Lenses for 40D?

I flip-flopped between the XSi and the 40D for quite some time and I have finally decided to go with the 40D for a number of reasons. I will be doing outdoor engagement, family/baby sessions and a friend has approached me about doing her wedding next year. This will be my first "real" camera and I know absolutely nothing about lenses.

I will probably just purchase a kit but I don't know which would be best for me and I also would like to get another lens or 2 that may be better quality than what comes in kits. Based on what I want/plan to do (engagement, family, seniors, weddings, etc.) what would be some good lenses to get me started?

Ashnicole331 wrote in post #6258638
I flip-flopped between the XSi and the 40D for quite some time and I have finally decided to go with the 40D for a number of reasons. I will be doing outdoor engagement, family/baby sessions and a friend has approached me about doing her wedding next year. This will be my first "real" camera and I know absolutely nothing about lenses.

Uh, why does your friend want a non-photographer to shoot her wedding? Buying a camera does not confer skills. I'm not trying to be harsh, but all the people out their shooting portraits and weddings will surely point out that owning a decent camera is only the very first tiny step towards being competent.

I might be wrong (maybe you are doing a lot with a P&S?) but your current goals seem ambitious for someone who knows very little about lenses.

For what you want to do (especially the portrait work) you need to dedicate most of your budget to a quality lighting set-up. This is a huge and confusing topic, so I suggest you start by visiting the flash and small studio lighting forum.

Standard rig for a wedding photographer using a 1.6X body is:
EF-S 17-55/2.8 IS USM
EF 70-200/2.8 IS USM
and a backup body, backup lens in the wide-normal range.
Some photographers also like a fast prime in the 50 to 85mm range
Some also like to have a macro lens for ring shots, though you can probably make do with the 70-200 and an extension.

You will also need spare batteries, plenty of CF cards.

I didn't realize that I needed to post my "skills" in order to ask a question about lenses. I have been able to do a lot with my P&S and I have started a blog and have gotten a lot of people interested, yes including a wedding, just from that. I have been interested in photography for a long time and I decided to finally take the step of buying a camera. I am not charging for these since I am only building a portfolio right now. I am looking into some classes and I have been shadowing a well known photographer from my area who has given me great advice...including about lenses, I just wanted some second opinions.

Maybe next time I'll post my resume before I ask for some simple recommendations.

Ashnicole331 wrote in post #6258857
I didn't realize that I needed to post my "skills" in order to ask a question about lenses. I have been able to do a lot with my P&S and I have started a blog and have gotten a lot of people interested, yes including a wedding, just from that. I have been interested in photography for a long time and I decided to finally take the step of buying a camera. I am not charging for these since I am only building a portfolio right now. I am looking into some classes and I have been shadowing a well known photographer from my area who has given me great advice...including about lenses, I just wanted some second opinions.

Maybe next time I'll post my resume before I ask for some simple recommendations.

Ne need to be so defensive. Looking at your original post, you asked a totally wide open "what lenses" question and you stated that you have never owned a nice camera before. It reads like you don't have much photographic knowledge.

Plus you seem to have skipped this:

Why not tell us what lenses you are specifically looking at and people can discuss their pros and cons.

But honestly.....you say 'I've never owned a nice camera, I want to start shooting the high pressure world of weddings, what should I buy?' and then are offended when you are questioned?

Also, you were so busy getting offended you seem to have missed that I did try and take a stab at your open ended question. Nothing there?

Well, I didn't ask to be questioned about skills. I asked what lenses would be recommended for what I plan to do. And your "uh..." statement really threw me. I asked simple questions for some lens recommendations not for a post to try to prove myself...that's all.

It's not as if I'm shooting a wedding tomorrow, it's over a year away. I don't expect to be an expert photographer in a year but I want to learn everything I can and grow a business. I have had a lot of great input and just received a letter from the couple that I did an engagement session with telling me how happy they were and that they will be recommending me to all of their friends. From that I have booked yet another engagement session and 2 more family sessions (all outdoors..I don't do the studio thing).

I want to further myself, so I am taking the most important step of buying a good camera. I will look into some classes so I can learn more about what the heck I'm doing.

It's enough to point out that there as dSLR cameras have become more affordable there have been several stories of not so qualified people jumping in to weddings. I was simply asking. Let's drop that and get back to the original question.

Since you are not planning to shoot events right now, you can skip having backup stuff for the moment. All of your shooting will be of people.

I would suggest looking at the following items:

EF-S 17-55/2.8 or EF 24-70/2.8L. The former is a better lens for all around shooting, but if you are only planning to shoot portraits the 24-70 is nicer due to the long end. The problem is that if you get the 24-70 and later start shooting weddings you will find the 24mm end to not be wide enough for table shots, groups and bride getting ready stuff.

If you get the 17-55, team it with the EF 85/1.8. This is a nice fast prime that will be excellent for head and shoulders shots, and for when you really need to blur out a background.

That will do it for lenses. If you eventually shoot weddings you will also need a telephoto, but you can wait on that. The 70-200/2.8 IS is the best choice, but it is also very heavy and a little expensive.

I also think you should consider lighting. Even outdoors, there is no way to better improve portraits than with off-camera flash. A very cheap lens like the Canon EF-S 18-55 IS is adequate for portraits provided one can control the light. All you would really need is an ST-E2, 430EX, a light stand, clamp and umbrella.

1. 17-55 IS or 17-50 2.8 - general, group shots, etc.
2. 85 1.8 - portraits

You're sure they don't plan on going indoors? Reception? Dinner? Plan ahead of time to know if you'll need artificial lighting. A 580EX is a must.

Congrats on new camera ! I think JeffryG is just trying to help. I was asked to do a wedding not long after I got a 30D. I did it. Sure, I got a few good shots, but certainly did not capture the event like it should've been. I would suggest offering yourself as a secondary photographer. I do regret being the only photographer. On to Lenses.

I started out with the Tameron 28-75 f/2.8. Great lens for the money. I upgraded to the 24-70L for portraits now. Love it ! I use the 70-200 f/2.8 for a lot of events. Gives me some flexibility. I like to capture natural behavior from afar. Anyway, good luck and good shooting.

i applaud JeffreyG for his patience and good advice

If you are planing to stay on a crop body, the tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (370$) is the way to go for a walkaround lens! It's sharp and fast with good contrast and color. The only "problem" with this lens is that it's not usm/hsm so it make some noise while focusing. Not a real problem tho!

You might want to consider a fast prime (or more) for low light situation (church, reception, inside any home, etc). On my 20d, I use my 35mm f/2 (200$) for group shot and full body shot, 50mm f/1.4 (300$) or 50mm f/1.8 (100$) for close up portrait and my 85mm f/1.8 (300$) for head shots.

Welcome to the wonderful world of DSLR!

I have been learning from a local (popular) wedding photographer for the last year or so and preparing to start shooting weddings. I have also read as much as I can on the subject. Heres a take on the situation. I was where you are now just a short time ago and once you start seriously delving into wedding photography as a whole there is alot more to consider than you may think.

I agree with above posts that JeffreyG is just trying to help. I think you may have taken a little too much offense to his questions. Its all well and good for someone to say that they understand that you are not a pro/semi-pro wedding photographer and that they have seen your work and think it'll be fine....its a whole other thing when things go horribly wrong and they happy couple ends up without the expected memories of what was a very important day in their life. I obviously haven't seen your blog, but can probably safely assume you post your "good" pictures on there. People who see this will expect ALL your pictures (of their wedding) to be "good" pictures, and they very well may be, but then again they may not.

Its fine to ask what lenses you should buy and even plan on getting the good lenses for indoor use if you need it, but as mentioned you might want to get a good flash as well. Planning ahead is a must for weddings and planning for every scenario is a must as well. Its not enough that the bride and groom decide they don't need any indoor shots because some things are out of your and their control. I notice you said that you do most of your stuff outdoors, which will work well for you if mother nature shines favourably upon you and the bride and groom. Now if the skys open up and its a total downpour you must do all of your shoot inside and be adaptable to that eventuality.

Another thing I don't see mentioned is if you have a backup body and lens? JeffreyG is 100% right in saying that you need one even if its a reliable rental body and medium range lens. Life is unpredictable and you don't want to end up having some camera body failure or accident at a time when getting a replacement to continue your wedding shoot isn't possible...picture accidently tripping over something (not saying your clumsy) and your body and 17-55 falls to the ground smashing the lens and damaging the body.....now (even if you rented that backup body) you are stuck doing everything else with the 70-200 that was recommended. A beautiful lens, but certainly needs some room to work with and is not best suited to every shot.

I have done portraits, engagment shoots etc etc. All stuff that can be done again if something goes wrong and so far it hasn't, but I would be remiss not to acknowledge the fact that it could happen. I, for now, refuse to do weddings alone because I do not want to bear the sole responsibility of failing to capture all those "once in a lifetime" (hopefully) memories. I am starting weddings next spring, but only as a second photographer assisting a semi-pro wedding photographer who has been in the business for 10+ yrs..and I am still ensuring I have my own backup body and lenses.

I am not questioning your skill....you may have the best eye ever to hit the wedding business (I can't say because I haven't seen your work), but if something does go wrong are you comfortable being able to sit the couple down and tell them that the only pictures they now have of their wedding day are coming from Uncle Eddies disposable camera? Just kidding...trying to lighten the mood. You get my point though.

Another tip if you don't mind it? Theres lots a websites out there that list the "typical" wedding day shots that most people expect to get. Start browsing through them and seeing what looks good and committing them to memory, maybe even give them a twist and give the couple something unique but with a traditional feel to it. Learn what shots you want to get ahead of time if possible. You'll be alot more comfortable and the bride and groom will feel alot better and look more relaxed if they know you have a handle on things. I was at a wedding recently and watched a photographer who looked as if he was making poses and positions up as he went. He didn't exactly inspire confidence in those he was shooting and they were not able to let themselves relax and have fun with their wedding shoot, and it showed in the prints.

Others have addressed the lens issue. Let me address this one: I have been in situations where I have been asked to photograph an event. When I've told people that I don't do formal weddings, they say, "That's okay. We want casual shots." Inevitably there was a particular pose or type of photo that they wanted, which I did not give them. Many clients will not realize it, but wedding pictures cover a lot of territory, not the least of which is "making me look as beautiful as I feel." Photographs also document the event and the attendees. A wedding professional will sit with the client and specifically identify all the shots that they want. It becomes part of the contract.

As somebody who is new to wedding photography, are you familiar with the full range of poses that people like to see? I confess that I'm not.

Put in your shoes, I would tell my friend to get a professional to take the formal shots and I would serve as the second shooter to capture the "moments".

I might as well throw in another question: Jef suggested ST-E2 and a flash... does that mean to suggest flash off-camera? Any reason why on-camera is not a good idea?

You may also see if you can "tag along" with a willing wedding photographer in your area. Tell him/her that you are willing to shoot candid for free as a second or third camera, and get a feel for what is going on around you....poses, interacting with the couple/wedding party/family, the pace of the day, locations etc etc. You could agree that the rights to whatever you shoot becomes that of the photographer your shadowing and just use the time to get free valuable advice and knowledge from someone with wedding experience

wheww. this thread is smoking!