![\"unionleague_1\"](\"http:\/\/cmphotography.goodgallery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/unionleague_1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nOk, I admit it. I\u2019m a bit of a lens snob. I love quality glass, and I carry a slew of lenses to each wedding. I don\u2019t pack a ton of lenses with for no reason. I use them ALL. One day I\u2019ll post a blog about each, but today I want to give a shout out to my F4 Nikkor lenses that allow me to shed some weight for SOME parts of the wedding day without sacrificing performance or sharpness. I NEVER thought I\u2019d own any F4 lenses. I begin each day with my Nikkor 85mm F1.4G on one D4S, and my Nikkor 35mm F1.4G on another D4S. I also carry a Nikkor 28mm 1.4D, and an assortment of other goodies as well. It\u2019s a large kit, and I use everything in the bag.<\/p>\n
The wedding day is long. I mean, really long at times. I bust my ass for my clients, and I can\u2019t ever let a moment pass without making sure I\u2019ve done everything I can to capture those moments in the most creative way possible. I\u2019ve been shooting professionally now for 33 years. Yeah, insert age joke here\u2026.. At 52, or heck, at any age, it\u2019s physically draining to carry any amount of equipment all day long, let alone flagship cameras with fast glass. While I tend to shoot with the most shallow depth of field possible for much of a wedding day, I also recognize when I need a bit more depth as well. Enter my Nikkor F4G lenses. The Nikkor 70-200 F4G, Nikkor 24-120mm F4G, and the Nikkor 16-35mm F4G have been in my bag now for a few months. My neck, shoulders, arms, and my entire body thank them. These lightweight tools have allowed me to shed weight without giving up a thing. I shoot the first dance, parent dances, and many other elements of the reception at F4 to allow some room for error, so why not shoot them with lighter gear? They focus well in low light, and unless I need to open up wider than F4, they\u2019re ideal for wedding receptions, family formals, and anything else I don\u2019t need a shallow depth of field for. <\/p>\n
If you\u2019d asked me a few years ago if I\u2019d use F4 glass- I\u2019d have said \u201cno way\u201d. To me, they were generally considered \u201camateur\u201d lenses. Today, there\u2019s no way I\u2019d do without them given how much fresher I feel after a grueling wedding day shoot. These lenses are built to last, focus fast, and they\u2019re as sharp as anything Nikkor produces. Many may say, \u201cwhy in the world does anyone carry that much gear to a wedding?\u201d Fortunately, I don\u2019t. I have amazing assistants who help me with all of my gear, and we pack everything in a tidy Tamrac rolling strongbox. My assistants and I are symbiotic on the wedding day, and they often know what I need before I need it. All of my gear is incorporated into my workflow seamlessly. <\/p>\n
I\u2019m often asked what I bring to a wedding. Here\u2019s a fairly comprehensive list of what\u2019s in my bag. <\/p>\n
Cameras:
\n2- Nikon D4S\u2019s
\n1-Nikon D810
\n1- Nikon D4<\/p>\n
Lenses:
\nNikkor 28mm F1.4D
\nAF-S Nikkor 35mm F1.4G
\nAF-S Nikkor 85mm F1.4G
\nAF-S-Micro Nikkor 105mm F2.8G IF-ED
\nAF-S Nikkor 14-24mm F2.8G ED
\nAF-S Nikkor 16-35mm F4G ED VR
\nAF-S Nikkor 24-70mm F2.8G
\nAF-S Nikkor 70-200mm F2.8G ED VRII
\nAF-S Nikkor 70-200mm F4G ED VR
\nAF-S Nikkor 24-120mm F4G ED VR<\/p>\n
Speedlights:
\n3 SB910\u2019s
\n1 SB900<\/p>\n
Battery packs:
\n3 Nikon SD-9\u2019s (incredibly efficient)<\/p>\n
Pocketwizards:
\n2-TT1 Mini\u2019s
\n3-TT5 Flex\u2019s
\n2-AC3 zone controllers
\nThe handy power cable that attaches to the camera body(really cool)<\/p>\n
Rogue Flash Benders-modifiers
\nSmall, medium and large for various needs<\/p>\n
Bogen carbon fiber monopod<\/p>\n
GL-1 gunlight
\nwescott Ice Light<\/p>\n
Granola bars\u2026. chocolate\u2026. valium\u2026(kidding!}<\/p>\n
I also have A Nikon D3S and a Nikkor 70-200 VRI in my car for backup. <\/p>\n
This was shot with the AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm F4G VR and was racked at 30mm
\nThe next shot was with the same lens at 100mm. The versatility is really stellar. <\/p>\n