue, after all these are for artistic shots and with such a shallow plane of focus there's not a whole lot perfectly sharp anyway. I've found the main difference to be a massive drop in contrast compared to the Fuji lenses. I correct this in Lightroom, but if you shoot JPEG you will need some form of post processing to correct it.

 

There's a couple of examples on the link I posted earlier http://chasingsummerphoto.com/general/kirsty-and-tims-wedding-echidna-gully-armidale-wedding-photography-nsw/ - the B&W shot of the couple in the field where he is much further away but both are in focus, and the B&W portrait a few shots further down.

 

Cheers, Antony

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There's a couple of examples on the link I posted earlier http://chasingsummerphoto.com/general/kirsty-and-tims-wedding-echidna-gully-armidale-wedding-photography-nsw/ - the B&W shot of the couple in the field where he is much further away but both are in focus, and the B&W portrait a few shots further down.

 

Cheers, Antony

 

Thanks so much Antony.  I really appreciate your full comment.  I have been using Nikon as my wedding kit and have so many lenses.  I will look into getting the Kipon adapter to try out.  Thanks again!

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hello-

 

I've been using the X-Series only for almost 3 years. I'm a believer in "less is more." This is my current lineup, which has served me well.

 

Fujifilm X-Pro1 + 56mm f1.2

Fujifilm X-Pro1 + 14mm f2.8 OR 23mm f1.4 (depending on venue, etc)

Fujifilm X100s 

TCL-X100 33mm converter.

 

Had the EF-42 flash and sold it after using it once.

 

90mm f2 lens on order. It will not be in heavy rotation, but very nice when needed for it's reach.

 

This is an article I wrote about my photographic history and why I switched to Fujifilm X-Series for weddings:

http://www.bradleyhanson.com/blog/2015/5/26/my-25-years-with-the-fujifilm-x-series-cameras-and-lenses

 

Best,

Bradley

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This is an article I wrote about my photographic history and why I switched to Fujifilm X-Series for weddings:

http://www.bradleyhanson.com/blog/2015/5/26/my-25-years-with-the-fujifilm-x-series-cameras-and-lenses

 

Best,

Bradley

 

Thanks for sharing that well written article and sharing your experience. I started the same way (but with an FM) and was the photographer and editor of my HS yearbook as well. I also had a wedding photography business for over 12 years, and really enjoyed it (the photography but not so much the business.) Great images on your site.  I'll keep checking in on your website to see what else is new.

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Disappointed to see so few people on here using Fuji X for weddings.

 

Seriously - why would you want to lug ALL that back breaking kit around with you for something as physical as a wedding?

 

On top of which - the compact nature of the Fuji X means most people are less likely to see you as 'the resident pro' and more like another guest - meaning they are less likely to feel concenrd about you pointing a camera at them.

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I also shoot weddings using Fuji.

 

Gear:

 

X-T1 x 2 (hanging on a Holdfast Money Maker)

16 1.4 (beautiful for wide shots and detail work)

23 1.4 (I'm not yet getting the 23mm focal length completely... on fullframe I was a 28/50 guy.. nevertheless very useful)

35 1.4 (love that FOV but hate the AF performance on this lens, especially when the light fades)

56 1.2 (my workhorse... most used lens BY FAR)

(90 2.0 coming soon)

16-55 2.8 (workhorse lens, never disappoints, although I prefer prime look)

(50-140 probably coming later this year for the reach)

Nissin i40 (rarely used but taking it for safety)

11mm extension tube (ring shots, close-up details)

Reflectors in different sizes

Cards, batteries etc packed in a Compagnon Messenger.

 

I had the 10-24 but sold it. No plans for a macro since the 16/90 are both close to macro lenses.

 

My main combination for ceremony will be 16-55+90, currently I use 23+56. During portrait sessions I use 35/56. Details are shot with the 16 (and soon the 90). 

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How are we all using flashes at venues? I don't use flash at all for ceremonies, but at receptions, I am finding great success using off-camera manual flash.

 

I either set flashes on stands and point them towards the dance floor for a look such as this:

 

MorschlWed-32.jpg

 

 

OR

 

I set the flashes on stands and raise them towards the ceilings (especially vaulted ones) and bounce them for a look like this:

 

img-404.jpg

 

I have not found that on-camera manual bounce has given me good results with the Fujis. Plus, I don't like the weight of such a large flash added onto my camera. The Yongnuos are almost the same size as the camera!

 

Anybody else?

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@Marc G. I don't know if I would necessarily say that flash destroys the whole mood. Sure, it CAN destroy the mood, depending on the venue and activity, but in many cases, that's another decision we experienced photographers have to make. I could have certainly avoided flash in almost all of my reception photos, but for some venues with poor lighting or character, an off-camera flash can actually ADD to the mood. Again, I believe that flash at weddings should be carefully considered. 

 

As far as ceremonies go, I've yet to even see a photographer use flash at one, let alone using it myself. I can't imagine many officiants are very fond of that.

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My gear.

 

X-T1

X100s

I'm waiting for X-Pro2 to choose weather to add it too my setup or second X-T1 body.

 

XF 10-24/4 (will be replaced with XF 16/1.4 soon)

XF 56/1.2

Nikkor AF 105/2 DC (will be replaced with XF 90/2 as soon as possible)

TCL-X100

 

4 Cactus V6 transievers

Nikon SB-700

Pentax FGZ 540

1m 2-in-1 umbrella

120cm umbrella octobox

40x40cm softbox

5-in-1 80cm reflector

tripod and light stands

gel fiters

 

other little tricks

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I use my Fujis for weddings too.

 

Moved over from Nikon gear. Still have the D600 with a 50 1.4, 85 1.4, 14mm 2.8, but am in the process of selling most of my lenses - Loved the 24 1.4 but no need for it now.

 

So what I usually take to a wedding shoot:

 

Fuji X-T1 with 18mm f2 on it. Not the most popular lens for the internet warriors, but I love it.

 

Fuji XPro-1 with 56mm 1.2 on it. Awesome combo.

https://youtu.be/EesMX4_EDLw

 

Nissin i40 flash. I only use this when I have to for the first dance. Most weddings I've been able to get away with zero flash over the last few years.

https://youtu.be/00FheRhSPTI

 

In the bag I keep a 35mm 1.4 and an X100s.

 

I have shot with the X100s at weddings, at the bridal shoot and really it's a winner. I only use it for 10% of the images if at all but it's definitely capable.

 

The Nikon D600… well I still have it for certain corporate work, sometimes the speed light just works a lot better when I have portrait work that requires additional lighting. I do love the Nikon FF stuff but the Fuji has just been so good, the image quality, the weight and the size is just spot on for me.

 

Oh I have legacy lenses and adapters to use Nikon, M42 and PK lenses with my Fujis too. Love it.

https://youtu.be/XdkhFi9BifQ

 

 

 

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Everyone should do what works for them. I personally don't use flash anymore. I used to have a studio with a full ProFoto setup and it just wasn't consistent with my style. Same with weddings. ISO6400 and f1.2/f1.2 allow you to work in pretty much any kind of light. I had a B&W photo printed in Women's Health Magazine as a double page spread (from film) that was ambient light only and no flash, handheld at 1/15th with a Leica. Flash would have *ruined* the drama and the mood. I don't feel like flash always ruins the mood, but it does eliminate your ability to be discreet.

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