Wedding Lense?

[acrephoto]

I've been using my 20D for weddings in the past while. I have the 18-55mm kit lense, the 50 f1.8 lense, and the 55-200 f4.5-5.6 Lense. I'm looking to replace the 18-55mm kit lense with somethine better. I was thinking about the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 . But what I'm looking for is suggestions from other wedding photographers on what works. I would like to have something that will be good for ceremony (indoor) shots as well as outdoor. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Wrench]

I know the 28-135 IS is a good all around lense. Seems as it would be good for weddings too. Make sure you get a good flash to go with it. The built in flash will only get you so far.

[robertwgross]

If I had to shoot weddings using only one single lens, it would be my 28-135 IS lens.

---Bob Gross---

[acrephoto]

The 28-135 IS has a f-stop of 3.5-5.6 Don't you think the Sigma 24-70 has an advantage with the f 2.8 ?

[drewmk2]

Tamron 28-75 or that sigma would suit you well.

[acrephoto]

Yeah I've been doing a bit of research and they say that the Sigma 24-70 is a good lense, some even say it is comparable to the Canon 24-70 L lense. Now I'm not too sure about that because we all know the quality of the L lenses. But I thought I would post here to get some wedding photographers advice. We'll have to see what else people have to say.

[JeffJensen]

Until Canon (or someone) produces a 20-135/2.0 (or thereabouts) - there is no single wedding lens for contemporary wedding coverage. I currently carry a Sigma 20/1.8 and Sigma 70-200/2.8 on two bodies (I shoot 90% available light). It's a compromise - carry two (as many do) or settle for using flash with someting like the 28-135 - or use a 24-70/2.8 and move as necessary.

[CyberPet]

I can't claim to be a pro at weddings, but I find that I use my Tamron 28-75/2.8 and my Canon 80-200/2.8 most of the time. Right now I wish I could afford another body so I didn't have to switch lenses all the time. Maybe next year. :)

[93octane]

My brother is all he does is wedding and such events and he gets away with the canon 28-105mm.

[AjP]

I did few wedding with 28-135 IS and 50 1.4, 28-135 it is ok with good light condition, but in low light, really slow focusing, the best for wedding and it what I'm getting for myself (from canon, u might get sigma or something esle)

canon 16-35 2.8 L
canon 24-70 2.8 L
canon 70-200 2.8 L IS
and may be few more for portraits like 50 1.4 or 80 1.8
u might not agree, this is just my personal experience and option.

[acrephoto]

Thanks everyone, and if anyone else has an opinion please respond.

[robertwgross]

I guess all good wedding photographers need to have one relatively fast lens. By that, I mean at least f/2.8 or lower number. And it should be one of the medium focal lengths or zooms.

With that, you can do a good job of isolating a posed group away from the background. You can still do that with a slower lens, but not so easily or fully.

Also, lots of weddings happen in a church, and most churches have dim lighting. For dim lighting, you may be using flash, or you may want to work with ambient light only, so the faster lens becomes essential.

I have used longer lenses (e.g. up to 200mm or so), but those are mostly at the wedding reception. When the B&G are going for the first dance, I like to stay back off the dance floor and shoot long. Then I like to sneak out onto the dance floor and lightly touch them on the hand. They will each turn to see what caused that, and I SNAP the shot up close. As a result, it is nice to have a zoom for long to short.

---Bob Gross---