shooting wedding... need flash?

positivenote

HI guys,
after much contemplation i've agreed to shoot a friends wedding (my first). The only equipment ive got is a 30d with 18-55mm lens. i have a couple of mates who have shot weddings before and they say i'll defo need to get a flash. can anyone recomend the best place to get one for a bit of a bargain as the wedding is the weekend after next.
its a fairly small wedding and church ive been told but i wont get to see it untill the morning of the wedding.
any advice welcome... although the bride has said to me that she appreciates me doing it and isnt expecting stunning work or outstanding prints given the equipment that i have.
Thanks a bunch

Borderfox

With an 18-55 you will need a flash, any second body?

positivenote

no second body no. just what ive mentioned.

homerun_homer

Do you know anyone you could lend one off of for the day?
You can get cheap flashes on ebay from Hong Kong and the like - for around €80 not including P&P. I'm sure they might send it UPS or something so you could get it quick. I'm not going to say any flash will do, but I'm sure it would do the trick until you decide to pay full whack for a more expensive one.

I shot my cousin's wedding and looking at a lot of the photos, I could have done with one myself. It wasn't a case of the pressure was on me to be the only one to capture the 'magic' of the day but it would have been nice for their faces not to be covered in shadow in certain photos.

Like this one;

smelltheglove

Try adverts or gumtree and you may get a nice cheap second hand one, even ebay you should get it delivered in time. I got mine on adverts for 85.

I'd lend but I use Nikon. Where is the wedding? You may be able to get some kind hearted soul who will give you a lend.

positivenote

thge wedding is in galway but im based in dublin. I dont mind spending a little money on one as im sure i will use it again.
what models are suitable and in the price range of under 100euro? or is this too low for something half decent?

thanks for the feedback so far

Ballyman

Hi

I have a Canon 430EX. It's not quite as strong as a 580EX but it'll be fine for a small church and fill light outside.

You can borrow it if you like for next weekend. I'm in Kildare/West Dublin.

Eirebear

with the 18-55 its almost essential.

Speaking from experience, it CAN be done without the flash, but it does place a hell of a lot of pressure on you and i wouldnt particularly reccomend it.

If you can borrow one, then do so, try and get it a couple of days beforehand and practice practice practice, as it is completely different from using your pop-up flash.

It will take a lot of pressure off of you and it will help ensure that you enjoy the day, which in my experience is a major part of shooting a wedding.
You need to be relaxed, if your not, then the couple will struggle to relax.

Other than that, your working with one camera body, make sure you have plenty of battery, plenty of memory, and pray to god everything works on the day!

Have fun with it, relax and enjoy yourself, and learn from the experience!
Good luck!

mikeanywhere

positivenote wrote: »

thge wedding is in galway but im based in dublin

When is the wedding as I have a spare flash you can borrow (if it is a day I am not using it of course)??

Covey

I too have one you can borrow (580 mark 1).

However, flash is not instantly mastered like popping on a new lens. It takes a lot of learning or you'll end up with disappointing results even from the best of models.

A big venture your taking on there with a kit lens and no flash/ flash you won't be experienced with.

Good luck.