Linda Tamarpirat was good enough to ask me multiple questions, so I’ll be answering in multiple posts!
So, Linda’s first question was: “What’s in your bag? What equipment do you use? Do you use different equipment for an e-sessions and weddings? What about other sessions?”
That’s an excellent question Linda!
I should start out by saying I was shooting with the Canon 30D as my primary camera body until quite recently. I’ve just upgraded to the Canon 5D mkII and I couldn’t be happier with the change! Besides being full frame and having excellent performance at high ISOs, the quality of the images I’m seeing (and I’ve only been working with it for a short while) is phenomenal. If I loved my 30D before this, I’ll never know… because now I am completely smitten with my new body and all previous enjoyment is eclipsed by it’s awesomeness! 
My lenses
Canon 70-200 4 L IS
My favorite lens for those really long shots where I want to be unobtrusive. It’s smaller and lighter than the 2.8 option, and actually has better colour, contrast and sharpness than it’s more expensive brother. It’s also a newer lens, so it has more advanced IS technology!
Canon 24-105 4 L IS
This is my favorite ‘workhorse’ lens. I use this most often during ceremonies and times when things are moving too fast to chose exactly the lens I want. I’m always impressed by the colour and sharpness out of this baby! I use this a lot for my ‘everyone moving but the couple’ shots as well. Love it!
Canon 85 1.8 USM
My favorite of the bunch… I would seriously cry if something happened to this lens! My 85mm is my primary portrait lens… any time I can use it I do! The colour, contrast and sharpness out of this lens is unparalleled by anything else in my lens library… every time I edit photos from it my heart flutters! 
Tamron 17-50 2.8
The Tamron 17-50 is a surprisingly sharp wide angle option with very little in the way of chromatic abberation. It was one of my most often used lenses for those ‘little person, big world’ shots I love to take. I will be hanging on to it as a companion lens for my 30D, but sadly is not compatible with my new body!
Kenko Uniplus Extension Tube 25
Instead of having a dedicated macro lens, I chose to go the route of an extension tube instead. The thing I love about the extension tube is I can decide on a whim if I want a 50mm, 85mm or what-have-you macro lens at the drop of a hat. Pair this with your favorite prime and you have a truly stunning combo!
Also… all shots in this post were taken with my Canon 50mm 1.8 which I will soon be replacing with it’s bigger brother, the 50mm 1.4 USM. The 1.8 gets some stunning shots don’t get me wrong, but you need to have patience to get the focus bang on which just isn’t good enough for me! I use it primarily when I have time to fiddle, but for fast paced shots it’s not my first choice in the slightest.
I love bokeh (aka the blurred areas of an image) so I’m trying to build a library of fast primes for use during the less “go go go” parts of any given session. The 50mm 1.4 and most likely the 24mm 1.4L are both on my radar as future buys. I tell you, the lens shopping never stops! 
My flashes
Canon 580 exII
My primary on camera flash. I LOVE this flash… seriously! Unlike it’s earlier incarnation, the exII evaluates the whole frame when shooting ‘through the lens’ and calculates your flash output needs from that. The original version only evaluated what was in the center of the image, which as you can guess yielded some very weird exposures from frame to frame!
Canon 430 ex
My usual ‘off camera’ flash. This is the flash I usually get my assistant to hold when I’m doing my dramatic lighting shots during portrait time. It’s a great little work horse!
Vivitar 283 (x3)
My reception flashes… I usually have two of these babies on stands situated on opposite sides of the dance floor to get that really cool ‘night club’ look for the dance shots.They’re built like tanks and kick out a heck of a lot of light! I think you should use the right tools for the job, so when I discovered these old girls (they’re from the 70’s!) do exactly what I need them to AND have more juice than the newer/fancier/more expensive offerings I knew I had found a match!
Pocket Wizards (x3)
I use these to trigger my flashes during the reception because they’ll work no matter how many people are between me and the flash or wether or not I’m pointed towards them. I usually use the 580 exII to trigger my 430 ex for portraits, but as it relies on infrared instead of radio signals it’s not ideal for a busy situation like the dance floor.
Manfrotto Air Cushioned Master Stand (x2) – Not Pictured
I have a pair of Manfrotto master stands I use for my off camera lighting for receptions. My main reasons for choosing them are they’re heavy (less likely to get knocked over), they raise to 13′ (you never know!) and they’re able to take studio strobes should you need to. I plan on getting myself some strobes for my fashion/newborn and maternity work so it just made sense to invest now.
I would say the biggest difference between my wedding/event photography and engagement/portrait sessions is the amount of gear I bring. Usually for a wedding I’ll have my lightstands, extra flashes and my whole library of lenses (just in case!). When I shoot a portrait or engagement session, we’re often doing some walking so I try to pack light. I usually bring just the lenses I know I’ll use for sure, my two canon flashes, my camera and of course my sense of humour.
Hope that answers your first question Linda! I’ll be answering the rest soon…
- Amber
8 Comments
Thank you so much for sharing. This was a fabulous post !! I am always so curious to know what other photographers are using and their opinions about their gear. All the best
How come u did not bring all of this studd in Europe.I only saw you with a small bag.. What did you have in Europe?
I actually had everything above (save the viv’s) with me in Paris believe it or not! My bag holds a LOT.
WOW! You have a nice collection!
I was thinking of getting a prim lens too, one of these days! It’s hard to buy equipment when you don’t make any money off of them. Would it be possible if you can post sample photos with each lens? That would be awesome!
Your macro shoots are just awesome, like your ring shots! Did you use your Tube for that? Can you post some sample photos from one of your lens with and with out the tube? I want to get better ring shots but not really looking into getting a macro lens. Hehe sorry if I’m asking you so much, I’m still learning.
Wow, love the Uniplus idea!! I may have to get one! This post is very helpful to people starting out!! We own pretty much the same gear but you dog for getting the MKII, have to play with it in Vegas!!!!!
Linda: I will add the lens comparisons to the list of questions! That should be a great blog post.
To quickly answer one of your questions though… My extension tube is used almost exclusively for my ring shots! It’s a wonderful macro option and I recommend it to everyone. It usually pairs with my 85mm 1.8, but you can really pop it on any lens you want.
Scott: You’re going to love the extension tube… AND the MkII! Bwahahahaha! Seriously though, I’ll have both in Vegas and you can paw both of them to your hearts content.
Oh may I try them out too?!
But of course!