Good Wedding Lens

What lens would you all suggest me for my first wedding. I'm looking for something decently priced that will most benefit me doing a wedding. My current gear setup is 400D, kit lens, and 50mm f.1.8. What single lens would you suggest? Long? Wide? Any other gear tips are welcome as well. Thank you.

70-200 2.8 IS

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I hope you are doing this as a guest and not getting paid? You'll need a hell of a lot more gear to do it right....... Think if something happens to your calera or flash (I hope you do have a flash?)

You need a range of focal lengths during a wedding and a couple of bodies so you don't have to keep changing lenses all the time. Lenses should be fast and cover 17-200 range.

17-55 f2.8 IS/24-70 f2.8 (or maybe even a 24-105 f4L IS) and also a fast long zoom like the 70-200 f2.8L IS

Sure you can do it with less but without backup equipment you (and your clients) are taking a big risk.

If shooting as a guest get a good zoom that covers wide to telephoto. Practice practice practice.

What do you consider decently priced? I mean, I consider the above mentioned lens for $1350-$1450 a decently priced lens lol. Seriously though, what's your price limit? That is usually the biggest factor in choosing a lens. Your 50 is excellent for low-light weddings if you have time to zoom with your feet...

A second shooter.

I would suggest the 135mm f/2L and at least the 430 EX II flash. You can do group shots with the kit lens and flash. You'll need fast lenses for when you can't use flash.

BTW: This is the photo sharing section... this belongs in the talk section.

See the Wedding FAQ.

Ditto the above comments, but for me, if I could only take one, it'd be my 24-105.

I do have a 430 EX II Flash. I forgot to mention it. And yes, this is for a friend.

Thanks for the help. The wedding will be in a small town church. So I'll probably need something fast.

I was thinking $500 reasonable. haha Maybe not...

28-135mm IS if you're on a tight budget. But it's not going to be great in low light, though I did shoot my first wedding entirely with that lens and it came out OK (only shooter but it was a shot gun wedding- low expectations). You can get it used for $275. Then I recommend getting plenty of CF cards (not just one big one, several 2-4 GBs) and a second body. Look into a good deal on a 20D or another XTi.

How about the Tamron 17-50 f2.8?

tamron 17-50mm would be a good choice. also the 85mm 1.8 is great, although its close in focal length to the 50mm. the 135mm L is a little over 500, but would be good choice.
the sigma 70-200 f/2.8 is a relatively cheap lens, and I have had good results with the copy I have used.

dcad10 wrote in post #7341695
tamron 17-50mm would be a good choice. also the 85mm 1.8 is great, although its close in focal length to the 50mm. the 135mm L is a little over 500, but would be good choice.
the sigma 70-200 f/2.8 is a relatively cheap lens, and I have had good results with the copy I have used.

I agree with the 85mm 1.8. Just move up and back a little more. You'll love the 1.8 in existing light and quick change ISO settings.

One lens only on a crop body? 17-55 2.8 IS.

Ideally you'd want two bodies. You'll probably be shooting a lot in low light, so if you are on a budget look at the Sigma 24-70 2.8 or the Tamron 17-50. They are both good relatively cheap options. The 24-70 2.8L is a good choice.

A 70-200 would be handy as well, but obviously costs a lot more.

You can make up for the lack of focal length variety much more easily than the lack of light.

CrazyStang wrote in post #7340826
I was thinking $500 reasonable. haha Maybe not...

For $500, you better off renting. You'll need a back up for everything, preferably a backup of a backup as well.

Lightec in Houston has a good inventory & very fair rates for wedding shooters, check them out.