All was going well, waiting outside with the groom etc. then I thought it'd be a good idea to get my fill-in flash set up correctly before the bride's arrival. First shot, great, nicely balanced with the orange filter over the flash doing its job well. Second shot...... Why's the shutter not firing? Why is the viewfinder so dark? Hmm. Error 001.
Ok, switch off, on again. Nope. Batteries out, back in, nope. "Clucking bell" I thought to myself. Lens off, back on, batteries out, back in.... It's working!
I managed to shoot all shots of the bride's arrival and in the registry office, then outside for the group shots..... A dark viewfinder and no shutter firing. Ok, logic. Try a different lens. On went my nifty fifty, and everything was fine til the end. Phew.
As if it wasn't sweaty enough outside and in the registry office, I really didn't need that. My 17-85mm lens might be unuseable, but at least the camera body is fine.
Im home now, relaxing, laughing about it. Tomorrow I'll hopefully be wandering around Queen's college, Cambridge? That should be much less stressful.
Have a lovely weekend all.
Tony
Posted on: 03 August 2012 by fatcat
Tony
I had a similar problem with my 17-85mm. It was due to a cracked ribbon cable, a common fault with this lens. You may find if the camera is switched on with the lens set at telephoto it will work fine, but once it's opened up to about 35mm it will show the error again.
Posted on: 03 August 2012 by Tony Lockhart
Thanks very much, that sounds like my lens, from memory. I assume that can be fixed for a price?
Tony
Posted on: 03 August 2012 by fatcat
Originally Posted by Tony Lockhart:
I assume that can be fixed for a price? Tony
A canon repair centre wanted £160.00 to fix it, although this included a service. I found a place in Oldham that replaced the cable for £70.00. Luckily he was able to turn it round very quickly, mine failed a week before my daughters graduation 
. Not quite as bad as failing on the day 
.
Posted on: 06 August 2012 by winkyincanada
Wedding photography is a huge responsibility. Pretty much everything else that can go wrong on the day simply forms part of the story if it does; and is remembered fondly with the passing of time. Missing or poor wedding photos (unless they are REALLY bad - comically so) are never remembered fondly.
On the couple of occasions I've been asked, I have politely declined and suggested that they go for a pro. I couldn't stand to mess it up, and I am not very good at it anyway. I did take a bunch of shots at my sister's wedding, but I was only the second-string snapper. Some of mine made it into the album though, which made me and my sister happy.
Posted on: 06 August 2012 by BigH47
A good friend is a pro photographer, Weddings are the only jobs he passes on.
At least with digital you can see if you actually got a pic.
Posted on: 06 August 2012 by winkyincanada
Originally Posted by BigH47:
A good friend is a pro photographer, Weddings are the only jobs he passes on.
At least with digital you can see if you actually got a pic.
That's a good point. More pressure with film, for sure. I'd guess there have been some wedding shoots without a single usable picture. Bride be not happy.
Posted on: 07 August 2012 by Tony Lockhart
Winky,
I've turned down two weddings before and was very relieved that I did so. This time my friend was desperate and I had no reason to refuse, so I agreed and gave him the impression I was keen and relaxed. He now has a few nice photographs of the day, and I feel quite good about it. I just wish I'd taken my 11-16mm lens, as the group shots would have been a doddle compared to using the 50mm in a confined space with a reduced size sensor.
Live and learn.
Tony
