Lenses for first wedding

The day has come and gone got some fantastic shots will post after i get some through post production.

I've had my canon 60D with a 18-200mm f/3.5 at 18 and f/5.6 at 200m telescopic kit lens since Christmas and i have been in love with it. the 18-200mm has been wonderful for everything I've done thus far. but I have been asked to shoot my sisters wedding <.<;. I have been reading up and the more i do the more i am being told I NEED a faster lens something at least f/2.8 or less.

advice?
edit*
So thus far most are suggesting a 17-55 or a 17-50mm the 17-55mm is a bit to expensive for me. but is really worth the $500+ more? also suggested is to rent but i would kind of rather have the lens so i have it for other events and for personal use. I have pirchased an inexpensice lens and softbox for it. any other sugestions?

edit* if i get either the 17-55 or 17-50 im going for the 17-50. please im still open to any advice though!

edit* 6/26/12
um... wow for those who are actually supportive in the situation, thank you I have the new lens and it seems to be a good one, i was warned about the slightly loud AF but wont be a problem in the reception with the music playing hopefully no OS won't be to big of a deal, don't use it much on my telescopic in wide angles anyway. I tested it out today in love with it's ability to preform in dark situations. went and scoped out locations between the ceremony and reception today will do it again tomorrow should have some decent shots. also got the flash need more practice on that should go over fine.

To those who are hating on me for my limiting knowledge I'm sorry that this situation maybe frustrating and/or funny but in reality my sister and her fiance don't altogether care for these pictures all that much. The difference between you "pros" and me is that my sister would never hire you guys. These pictures won't mean the world to her there important but she could care less for "professional" if it meant saving money. how do i know? because I've spent the last 20 years with her i'm pretty sure that speaks a lot then those of you who have shot weddings for many brides. to those who think I will be super stressed... well I'm glad you know me so well. these people at this wedding are my family and if anything my sister and mom will be more stressed then me heck ill be calming them down. knowing this fact will keep me calm knowing i need to be the calm one in the situation. and believe me if i need to been calm i am. car accidents, emergencies, stressful leadership roles? personally this is where i excel.

All in all I Can't go and rent or buy other lens or second bodies. I have my D60 and two lens my brother and motivation. Thank you for you opinions on the matter but I'm set on equipment. if you wish to voice your opinion on techniques and things of the sorts be my guest.

oh and too who ever high jacked my thread. Good luck buddy make sure you talk to your clients so they know what they are getting into.

Lets hear from the pros, but I think your sister should hire a pro photographer so she can guarantee great shots AND you can enjoy yourself. Come on drink up, it's your sister's wedding! have some fun.

Also as a guest you will be stuck in guest-assigned locations during the ceremony and reception. putting gear aside, photographers get to wander around and get interesting angles. lots of cool photos are taken in inaccessible places, like where the bride gets dressed.

other thoughts anyone?

dingie256 wrote in post #14619448
Lets hear from the pros, but I think your sister should hire a pro photographer so she can guarantee great shots AND you can enjoy yourself. Come on drink up, it's your sister's wedding! have some fun.

Also as a guest you will be stuck in guest-assigned locations during the ceremony and reception. putting gear aside, photographers get to wander around and get interesting angles. lots of cool photos are taken in inaccessible places, like where the bride gets dressed.

other thoughts anyone?

first of all i am her "photographer" i have access to those "inaccessible" locations second im only 20 so i can't "drink up" I'm shooting this wedding and i want to be able to do it with out breaking bank to hard. so does anyone have an opinion on a lens and not just an opinion. also i would not have bought an $1800+ set up if i didn't think photography was not fun.

I would ONLY have lenses 2.8 and faster. I would also need lenses to cover a wide focal range like 18-200. Mulyiple bodies is also a must. It does requite a decent a mount of gear to do a decent job and to be able to capture the good moments.

hallfrisch wrote in post #14619487
first of all i am her "photographer" i have access to those "inaccessible" locations second im only 20 so i can't "drink up" I'm shooting this wedding and i want to be able to do it with out breaking bank to hard. so does anyone have an opinion on a lens and not just an opinion. also i would not have bought an $1800+ set up if i didn't think photography was not fun.

No need to be snippy. Dingie256 was trying to be helpful. While he didn't answer your lens question, he did raise some valid points. Have you ever watched a wedding photographer work before? It looks very stressful.

As far as a lens goes, you will want something fast for those indoor shots. The 50mm 1.8 is a great lens for the money, and will give you some more speed. It certainly doesn't count as a wide angle. See if you can rent a 17-55 IS 2.8 if you're dead set on shooting this yourself. You also need another body as RL. said incase something goes wrong.

RL. wrote in post #14619500
I would ONLY have lenses 2.8 and faster. I would also need lenses to cover a wide focal range like 18-200. Mulyiple bodies is also a must. It does requite a decent a mount of gear to do a decent job and to be able to capture the good moments.

my brother and I are doing this together we have the same set ups i bought a better flash and diffuser and am looksing at a lens for those dark shots at the reception. so 2.8 is the mark. what would you sugest for an amature photographer who will be shooting this wedding and possibly other family/friend events in the future? what lens should i get to compliment my 18-200.

hallfrisch wrote in post #14619487
first of all i am her "photographer" i have access to those "inaccessible" locations second im only 20 so i can't "drink up" I'm shooting this wedding and i want to be able to do it with out breaking bank to hard. so does anyone have an opinion on a lens and not just an opinion. also i would not have bought an $1800+ set up if i didn't think photography was not fun.

My opinion is that your attitude sucks.
Have a nice day.

For low light fast lenses, I would suggest the 50mm f1.4 over the f1.8 since AF does hunt a bit in low light on the 1.8. For wide angle, 28mm f1.8 is good and maybe 85mm f1.8 for more reach.

Like whmetonjr said, 17-55f2.8 would be a good lens to have to zoom a bit.

You said you have a better flash, what are you using? I would also suggest the Canon 430EXII for a flash. It's cheap and has a lot of power. Great for all events.

dingie256 wrote in post #14619448
Lets hear from the pros, but I think your sister should hire a pro photographer so she can guarantee great shots AND you can enjoy yourself. Come on drink up, it's your sister's wedding! have some fun.

whmeltonjr wrote in post #14619504
No need to be snippy. Dingie256 was trying to be helpful. While he didn't answer your lens question.

That's a bit insulting than helpful.

But I will agree with your lens recommendation. The 50 1.8 is such a good/inexpensive lens to use.

@hallfrisch, because if your 18-200 and your flash, that should be all you need. But if you are really looking for a new lens I would suggest renting something like a 24-70mm 2.8 lens for the event.

Not too sure what lens would compliment your Super Zoom

If I were going to shoot weddings I would have 2 bodies, one with a 17-55 2.8 and the other with a 70-200 2.8 but this may not be financially reasonable for someone starting off, but then again investments do payoff in the long run.

A $35 flash is better than your second shooter's? -_____-

I don't shoot weddings but I lurk their forums a lot and feel like I can recommend for your crop setup.

17-50/2.8 (Sigma and Tamron both make versions of this)
28/1.8 or 30/1.4
50/1.8
85/1.8

What is your budget? You don't want to break the bank, but you want to shoot the wedding to the best of your ability right?

I knew someone that shot strictly with a 60 macro and 24-105L on a 40D. She was both very proficient with light and skilled at getting moments.

BUT, had you posted this to the wedding section of this forum, you'd receive even more responses of "Get a Pro to do it." Honestly, from talking to newlyweds and engaged couples, these are some of the most cherished moments of their relationship. I'd hate to be the photographer that completely screwed it up.

Please, please let us know how it goes and what your sister and her new husband think of the images. I am really interested in the outcome. It would be great if you posted a few images here too.

I think the money goes toward hiring a pro is better than buying a new lens from the stand point of your sister. However apparently it seems that she isn't willing to spend a penny to get high quality images.

So I guess after all the images don't really matter that much. I would suggest you getting a flash is enough. You have all focal length covered already. It's probably too expensive to get an actual upgrade. 50mm 1.8 is probably your only choice.
Actually I prefer 35mm F2.0 on crop. (~$200)

Bond_Savingsbond wrote in post #14619537
That's a bit insulting than helpful.

But I will agree with your lens recommendation. The 50 1.8 is such a good/inexpensive lens to use.

@hallfrisch, because if your 18-200 and your flash, that should be all you need. But if you are really looking for a new lens I would suggest renting something like a 24-70mm 2.8 lens for the event.

Not too sure what lens would compliment your Super Zoom

I dont think its insulting. Its wedding they talking about. Once in a lifetime. Everyone hope for the best right?
We dont see photographer bring kit lens to wedding. Plus its going to be insufficient light unless the wedding
Is going to be under a open field in the bright sunny day
If not, i would not recommend 50mm f1.8 as its slow in focusing. Especially when the guest is going to move about.

If i would have to say, it would be rent a 24-70mm f2.8 as well as 70-200mm f2.8 IS II.
Anything wider than 24, just use kit with flash.

You will need a flash for "those dark shots at the reception." An f/2.8 lens is not fast, only faster than most lenses. You might get by with an f/1.4 or f/1.8 lens if the setting is not very dark - don't bet on it. The thin DOF at f/1.4 could result in some terrible shots if very close to the subject.

A 50mm lens is not a wide angle lens, even 30mm is not wide on a crop camera. Gut feeling is you would be better served with spending money on a good flash instead of a $35 flash and another lens.

Good luck.