Best lens for a wedding on a budget?

[Shoal]

I have been asked to shoot a wedding, but only have the Tamron 28-75 (2.8) and Canon 50 (1.8). I don't have anything with more reach which I think is a necessity for a wedding! What is the cheapest I can get but still have at least the quality of lenses I have now?

 

[CCericola]

Is there anywhere that you could rent a 70-200 2.8? I have also used the Tamron 70-200 2.8 with decent results and it is much cheaper than the Canon L lens.

 

[MLeeK]

Cheapest, best case scenario is to rent the 70-200 f/2.8. You can't get away with a cheap zoom at a wedding. You'll NEED that f/2.8 badly. Not to mention the sharpness.
Rentglass.com - Lens rentals by mail for Canon and Nikon SLR cameras
Rent professional cameras or camera lenses for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Leica and Pentax
Aperturent.com - Rent lenses & cameras by mail. Pick up in Atlanta.
adorama has a rental department

 

[CCericola]

A quick google search showed a few places that might rent what you need in Newfoundland. Unfortunately, none of Mleek's links rent outside of the USA.

https://www.google.com/search?q=ren...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

 

[mjhoward]

Canon 80-200 L f/2.8

 

[MLeeK]

A quick google search showed a few places that might rent what you need in Newfoundland. Unfortunately, none of Mleek's links rent outside of the USA.

https://www.google.com/search?q=ren...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

I really gotta learn to pay attention to that location thing!

 

[CCericola]

Canon 80-200 L f/2.8

+1 I keep forgetting about that guy. Super heavy, no IS and no manual focus override. But if you can live without those it is a great lens.

 

[Kerbouchard]

If I were you, I wouldn't be so much worried about a long lens as I would be with getting a flash.

 

[TheKenTurner]

Definatly go with the Canon 70-200 f/2.8. Make sure you get the one with IS. Although they're $800 apart, you'll find the IS useful. Especially at 200mm.

 

[Shoal]

Is there a Tamron or non-brand lens that has reach, steady aperture, and sharpness? Like my Tamron 28-75 but with more reach.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

70-200 f2.8....... FTW

 

[MLeeK]

Tamron makes a 70-200 f/2.8 that runs about $700 USD. Excellent sharp lens. A little slow on the focus, so if you plan to shoot sports with it be aware that you definitely can, but the focus is slower than a non macro lens. It served me exceptionally well for weddings for several years. I used it heavily for portraits also. I truly loved that lens, but needed the faster focus as I am shooting sports.
Sigma makes a 70-200 f/2.8 (NON OS VERSION) that runs about $800 USD. I have no PERSONAL experience with this lens, but I do shoot with a woman who has it. It too is a macro lens so it's a bit slower, however she shoots sports with it and is pretty successful with the focus. She does say she misses a shot or two here and there because of the focus, but otherwise it's awesome. I do know her images are beautiful and sharp with it.
Sigma makes a 70-200 f/2.8 OS (the equivalent to IS in canon and VR in Nikon) that runs about $1400. It's not a macro capable lens and the focus is definitely much faster. It's also much more silent than the Tamron (can't say on the other sigma's volume.) I personally use this lens for everything except macro and I LOVE it. It's OS (VR/IS) so I can use it with slower shutter speeds and no shake. It's sharp and just absolutely amazing for a grand less than the name brand version.

 

[Shoal]

Thanks MLeek!