The Great WEDDING LENS thread!

Hello Everyone,

I would first like to introduce myself as a new member; my name is David MacVicar and I am from Cape Breton Island, Canada. I have spent numerous hours browsing this forum (mostly the wedding photography section) in search of great information that will help me in my first wedding shots.

Please don't flame, but I HAVE done the research in what lenses would be the best. I am still confused tho; as a photographer/student on a budget, I am lacking some of the funds that will get me the 70-200 f/2.8 canon lense that would be perfect for a wedding. So would a seasoned poster please respond with a list of REQUIRED focal range lenses needed to do a wedding justice?

Currently I am shooting with a Canon D. Rebel XTi with the kit lens and a Sigma 70-300 tele/maco lens. I got a possible offer on a Canon 28-135mm lens with IS for cheap. Would this be a good all around wedding lens?

Thanks so much in advance, I love all your posts and information...

Dave

Welcome to the forum.

There is no 'required' focal lengths...it depends on your own style.

Unless you are outdoors in bright light...your 70-300 will be pretty much useless, IMO. The kit lens is a good 'normal' focal range...but it's also slow (small maximum aperture) and not really the best quality...especially if you are being paid.

On a budget, prime lenses will give you speed and quality at a lower price. The Sigma 50mm F1.4 gets a lot of attention...and the nifty fifty (EF 50mm F1.8 ) is very inexpensive and of pretty good optical quality. The 85mm F1.8 is not too expensive, but is supposed to be a pretty great lens.

If you do want/need a zoom...getting one with a maximum aperture of F2.8 will really be a big benefit for weddings. They can be expensive though.

As for the 28-135...IS is nice...but it won't freeze motion...and it's not a very fast lens.

Don't forget, that for weddings...you will probably need a good flash...and that you will need two of everything.

I agree that the 50 1.8 if you are on a budget can get you great pictures, I love my tamron 28-75 2.8 and know it to be an excellent portrait lens, if you need wider you could use the kit lens.

Thanks for the reply big mike....

Why do you need 2 of everything? I know weddings can be hectic and fast paced, but do I really need two camera bodies/two of the same lenses etc....? Basically, I have 8GB of CF cards and I have 2 lithium-ion batteries. I am pretty close to purchasing the 580ex speedlite.....

If i get the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, will that do justice to the wide shots for groups and bridal parties? I was thinking my 18-55 would be a better lens for that kind of application, yes/no? I am new, please help! hahaha

Dave

I will agree that there are no "rules" when it comes to photography. There are basic fundamentals but within those you develop your own style and use them more as a guideline.

I have some favorites for doing weddings. EF24-105, EF135 f/2, EF85 f/1.2. On occasion I will use my 70-200 f/2.8 IS and my 16-35 f/2.8. Most of these are not on the low end of the price point spectrum. the only 3rd party lens that I have is the Tamron 28-75 which is an excellent lens for the price, at least my version of it.

As you develop your style it will dictate what type of gear you need. I don't do allot of high ISO shooting at weddings so I don't get allot of the very wide lenses.

Welcome to the forum. Enjoy your stay. There is lots to learn here from some very excellent photographers.

If budget is of concern...
I would go with the Sigma 30 1.4, Canon 50mm 1.4, and Canon 85mm 1.8. It'll still be over C$1000 but that's still a lot less than the 17-55 IS which is a wedding photographer's dream lens.
You can get an entire wedding done relatively comfortably with these lenses, but when you have enough cash to get the fast zooms, these are lenses that you will want to KEEP to complement your zooms. Most wedding photographers here carry a couple of fast primes to each wedding no matter how great their zooms are.

And I definitely wouldn't go to a wedding without TWO cameras and TWO flashes. What are you going to do if your camera dies in the middle of the ceremony? And don't even say it's not likely.... just about everyone here has had a camera lock up at a critical moment. I swear when you use these cameras in severe service (i.e. a wedding) it brings out the worst in them.

I could not be any less please with teh 28-135 IS. But that just me

16-35 / 24-70 or 24-105 / 70-200 / some kind of fast prime.

Corey, does that mean you like the 28-135 or not? I'm sorry, but that double negative threw me.

I had the 28-135 IS for wedding photography for more than a year before coming to the forum. After looking at the other choices out there, I thought that lens was a good purchase and it was on my 10D, very useful. It sometimes doesn't get sharp pictures, some can be soft, not all. I've had many good photos, so I can't say it is soft all the time, but for $400, it's a good lens. If you want it and you are on a budget, by all means, use it!

Sheldon's comment about the "best" lenses for professional use is really out of reach for most students and hobbiests. I was not in that league until I made the decision to really spend a lot of money this year. I work, so I make some money to cover the costs. Don't be sucked into the money pit while you are a student. Buy what you can afford, experiment with the lenses and get the best out of them. If I were you, I'd get the 50 1.4 for $300. It's a great lens and I use it for portraits at weddings. It is extremely easy to use and just great indoors in low light. But if you don't have that kind of money, get the 50 1.8. For $79 or less, you will be surprised how useful it is. Good luck and post a few things for us.

Everyone,

Thanks so much for your replies. Your wealth of knowledge means more to me than ANYTHING right now!

I actually went out today and bought the 50mm f/1.8 lens at my local camera shop. Its not the 1.4, but I am sure I can get away with it for a while until I make a few more bucks. I am actually booked for 4 weddings in my locale! hahaha....Maybe I can afford mroe lenses after that...

So you say the 17-55 IS is the 'dream' lens for wedding photographers? Crazy, I'll have to look into it.

I won't post any pics just yet, but please browse around my deviant art gallery to get an idea of my skill level to date: I thank ya in advance if you browse over and critique me. I just bought my first DSLR about a month ago.

http://xmacvicar.devia​ntart.com/gallery

There are many opinions on what lens is all around anything. But I like to use my 24-70 at weddings because it scares everyone.

I'd say the Canon 24-70L has many fans among wedding photographers. Equally, many started with the Tamron 28-75 although I do know one guy started with a Rebel and a kit lens.

xmacvicar wrote in post #2240476
So you say the 17-55 IS is the 'dream' lens for wedding photographers? Crazy, I'll have to look into it.

yeah, if you have no concerns about full frame compatibility.... it's the lens of choice. It outperformed my 24-70L in almost everything in regards to weddings.

But in the meantime... seriously, learn a LOT, get out and practice like mad because somebody's wedding is NOT an environment to 'get familiar' and 'learn the ropes' as a primary shooter.

And we're serious about the second body. Don't show up without one!

Know several of those myself. Remember, we can't argue about whether it's the photographer or the gear. Done that about 100 times since I came on board.

xmacvicar wrote in post #2239782
Thanks for the reply big mike....

Why do you need 2 of everything? I know weddings can be hectic and fast paced, but do I really need two camera bodies/two of the same lenses etc....?Dave

Two of the same lens might be overkill...but lenses do break and/or stop working...so two lenses should be minimum. Two bodies and two flashes should be your minimum. Maybe all you need to do, is to borrow or rent an extra on the wedding day...but if you are being paid...you have to deliver. Just saying "sorry, my camera broke" will not cut it. Weddings are a once in a life-time event (or at least they should be)

That lens, on your camera will probably not be good for group shots...unless you want to be 50 feet away from them. However, wide lenses will distort the edges...so telephoto may look better. Although, for other things...it would be a very nice lens.

SuzyView wrote in post #2240380
Corey, does that mean you like the 28-135 or not? I'm sorry, but that double negative threw me.

sorry, typing on the blackberry and rationale thoughts don't always go hand in hand.

I broke my 50 1.8, and went to buy the 1.4 version, but the saleman talked me into the 28-135. My dad had one, and quite liked it, so I bought it. In a couple months of use I never got a sharp picture. I had extreme loss of detail in teh corners, distortion at 28-35mm on a 1.6x body, and an all around hatred for it. So I sold it, and of course UPS broke it in transit, and it took months before I was reimbursed.

In talking with my proffessors at Brooks, they also had similar experiences with it. Consumer lenses and adding image stabilization doesn't make it a quality lens. I'd take teh Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 anyday over the Canon 28-135.

Realistically, the 24-105L and 24-70 are the way to go. I find that focal length boring and prefer UWA and extrme tele lengths, but for weddings you often need a mid range zoom and those are the best available.