What's the best lens for Wedding photography?

[canonikon]

what are the best lenses to use for wedding photography? L lenses?

[new_hype]

not a wedding photographer but i would guess 70-200 and a 24-70

[mminnig]

It is going to depend entirely on your shooting style. Some will swear entirely by a nice set of Primes. Some will shoot only with Zooms. It will also depend on whether you are using a crop sensor or a full frame body.

We have been using 40Ds lately and shoot 95% percent of our shots with either the 17-55 2.8 IS or the 70-200 2.8 IS. The other 5% is our 50 1.4 and the 100 2.8 Macro.

[Ralph Merlino]

I use the 24-70 2.8 for most of the wedding pictures. I also
use a 50mm 1.4 .

[Mike414]

A lot of good info here:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=223263

....you can also check the bottom of this page for related threads

Mike

[BLURLT2]

i agree on the 24-70 f/2.8L...

[zincozinco]

i got by a wedding using 85% of the time a 24mm on a 1.3 =35mm and a 85 on FF, guess its all about your style

[aebrown]

Like others say, 24-70 and 70-200. You want that 2.8 in low light situations, which is why the 24-105 (despite the longer focal length) is less used (at least from what i gather in general wedding chit chat on here...

Having a prime in there is always good something around f/1.4, when things get a lot darker and you have something like a 40d or 50d where higher ISO performance isn't quite as good as a FF sensor.

I'm not wedding photog, but there are some things that just make sense given all the different sorts of situations you will encounter in a wedding.

[TylerCP]

In all honesty, if you don't know the answer to that question maybe weddings aren't your forte.

[stathunter]

not a wedding photographer but i would guess 70-200 and a 24-70
As a wedding photographer I agree with this. But there is MUCH more to wedding photography then a few pieces of equipment. It is not like photographing your pet -- there to TONS more you have to have all together at the same time -- no do-over in weddings.

[David_J]

I use the 24-70 and 70-200...but would really like to add the 35L or 85L to add that something special.

[InnerSong]

In all honesty, if you don't know the answer to that question maybe weddings aren't your forte.


hell of a thing to say, cause you obviously came out of the womb, at a wedding, with a camera in your hand and attached was an arsenal of L series, and knew just what to do...
dude you rock.

[gazza1201]

I use the 24-70 f2.8, and 50mm f1.4 mostly. Buying a 70-200 f2.8 at the moment.

[jcolman]

24 1.4L & 85 1.8 are my two main lenses. They get used 60-70% of the time. The 70-200 2.8IS is next. Then the 50 1.4 and 16-35 2.8 after that. Finally, my 90 macro for ring shots. I'm thinking of adding a 45 TS-E lens to my bag.

[Joelene]

Like most of the posters above me, I use the 24-70mm 2.8. I find you can actually pull off a simple wedding with just this lens. All though I use my 50mm, 70-300, 16-35 and lens baby. All good toys to have at a wedding.

[KIP]

I recently shot my first wedding, and was absolutely thrilled with the results of the 70-200 f/2.8 IS. It was perfect for the ceremony. The rest I shot with the 24-70mm based on recommendation, but since I was also shooting with a flash I probably would have been fine something else also, the f/2.8 did not come in handy this time. (Note, I own the 70-200, rented the 24-70.)

[Michaelmjc]

While everyone loves the 24-70mm and 70-200mm... I cant get enough of the 24mm 1.4L and 85mm 1.2L. In my opinion, nothing comes close.

[ootsk]

I use a 15 2.8, a 20-35 2.8 (old one), a 50 1.4, and the 70-200 2.8 IS. Oh, and a lensbaby.

I recently shot a wedding for a company that also sent me an assistant. Their best lens was a 5.6 zoom of mid range. The shots just didn't compare when the light got low. It was all flash-driven photos...not nearly as much ambient light, so the photos looked more like snapshots than good photos. I actually like the 50 prime for a few reasons. First, it rocks...so sharp it's scary. Second, it forces me to look at the scene differently. Too often I get into the "rules" of photos...crop at thighs, not shins...get the whole body.....don't crop here, don't crop there..etc. The prime makes me get what I can, when I can, and often times it's a better picture than if I were to follow the "rules". It helps me with my weak points by not being able to zoom out.

[vpnd]

24-70, 70-200, 85 1.2 , and a super wide like the 17-40 or 16-35. that would be my dream setup... wait, I must be dreaming then because my backpack is real heavy.

[picturecrazy]

I'm guessing you are a novice at wedding shooting, and maybe a novice at photography in general if you are asking this question. You've not provided us much information at all to go on. So we can only make assumptions.

I'm also assuming you have a 50D, judging from your avatar.

Then I will suggest a 17-55 first and foremost, and a 70-200 F/2.8 IS. With those two lenses you are set to rock it hard. The 17-55 is a lens that makes it as EASY AS POSSIBLE for the photographer to get solid images. Focus is fast, focus is accurate, IS gives you some forgiveness for slow shutter speeds, image quality is absolutely top notch. It's a real winner. I'm not going to suggest the 24-70L. There is more copy variance, focus is much slower, no IS makes is less forgiving for non-ideal settings. The 24-70L is the least used lens in my bag.

I also do NOT suggest going out there shooting with primes only. Seriously, get the stuff that will make it as easy as possible for you to do a solid job. I very happily use the 17-55 at every wedding... it's definitely pro grade performance.

[amonline]

LOL Lloyd beat me to it. No one has asked what you shoot, but I agree...

On crop, the 17-55 rocks better than any L IMO. It was my absolute favorite lens when I was in the xxD series. I miss it badly. It basically is L quality, just fitted for EF-s. My 24-105 was my least used as well.

Basically, if you can get a 17-55 and a 70-200L, you're in outstanding shape to get started. (this is not mentioning light, backups, etc) ;)

For primes, I'd recommend the 60mm and 85 1.8. The 60 truly is a hidden gem in the crop world. It's great for much more than just macro. They're both great to have. The 85 is a no-brainer. I used them at receptions as much as any other lens, but I also agree that primes only on a crop would be an incredible challenge.

[madhatter04]

I've started shooting weddings (during an absence from these forums) and would have to say I get 98% of my shots with the 35L and 70-200L. The other 2% come from my 50mm f/1.4. Yeah, I'm a prime guy, so ymmv. I'm finding myself not too fond of the 24-70L for much of anything... it doesn't suit my style at all :(

[canonikon]

thank you everyone for the posts, after reading all your posts I went and bought myself a 70-200mm f/4L. Now...what's the next thing I should get...

[amonline]

Aiming for weddings? A second camera - just for starters. :D But I'd also say triggers, a second flash, stands... the list is endless. Just prioritize and build as you can.