need help with best wedding photography lens

[akhoopes]

im going to be shooting my first wedding, its for my sister, and i need to know the best lens for such a project, im shotting with the rebel xt (350d) and all i have now is the kit lens, im going to rent the lens and i can get just about any lens i need, so any ideas and inputs would be very appriciated. thank you very much

[RobKirkwood]

It depends - on the venue and your style. If you're talking about having just one lens, then 18-55 is a workable range, as is 24-70 (or 24-105) provided you have room to get wide enough at the 24mm end.

Ann and I shot an entire wedding 2 weeks ago with the 17-55 IS on our 30D, and the 24-105 IS on our 20D ...we had the 70-200 ready on our 350D, and the 12-24 and 50mm f1.4 on standby but never used any of them.

Rob

[akhoopes]

the wedding and the reception will be outside in all natrual light, so any ideas would be great im not really all the experieced but trying to build up and work into the busines.

[tim]

There are lots of threads about which lens is best, lately people seem to like the 17-55 F2.8 IS. I know I like it.

A bigger issue isn't the lens, and asking for lens recommendations is the first sign that you're probably not looking at the right thing. What's more important is getting a few books on wedding photography and reading them, getting to know your equipment, and being able to predict what's going to happen next and where. Lighting is also important, outside in summer you need a reasonably powerful flash to fill in the shadows. This thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75678) will give you a little advice.

[Tee Why]

Geez,
I'm not sure if you may be ready if you haven't figured out what lenses you need.
Most use something along 16-35 f2.8 for wide/group shots, a mod. telephoto like a 85mm f1.2 or a 70-200L for low light portraits and 24-70 or a fast 50mm for something in between. Most wedding guys shoot with two cameras and a bag full of lenses for a variety of shots.

[akhoopes]

cool thanks im prob not ready and its sort of a quick wedding, nothing big or anything just family and a throw together reception i would never do a strangers at this point or get paid for anything, im no where near that i know i normally do bug macros, lol and my kids, its just a favor for my sister and was just wondering thats all but ill take all the advice i can get thanks again

[RobKirkwood]

OK, nothing big, nothing fancy - but what happens if you hire your ideal lens and then when you get there your camera won't power up, or your flash dies, or the lens you just hired siezes up halfway through?

There are many reasons why wedding photographers are expensive, being able and prepared to deal with things that possibly might never happen is just one of them.

I don't know what your hire budget might be, but if you can stretch to it why not buy a 2nd 350D body as a backup, and something like the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 which is a great lens for the money?

You'll still have to deal with the other issues folks have raised, particularly being totally comfortable with how your camera reacts in different situations, and fill-flash lighting, etc. ...but you'll need to cover these whatever you decide to do.

Rob