What is a good lens?

[m.e.s. photography]

Hi. I am a fairly new photographer and I am going to be photographing children and weddings. I am looking to buy a Rebel XTI it comes with a 28-70mm f/2.8-4 DG Wide Angle-Telephoto Compact High Speed Zoom Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS and a 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro AF Lens. I am not sure how good these lenses are and am looking to buy another one that I will most likely use more. I would really appreciate any input and suggestions anyone has about these lens and a good lens to buy. Thank you very much!

[stathunter]

For someone who is new....I can honestly recommend a "nifty fifty" -- the canon 50 1.8 -- cheaply built but tack sharp results.
Otherwise you really need a fast low light lens--- they tend to be expensive. You really want 2.8 or better. Your variable may not be fast enough.
Weddings are a whole other area that you really need to have fast lens with low light-- and have know your stuff. There are no retakes on weddings.

[m.e.s. photography]

Thanks for the advice!

[Stump]

I think those two lenses would be pretty useless for weddings. He pretty much said it all, you'll want something fast and probably need a 430ex too.

[1ruffryder]

nifty 50. cant go wrong there

[egordon99]

Ditto on the uselessness of those two lenses. The AF probably won't be quick enough and they are too dim. You'll also need a flash. Not sure the XTi would be my first choice for shooting a wedding. You'll probaby be better off with a 30D/40D/50D as they have better autofocus and are generally quicker/more responsive.

What is your photography experience? Weddings are tough! I've been shooting DSLRs for almost three years and I still got tripped up a few times shooting my first wedding earlier this month.

Good luck!

[m.e.s. photography]

I have done a little bit of children's photography and I have not yet done a wedding yet. The wedding I am doing is for a friend who can't afford much. Do you think I am getting myself into something I shouldn't or do you have any advice on how I can practice to get ready for it? Thanks for all the advice everyone and if you have anymore please keep it coming.

[Stump]

nifty 50. cant go wrong there

I wouldn't want to be stuck with a 50mm f1.8. Imo, it's way slow to focus and hunts too much. I tried two before swapping to a 50mm f1.4.

[EOS_JD]

Hi. I am a fairly new photographer and I am going to be photographing children and weddings. I am looking to buy a Rebel XTI it comes with a 28-70mm f/2.8-4 DG Wide Angle-Telephoto Compact High Speed Zoom Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS and a 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro AF Lens. I am not sure how good these lenses are and am looking to buy another one that I will most likely use more. I would really appreciate any input and suggestions anyone has about these lens and a good lens to buy. Thank you very much!


Before you start with weddings get as much practice as you can.

Regards equipment for a wedding you need a lot of kit! 2 bodies, standard zooms, 2 flashes and more.... Backup gear is essential and you'll see this posted all over this site.

Regards lenses, I'd suggest getting lenses that do not have a variable maximum aperture. Makes shooting in stressfull situations much easier. Fast lenses are a must have for shooting weddings. portraits in good light can be taken with slower lenses but in order to isolate subjects, a large maximum aperture will also help.

Look at lenses in the 24-70 f2.8 range as a standard zoom and for a telephoto something like a 70-200 f2.8. Yes they are expensive - but they are capable of doing the job. Don't waste money on cheap gear and then find that you struggle.

The XTi camera will be capable of producing good results in the right hands but you also need a lot of time to practice. You should not be looking at weddings without a good grounding on the use of the camera and the use of flash (get a 580EX) unit.

Practice, practice, practice. I know cause I started with a slow lens and immediately knew I needed faster! I now have a couple of bodies and flasheds and a range of decent lenses that help in most situations I find myself in.

Don't forget a fast prime too..... Low light is common at weddings and if you can't use flash you may need a lens faster than even f2.8!

[EOS_JD]

I have done a little bit of children's photography and I have not yet done a wedding yet. The wedding I am doing is for a friend who can't afford much. Do you think I am getting myself into something I shouldn't or do you have any advice on how I can practice to get ready for it? Thanks for all the advice everyone and if you have anymore please keep it coming.


A great way to learn but so long as you advise you are learning. I did my first few for free, built up a small portfolio and I'm still growing and learning.

[m.e.s. photography]

Thankl you I will be taking all that into consideration. Thank you everyone for being so nice to a newcomer and for willingly sharing your advice. I appreciate it.