Best lens for weddings

[mhbethea]

Been reading a lot and wanted to know whats the best lens for shooting a wedding I hear 85 1.8 and been told a 17-70 2.8, and 70-200 2.8

 

[Big Mike]

You are going to have to give us more info that that.

Firstly, 'best' is very subjective. For some people's style, an 85mm F1.8 might work well, for others, maybe not. So unless you can tell us more about your style and how you shoot (or want to shoot), it will be hard to give specific recommendations.

Secondly, what camera brand? What camera format (sensor size) etc? A 17-50mm F2.8 is a great 'normal' lens on a crop sensor camera...but on a full frame DSLR, you're more looking at the 24-70mm range.

We often talk about the 'holy trinity' in terms of a pro lens kit. For example, in the Canon line up, you might have the EF 16-35mm F2.8 L II, the 24-70mm F2.8 L II and the 70-200mm F2.8 L IS II. Then you might add a 'specialty lens' like a macro, or a fast prime (24mm F1.4 L, 35mm F1.4 L, 50mm F1.2L or 50mm F1.4, 85mm F1.2 or 85mm F1.8)...and so on.
For a crop camera, you would want wider (shorter) lenses. So the wide angle might be the EF-S 10-22mm, and the normal zoom might be the EF-S 17-55mm F2.8 IS. The 70-200mm F2.8 L IS still works great.

Some photographers prefer to shoot with fast primes rather than zooms. It's just a matter of style.

And of course, you didn't mention a budget...just best.

 

[gsgary]

Go back to Best Buy they have a special wedding kit

 

[JesseColeGuthery]

Big Mike has it dead on. Perhaps if you tell us how you like to shoot we could advise more. For example are you always using flash, do you prefer to get up close and personal with people and groups or do you prefer to be at a distance and let things happen?

 

[analog.universe]

Go back to Best Buy they have a special wedding kit

Stuff like this makes me wish there was a "dislike" button.

 

[ph0enix]

Go back to Best Buy they have a special wedding kit

OP: What Gary is saying here is that if you have to ask, you're not ready to shoot a wedding.

 

[gsgary]

Go back to Best Buy they have a special wedding kit

Stuff like this makes me wish there was a "dislike" button.

So do i, then you could press it

 

[Big Mike]

Go back to Best Buy they have a special wedding kit

OP: What Gary is saying here is that if you have to ask, you're not ready to shoot a wedding.

Who said anything about shooting a wedding?
The OP was asking about lenses for shooting a wedding but didn't mention anything about shooting a wedding themselves.

Sure, that might be where they are headed, but I think that if they are here, asking questions, they are on the right track to being prepared when the time comes that they are going to shoot a wedding.

Certain people need to start being more friendly around here.

 

[Hackett]

I have shot a couple weddings, and though it detracted from the enjoyment I find in photography, and isn't something I prefer to shoot, I always like 23-70mm to allow me a fun depth of field range, but still the ability to be close and get a lot in the image. I always tried to keep in mind, these pictures will be used to share and remember the experience, and I don't mind at all being in the crowd or near the subject, but I could step back across the room and still get a great composition with the longer end of the lens, and have a larger DOF. I also liked to shoot with flash as indoor lighting is so unpredictable and it gave me a bit more room to work with, creatively.

That said, I started with shooting pictures in clubs, BBQ's, and at parties for friends just to get some practice time in similar environments, which is what brought me to the decisions on equipment I made.

 

[ph0enix]

Go back to Best Buy they have a special wedding kit

OP: What Gary is saying here is that if you have to ask, you're not ready to shoot a wedding.

Who said anything about shooting a wedding?
The OP was asking about lenses for shooting a wedding but didn't mention anything about shooting a wedding themselves.

Sure, that might be where they are headed, but I think that if they are here, asking questions, they are on the right track to being prepared when the time comes that they are going to shoot a wedding.

Certain people need to start being more friendly around here.

True, but a little humor can't (or at least shouldn't) hurt

 

[Big Mike]

True, but a little humor can't (or at least shouldn't) hurt

Unfortunately, many people are not good at expressing humor when words on a screen are the only means of communication.

 

[sovietdoc]

For weddings you want 3 lenses. f/2.8 UWA zoom (12-24 or wider), f/2.8 24-70 and f/2.8 70-200

And a decent camera that can take a full advantage of that glass (Not a rebel), that can shoot clean at super high iso (although in a few years we'll be seeing rebels shooting at 100k ISO with good IQ)

If you can shell out over about 15k cash out of your pocket, go for it.

 

[tirediron]

Go back to Best Buy they have a special wedding kit

Let's wait until we know a little more about the circumstances before we castigate the OP shall we? For all we know at this point, he's going to be fourth shooter at his cousin's wedding.

 

[cgipson1]

I recommend the following (or equivalent!) for a start:

Amazon.com: Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens: Electronics

Amazon.com: Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S Nikkor Zoom Lens For Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: Electronics

Amazon.com: Nikon 85mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR: Camera & Photo

Of course, you would need a decent body too... no Entry Level D3100 or D3000.. and definitely nothing with "Rebel" in the model name! Preferably a full frame sensor! Something like this: Amazon.com: Nikon D4 16.2 MP CMOS FX Digital SLR with Full 1080p HD Video (Body Only): Electronics

I highly recommend having at least two of the following (or equivalent!): Amazon.com: Nikon SB-910 Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: Electronics And knowing how to use them well is a must!

Some wireless triggers (at least 3) Amazon.com: Pocket Wizard FlexTT5 Transceiver For Nikon TTL Flashes and Digital SLR Cameras: Electronics , and some stands, modifiers, reflectors!

This would be a good start on just the equipment..... only about $14k or so...... that or similar would be what REAL PRO's use..... (not including YEARS of knowledge and practice)!!

NO KIT LENSES allowed either!

 

[SCraig]

Go back to Best Buy they have a special wedding kit

Let's wait until we know a little more about the circumstances before we castigate the OP shall we? For all we know at this point, he's going to be fourth shooter at his cousin's wedding.

Conclusions are easy to jump to. Not so easy to gracefully back out of when necessary.

Edit ... And, I might add, I'm as guilty as anyone else.