The Ultimate Wedding Lens Recommendation Thread

Lenses most recommended by wedding photographers:

This list was compiled to help the newbies out there looking for "the most recommended [fill in the blank] wedding lens". Lenses with a + (cropped) or a * (FF) ranks as most recommended. i might as well add that the most recommended wedding body is the EOS 5D <------ that can be quite contested here ... but thats another thread.

ultra-wide / wide angle
Sigma 12-24 f4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM $699.85
+ Tokina 12-24 f4 AT-X Pro DX (cropped body only) $509.35
Canon EF-S 10-22 f3.5-4.5 USM (cropped body only) $700.35
* Canon 16-35 f2.8 L USM $1,341.90
Canon 17-40 f4 L USM $665.40

medium telephoto
+ Canon EF-S 17-55 f2.8 IS USM (cropped body only) $1,011.85
*** also consider the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 Xr Di II (cropped body only) $458.40
* Canon EF 24-70 f2.8 L USM $1,108.85 ($1074.95) with the B&H PSJAN0724 discount code (c/o Jeff Solenberg)
Sigma 24-70 f2.8 EX DG $377.52 [sigma4less.com]
Tamron 28-75 f2.8 XR Macro $387.90

telephoto
Canon 70-200 f2.8 L non IS USM $1,112.75
* Canon 70-200 f2.8 L IS USM $1,716.70
Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX DG HSM Macro $799.44 [sigma4less.com]
*** also consider the Sigma 50-150 f2.8 EX DC HSM (cropped body only) $689.85

macro
* Canon 100mm f2.8 USM Macro $468.40
Sigma 105mm f2.8 EX DG Macro $362.52

primes
Sigma 30mm f1.4 EX DC HSM $372.34 [sigma4less.com]
Canon 35mm f1.4 L $1,132.85
Canon 50mm f1.4 $317.45
Canon 85mm f1.8 $348.85
Canon 85mm f1.2 L $1,765.35
Canon 135mm f2 L $911.95 [adorama.com]

** all primes in this list are highly recommended.

**** Prices are good as of 02/21/2007, based on B&H Photo unless specified. ****


feel free to correct this list, but this is what ive been reading off the forums.

mods, if this belongs to the wedding forums, please feel free to move. Thanks!

You forgot the Canon 16-35mm F2.8 L

GOOD ONE JACOB! also the 17-40L ... i think it'll help if i put B&H prices right next to them too ....

Canon EF 24-70 f2.8 L < I want this one so badly ... it'd hve to wait til next year though ...

I think the 24-70L or the 17-55 would be the two most popular

No primes?

Would you rule out the 24-105 f4 L IS?

egghead wrote in post #2750827
No primes?

Definetly primes, the 50 F/1.4 and 85 F/1.8 are two affordable and excellent wedding lenses

Jeff Solenberg wrote in post #2750828
Would you rule out the 24-105 f4 L IS?

For outdoor wedding, most certainly, but for indoor/low light weddings, not so much unless your using flash

im not ruling out anything Jeff. but based on the forums, these are the lenses that are most recommended for weddings.

and yes, PRIMES TOO!!!

What about the new 70-200 f4 IS.I was looking at samples on photobase site and the quality is stunning and looks to me almost better than the 2.8.

same deal with Jeff's 24-105 post, and they still might get on the list if more members ask for it, but i think that being f4, they might be too slow for dimly lit churches. remember, this is the " most recommended wedding lens" thread. im sure both lenses are perfect when coupled with a flash.

You should add the Sigma 30MM f/1.4 EX...I bought this lens to use with my 1.6 crop bodies at weddings and other indoors events as I found the Canon 50MM f/1.4 EF a tad long. the Sigma 30MM is fast, tack sharp with great color and contrast.

another good one Jim!

I'm glad you added the prices. That make it very helpful.

youre welcome Jeff! whoa! 501 posts, i can now post in G&N!!! LOL!