help with wedding photos

[biggin]

I just got my 20d this week and was wanting to get a few suggestions on what would be a good, but not to expensive, lens choice for shooting weddings with flash and without flash in low light conditions. Any help would be very much appreciated! I have read the sticky on top 10 lens choices but not much there as far as wedding photography.

-Biggin-
-20d
-420 flash
-g3

[Todd Jacobsen]

You want a "FAST" lens. That means large apeture (which means low "f-stop number). The faster the lens, the better it is in low light.

FAST lens recommendations:
50 f1.8 or 50 f1.4
85 f1.8
24-70L f2.8

Some people like 70-200L f2.8 but space is a requirement (ie distance from subjects).

[biggin]

thanks for your input. The 24-70 lf2-8, where and how much can I get that for? any suggestionsfor the best price?

[robertwgross]

For normal wedding photography, you will use focal lengths from about 40mm to about 80mm most commonly (assuming a 1.6 factor). Once in a while, you will have group shots wider, but I have never had to go wider than 20mm. Once in a while, you will have some candid across-the-reception-dance-floor shoot at 150 or 200mm. Basically, it is the middle ranges that are used most commonly, including for portraits.

---Bob Gross---

[Philip]

If I am going to shoot formals at F8 why do I need a fast lens. I am probably shooting at the sweet spot of a less expensive lens.

[tim]

Candids shot with large apertures will blur the background and highlight the main subject.

I STRONGLY suggest you buy a book on photography, and a book on wedding photography, before you try taking photos of a wedding. I don't mean to offend, but If you have to ask questions like these then you're probably not ready.

[Columbus Photo]

would a 17-85 IS USM be better for faster focusing of candids? or what about a 28-135 IS USM? If your using a flash one of these lenses would work ok for a wedding correct? I'm just asking because I don't know!

[tim]

USM will focus faster than non-usm lenses. The other use of "faster" means a wider aperture, which gives a narrower depth of field (ie blurred background). You'll want F2.8 or better to be able to do that well.

Either of those lenses will fine if you don't need a narrow DOF.

[Columbus Photo]

I agree..For me its a concern of both speed factors. USM and "f" factor..

[tim]

My Tamron 28-75 isn't as fast as USM, but it's fine. Other factors are more important in most of my photos: how well braced I am (monopod/tripod/against a wall), subject movement, composition, etc, make much more difference.

[Maureen Souza]

I use my 50mm/1.4 and Tamron 28-75/2.8 primarily. My next wide angle purchase will be the 16-35/L.........