Weddings, sports and concerts.. which lens?

[Timetraveller]

Hey all!

I have a few upcoming photography gigs this summer; a wedding (or maybe more), some sports (soccer) and a few concerts. I shoot with a Canon 20D and right now I only have a 50mm/1.8 and Sigma 10-20mm as I managed to drop my short zoom lens recently (24-85mm).

Now the question is which lens should I get? I can only afford to get one lens as I'm a poor student, only starting out with pro photography. But I do want this one lens to be good quality. I'm thinking of getting another short zoom, emphasis on weddings and concerts, as I might be able to borrow a longer zoom for the sports gig. But I would really appreciate any tips!

Would the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM be okay for weddings and concerts?

[Haru]

I'm not sure F/4 is going to cut it in a wedding or concert. Both places have bad lighting and unless you plan on getting a flash (unless you already have one) i would go with something faster. 24-70 would be my first suggestion.

Although with a 1k budget you could do more than just buy one "L" lens. You could get a sigma 24-70, a fast prime ( canon 85 1.8 or sigma 30 1.4, ect, depending on what focal length you feel you will need more speed) and a 430EX flash. If I was in your shoes I would want to get the most bang for my buck as opposed to just one really nice lens.

[Bill Ng]

No offense, but questions like this are rather disappointing.

1) You say you want one single lens to cover weddings, concerts, and sports. That's like saying you want one car for the dragstrip, the racetrack, and daily commuter. Why don't you just say, I want a good all-around lens that does nothing really well, because that's what you're asking for.

2) If you don't understand photography enough to understand what your own needs are from a lens, how can you accept a position shooting someone's wedding? A wedding is a one-time opportunity and if you get it wrong, your client is done. No do-overs unless she plans on getting divorced and remarried. Real wedding pros have at minimum of 2 bodies, two flashes, and an assortment of lenses that can cover all situations. You will NEED at least 1 fast prime. Fast is not 2.8 - in wedding speak, 2.8 is slow. You need a 1.4 or faster if you can't use flash indoors (most churches don't allow that). Then you'll need a zoom or two to handle the bulk of the outdoor workload. Sounds like you are seriously under-gunned here I would suggest you NOT shoot the wedding until you have a little more experience ... figure on 5 years as a good starting point.

Bill

[philthejuggler]

No offense, but questions like this are rather disappointing.

1) You say you want one single lens to cover weddings, concerts, and sports. That's like saying you want one car for the dragstrip, the racetrack, and daily commuter. Why don't you just say, I want a good all-around lens that does nothing really well, because that's what you're asking for.

2) If you don't understand photography enough to understand what your own needs are from a lens, how can you accept a position shooting someone's wedding? A wedding is a one-time opportunity and if you get it wrong, your client is done. No do-overs unless she plans on getting divorced and remarried. Real wedding pros have at minimum of 2 bodies, two flashes, and an assortment of lenses that can cover all situations. You will NEED at least 1 fast prime. Fast is not 2.8 - in wedding speak, 2.8 is slow. You need a 1.4 or faster if you can't use flash indoors (most churches don't allow that). Then you'll need a zoom or two to handle the bulk of the outdoor workload. Sounds like you are seriously under-gunned here I would suggest you NOT shoot the wedding until you have a little more experience ... figure on 5 years as a good starting point.

Bill

I agree with all your point 2, but I personally did weddings before being what I now would feel was adequately prepared in terms of equipment (and probably photographic know-how).

I guess where people are asked to shoot weddings who are not professional / experienced amateurs there is a money-issue involved. This was definitely the case with a few weddings I did for friends & family. They all turned out fine with some decent shots, but I would produce far superior results if I did them now.

As for point 1 - that's a fraction harsh although it is true that one lens will not cover all bases.


The 100mm f2 might be useful for some sports and very good for portraits in the wedding & is a possible for concerts. I'd then add a Tammy 17-50 f2.8 and a 430EX and there lies the basis of a decent start. I would agree that borrowing a spare Canon body is important in case of disaster! Good Luck!

[eigga]

Here you go...

For weddings I use...
16-35 2.8
24-70 2.8
70-200 2.8 IS

For Concerts I use
85 1.8
70-200 2.8 IS

For Sports I use...
300 2.8
70-200 IS 2.8
85 1.8

And for all these I have a backup camera and a few 580's.

I have never personally been to a concert where f/4 would be useable and 50% of my weddings it is the same case. I guess if you want 1 lens to give you a chance at all these I would suggest the 70-200 2.8 IS. But as others have mentioned each lens is a tool and has its places. The smaller your tool kit the more limited you are in most situations

[Timetraveller]

Thanks for your help! Especially eigga, that list helps a lot. I'm thinking of going with two lenses after all, the 85mm 1.8 and a 70-200mm. And I guess I'll forget about f/4..

And to answer Bill Ng, I know one lens isn't taking me far, it's just the only thing I can afford right now, so yes basically I was asking just that; an all around lens that will get me past this summer.

As for the wedding, I am getting paid very little for it, and the customers understand that I am not that experienced yet. But what other way is there to get more experience? Learning by doing.. And I've shot wedding portraits before with my equipment, two 20D bodies, one flash and 50mm 1.8 & 24-85mm lenses.

[eigga]

I started my business with an XT and 70-300. I was lucky to be able to invest all my earnings back into my business for a full year.

I never turned down an opportunity regardless of the challenge. I rented equipment when needed even if it hurt my profit.... this allowed me to develop a portfolio. Weddings are the only thing I would be concerned about....as long as you are completley honest about your ability I dont see an issue in doing it. You seem to have done that.

Taking great pictures is at best 50% of what is needed to have a sucessful business.

In the words of Mrs. Frizlle... "Take chances, make mistakes, shoot in RAW!"

Matt

[philthejuggler]

Thanks for your help! Especially eigga, that list helps a lot. I'm thinking of going with two lenses after all, the 85mm 1.8 and a 70-200mm. And I guess I'll forget about f/4..

And to answer Bill Ng, I know one lens isn't taking me far, it's just the only thing I can afford right now, so yes basically I was asking just that; an all around lens that will get me past this summer.

As for the wedding, I am getting paid very little for it, and the customers understand that I am not that experienced yet. But what other way is there to get more experience? Learning by doing.. And I've shot wedding portraits before with my equipment, two 20D bodies, one flash and 50mm 1.8 & 24-85mm lenses.


You could perhaps do some co-photographing of weddings to get some experience.

[Stocky]

I am confused by your question:

You can only buy ONE lens, but I don't see a price limit.

Am I missing something?

[convergent]

Thanks for your help! Especially eigga, that list helps a lot. I'm thinking of going with two lenses after all, the 85mm 1.8 and a 70-200mm. And I guess I'll forget about f/4..


You might want to consider the 85mm 1.8 and 135mm 2.0 with a TC1.4 in the bag. The 135 is an outstanding L lens that will do amazing things for your concert and wedding photography. With the TC it will become a 189mm 2.8, but you get to drop back to f/2 for your indoor work. The 85 and 135 are two of my favorite lenses for this type of thing.

[freebird]

You might want to consider the 85mm 1.8 and 135mm 2.0 with a TC1.4 in the bag. The 135 is an outstanding L lens that will do amazing things for your concert and wedding photography. With the TC it will become a 189mm 2.8, but you get to drop back to f/2 for your indoor work. The 85 and 135 are two of my favorite lenses for this type of thing.


I couldn't agree more. Sometimes 2.8 just isnt enough . The primes really shine for concert and wedding images.

One thing to keep in mind if your close to subject shooting 1.8 or 2.0 if you focus / recompose your DOF can change with recomposing. ie if you focused on the face and recompose to compose a guitar in the shot it might not have both in focus.

Chuck

[Harleypugs]

There is only one lens that I see doing any part of the three that you are asking about....

70-200 2.8 IS

[Tigershark]

70-200 2.8 if you had to pick one for all those events

[crazyskillz07]

There is only one lens that I see doing any part of the three that you are asking about....

70-200 2.8 IS
x2 on this. It will work for all 3 but wont be the only one you will need. It would be a good starting point. It may cause you to catch L fever, in which case you'll end up with everything else sooner than you think.

[timbop]

There is only one lens that I see doing any part of the three that you are asking about....

70-200 2.8 IS

Agree that the only SINGLE lens would be the 70-200/2.8IS, but for that cash you could get several lenses. A 2 lens compromise for less would be the 85/1.8 +135 or 85/1.8 + 70-200/2.8 non-IS.

As for the beat-down for attempting a wedding, that was uncalled for. The best way to learn is to be an apprentice/second shooter, but if you are doing this for friends/acquaintances who understand your skill level there is nothing wrong with it. My niece could afford no photographer, and was thrilled with every shot I got for her - this before I got into shooting weddings.