Need a Lens for Wedding Parties

[SpeedInfusion]

Like receptions and home parties...mostly indoors, possibly badly lighted, and big group shots
i wasnt happy with this, is it because i should have used the slave flash?

this was with the kit lens 18-55mm

i also have a 50mm 1.8, would that have been better?

[stckciv]

I dont know that another lens would help this shot. One problem I see is the miror, you have other people watching your shot as well as your flash reflection. The flash can cause problems with the outcome of that picture.

In low light situations you may want a faster lens, but shooting into a mirror will still cause problems.

[Toogy]

As mentioned, the mirror definately didn't help. ETTL does NOT like mirrors.
But to answer your question, the best lens out there in my opinion for the type of shots you are asking about is the 17-55 F2.8 IS.

[mebailey]

For low light wedding parties I would try the 24-70f2.8. You still would probably need a flash. You might get away without a flash with a fast WA prime.

[the.digital.guy]

For low light wedding parties I would try the 24-70f2.8. You still would probably need a flash. You might get away without a flash with a fast WA prime.

I agree; the Canon 24-70mm L 2.8

[SpeedInfusion]

thanks guys, yea i know the mirror was a issue, after this shot i had everyone move away from it lol...so 24-70 ey? thanks, ill check it out, i know its a good chunk of $$ but if i can get enough gigs, i shoud be ok...and i have a slave flash already so ill test it out on my friends wedding this saturday....

[sirsloop]

17-40L FTW!! Just look out for those pesky mirrors! :) I think you'll find the 50/1.8 is way too narrow for large groups... thats a 1-2 person portrait lens really.

[JimAskew]

I bought the 17-55MM EF-S IS just to shoot my Niece's wedding this past July...got outstanding results. My 24-70MM EF L never left the bag :-)

[sm1rf]

17-55mm IS is the best i can think of for this type of shoot, and cheaper than the 24-70l

[Mark_48]

My spin on this would have been...
- To compose the shot a bit tighter which may have gotten the mirror and reflection out of the picture and some of the other distractions. The kit lens with its zoom range should be able to handle this.
- Try doing some cropping on your present shot a bit and see if it looks better.
- If you have a flash (580EX, 430EX, etc) with a head that can be tilted up, you could attempt bouncing some light off the ceiling which may have given a less harsh lighting.

- Diffused light can be a good thing.
http://www.lumiquest.com/
http://store.garyfonginc.com/liiido.html
http://www.stofen.com/index.htm

- New and better lens may or may not equate to better pictures. The 18-55 kit lens, if you have a good copy, can be capable of good images.

[Ephemeral]

Can't agree more on the bounced flash.

The 24-70 2.8 is also very very good for this type of photography. :D

[rklepper]

17-55mm IS is the best i can think of for this type of shoot, and cheaper than the 24-70l


I guess I never realized that they were that cheap. Perhaps I should try one.

[SpeedInfusion]

17-55mm IS is the best i can think of for this type of shoot, and cheaper than the 24-70l

i checked out the prices, it looks like its the same price...what site are u checking on?

i think ill stick to the 18-55 kit one for this time, and see what i can do...but im serious about upgrading...

thanks again guys