Size of memory cards for weddings?

Shima

When you shoot weddings, what size memory cards do you have on stock? I heard from someone that 8gb cards can actually (supposedly) slow down a camera? (compact flash) Is this even true?

Also do you shoot RAW or RAW+JPEG?

bham

Shima wrote:

When you shoot weddings, what size memory cards do you have on stock? I heard from someone that 8gb cards can actually (supposedly) slow down a camera? (compact flash) Is this even true?

Also do you shoot RAW or RAW+JPEG?

I use a number of 1gb and 512 cards. Mainly because that I have rarely seen a need for just one big card.

Also with multiple cards if something goes bad on a card, you won't lose everything. I think Shay actually said this somewhere in a post and its a great point and I was already doing this.

I usually end up using between 4 to 8 cards. Just watch your number of approx. shots left and change at a time between things. When you get under 40 shots left on a card, get another card ready and handy. I keep my cards in a ziplock bags, one large one, with 2 smaller ones in it, one marked used, other blank. I keep the ziplock in my pocket or waist pack.

z_28

2 GBs, 1 GBs and few 512 MBs for deep back-up.

JESTER

If you are shooting RAW (which you should be) I would use at least 2gb and carry a few backups. I have 2, 4 and a couple of 8s but usually use the 2 and 4. I don't notice any difference in speed when using the 8.

dragon300zx

This is my own personal prefference and others may or may not agree but..... Whether I am shooting weddings, sports, anything..... I shoot with 1gb cards. It isn't hard to change them, it doesn't take minutes to do, and if one card fails you don't loose everything, just some things.

Dee

I have a "newish" camera for me, my first dSLR, and bought an 8GB card, but I also have with me (besides a spare battery) a 2GB and a 1GB. I gave my other cards to my daughter when I got the 8GB.

Because it's a newer camera for me I'm not sure if I can notice any difference in speed (the 8GB is slower than the other cards), but I can shoot off a bunch of jpgs in "rapid fire" mode. The Raw/Jpg I can only get off 3 shots at a burst.

If I had a wedding gig, I'd take back my 4GB card from my daughter and carry the 2GB, so I'd have those in addition to the 8GB -- and if the 8GB failed, I'd still have 6GB to work with.

The 8GB I have is "Hi-Speed 100" and is an "off" brand, the other cards are faster SanDisk cards.

I'd advise shooting in raw when you could. If in a situation, like the dancing, where you might want to shoot multiple shots at one shutter press, you could switch to jpg -- my thinking being the posed shots, church shots, etc. are probably more important in the long run and the extra post processing options are worth it.

I've been playing with raw more now, and while not totally convinced, I can see sometimes that it's a good thing to do.

HiSPL

My wife shoots weddings in RAW with 2 bodies (20D and 30D). She usually takes about 600-700 images that total 4-6 gigs. She uses a 4 gig card in each body plus has two 1 gig cards for backup. Sometimes she will fill up the 4 gig in the 30D because she favors that camera more.

HTH!

dangin

i tend to overshoot at weddings; especially if i'm doing a lot of posed shots. i shoot with an 8GB and 4GB in my main bodies, a 1GB in my portrait body and a spare 4GB in my bag. i've never noticed any speed difference in camera with between the 8GB or my 4GB cards.

you can never have too much storage; especially if you shoot raw.

Shima

Thanks all. I went and purchased two 4 gig cards (the extreme III's) from work since I get them at a nice discount... which will compliment my 2 gb and 1gb ultra II cards I already have...

I'm planning to shoot just RAW based on all the reading I did.

My first wedding is this Sunday, August 12th x.x took it to help out a poor student who was still photographer less... made sure she knows clearly that it's my first though!!

and then crazy stuff is I took another one for Saturday the 18th... last minute because her photographer she booked was a scam artist and is no where to be found now... crazy week for me it's been... decide i want to get into this field on the pro side a few weeks ago and now look at what I've got already because people are poor and willing to take my lack of experience to save on money

you sure can bet I'll be posting lots after each wedding

HiSPL

Although you have some great lenses in your sig, I would definately consider spending 90 bucks for the 50 1.8. You will need some low light glass for weddings and for the price you can't beat the fantastic plastic!


Good Luck!

Scott_Quier

I shoot exclusively RAW in my 30D and 20D.

I carry a total of 10 2GB cards. I usually only use 4 or 5 of them in a full day. One day, totally almost 15 hours, I used all but one. And, I don't do the "spray and pray" style of shooting.

The cards are all the Sandisk Ultra II as they are faster then the buffers on my cameras, even when nearly full and are less expensive than anything that comes after them.

P.S. - I hope your wedding shoot when well. Would love to see piccies when you have a moment to post.

P.P.S - How much did your couple for the 18th get scammed for? Do you know and are you comfortable sharing the name of the "photographer?"