Choosing the right camera for wedding photography can be a daunting task, having photographed many weddings in Chatham-Kent, I have come to understand that a wedding day is one of the most important days in a couple’s life and camera equipment should not be taken lightly. Ensure that you have a low-light capable camera that can capture every special moment with strong ISO performance (brightness) on hand. Here’s a guide to help you choose the best camera equipment for photographing a wedding day.
Learning About ISO Settings
ISO is a digital setting that can be adjusted, affecting the overall the brightness of a photograph (higher ISO settings can be required when natural light is not available).
In lower light scenarios (the wedding reception for example) it is important to able to make a photograph bright. It’s crucial to ensure that the camera can be raised to ISO 5000 to make the photo brighter, before noise grain and artifacts become too heavy and detracts from the overall photo quality.
You will find that lower budget cameras often do not have strong ISO capabailities, ensure that you are using a capable camera for the work at hand.
Always ensure your camera is capable of producing noiseless photographs at high ISO levels (ISO 3000-6000), to ensure you can make the picture bright enough in low light conditions, as and when you need.
Full-Frame DSLR Cameras
Full-Frame DSLR cameras are the most commonly used cameras by wedding photographers. A full-frame camera comes equipped with a larger sensor size, which allows for better image quality in lower light scenarios. The Canon 5D Mark IV and the Nikon D850 are great full frame camera options that provide excellent image quality, fast autofocus, and great low light performance in darker wedding conditions.
Modern Mirrorless Cameras
Mirrorless cameras are becoming increasingly popular among wedding photographers because they are lighter, quieter, and more discreet than DSLRs. The Sony A7 III and the Fujifilm X-T4 are popular choices among mirrorless cameras, as they offer great image quality, fast autofocus, and 4K video capabilities.
Medium Format Cameras
Medium format cameras provide the highest image quality of all cameras, but they come at a higher cost and are less practical for wedding photography. They are best suited for studio work or high-end commercial shoots, they usually perform well in low light situations.
Use Quality Lenses
In addition to the camera body, choosing the right lense for the situation is crucial for capturing beautiful wedding photos. A 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is a staple for wedding photographers, as it provides a versatile focal range and a wide aperture for low light situations. A 70-200mm f/2.8 lens is also essential for capturing candid moments and portraits from a distance.
Fixed Barrel Camera Lenses
A fixed barrel lens will allow you to zoom in on your subjects and retain your aperture settings (IE a low f-stop such as f1.8 or f2.8), where as a cheaper lens, will darken as it zooms in, resulting in a darker photograph. A quality fixed barrel lens will give you the ability to shoot at low f-stops such as 1.4-2.8 no matter your zoom level.
Conclusion
Choosing the right camera for shooting a wedding day depends on personal preference, budget, and the type of photography you specialize in. Full-frame DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are popular choices among wedding photographers, and selecting the right lens is equally important. In summary, it’s important to invest in high-quality camera equipment that performs well in low light settings, to ensure that you capture every special moment when wedding day arrives.