Kit lens for weddings

[SabrinaO]

What's the big deal using a kit lens if flash is allowed? I just don't get why people are so against using a kit lens for a wedding. I have a 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 that I'm gonna be using along with my sb600 speedlight (with a diffuser of course). I have a 35mm 1.8 but I'm probably not gonna use it, because I think it's unnecessary because again... flash is allowed. I guess ill use it for portrait type shots for a nice creamy blurred background. But is there something I'm not getting? If so please explain why a kit lens is bad for a wedding.

 

[enzodm]

But is there something I'm not getting? If so please explain why a kit lens is bad for a wedding.

As you perhaps know, aperture is not only light but also DoF.
Additionally, optical quality of kit lenses usually is basic (sharpness, CA, etc), but if you never noticed the difference, is not a problem.

 

[GeorgieGirl]

I suspect its due to its intended use and quality. A lot of these kit lenses are decent. They are not exceptional. So I think it boils down to the level of equipment being used.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Your ambient light will be most likely really dark unless you keep jacking the ISO and drag it a little. So your wedding is coming up soon eh?

 

[John Mc]

If you take two shots of the same thing today,at the same focusing distance(both at 35mm) and at the same aperture, and compare the shots,you'll see why people prefer to get rid of their kit lens.it is designed for you to use for basic stuff.but i much prefer a prime to a zoom,and it only has to deal wih one job

 

[sobolik]

What's the big deal using a kit lens if flash is allowed? I just don't get why people are so against using a kit lens for a wedding. I have a 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 that I'm gonna be using along with my sb600 speedlight (with a diffuser of course). I have a 35mm 1.8 but I'm probably not gonna use it, because I think it's unnecessary because again... flash is allowed. I guess ill use it for portrait type shots for a nice creamy blurred background. But is there something I'm not getting? If so please explain why a kit lens is bad for a wedding.

People who make a big deal out of it simply do not know what they are talking about. But talk they must. The internet forums are full of such. There have been a few phrases invented to match this phenomenon. "posers" "fake it till you make it"

I used far worse quality Sigma lenses and did a wedding. The Nikon kit lens is 100 times better quality than what I used.

Kit lenses are just fine unless you think you can purchase your way into being a great photographer - YOU CAN'T

You can't take great photos by buying expensive lenses any more than buying expensive golf clubs will make you a great golfer.

People name drop their expensive cars, golf clubs, clothes (they are still unattractive) or CAMERA LENSES all the time as if it makes them special. When in reality great photos taken with a kit lens can be special.

Fast glass (lenses) is like a fast race car. Useless to the vast majority of the human population.

 

[nonamexx]

What's the big deal using a kit lens if flash is allowed? I just don't get why people are so against using a kit lens for a wedding. I have a 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 that I'm gonna be using along with my sb600 speedlight (with a diffuser of course). I have a 35mm 1.8 but I'm probably not gonna use it, because I think it's unnecessary because again... flash is allowed. I guess ill use it for portrait type shots for a nice creamy blurred background. But is there something I'm not getting? If so please explain why a kit lens is bad for a wedding.

People who make a big deal out of it simply do not know what they are talking about. But talk they must. The internet forums are full of such. There have been a few phrases invented to match this phenomenon. "posers" "fake it till you make it"

I used far worse quality Sigma lenses and did a wedding. The Nikon kit lens is 100 times better quality than what I used.

Kit lenses are just fine unless you think you can purchase your way into being a great photographer - YOU CAN'T

You can't take great photos by buying expensive lenses any more than buying expensive golf clubs will make you a great golfer.

People name drop their expensive cars, golf clubs, clothes (they are still unattractive) or CAMERA LENSES all the time as if it makes them special. When in reality great photos taken with a kit lens can be special.

Fast glass (lenses) is like a fast race car. Useless to the vast majority of the human population.

Agree. In the end it's a piece of super-shiny, well crafted bit of glass.

Nobody cares what you shoot with. The equipment should not really matter at all.

I feel even a decent P & S will probably suffice so long as your photos come out great. Nobody asks you what lens you used after looking at the pics, unless they're photography nuts.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Unfortunately people do care what equipment you are shooting with. A lot of couples do ask what equipment you will be using for their wedding (even if they have no idea about photography).

 

[nonamexx]

Unfortunately people do care what equipment you are shooting with. A lot of couples do ask what equipment you will be using for their wedding (even if they have no idea about photography).

Seems rather a waste of money to impress a few people buying a new lens for one occasion (if you have no other specific requirement for it).

Of course, you all know my tight-fistedness by now. I think a hundred times before spending a single rupee (or dollar) and my motto is "maximize what you have".

 

[John Mc]

I Agree with Schwetty. im shooting my uncles wedding,and although he doesent know about photography.he's still offered to compensate me if i need to hire better lenses.which i plan on doing.

Its not a waste of Money at all if your images are better and it get's you more work.maximise what you have yes,but this also includes what's in your pocket and will spending moeny on hiring something to improve your work be worth it in the long run,i think the answer is yes! the purchase/hire will pay for itself over time!

 

[sobolik]

Unfortunately people do care what equipment you are shooting with. A lot of couples do ask what equipment you will be using for their wedding (even if they have no idea about photography).

Then those people are stupid. Any one with brains will ask "let me see your work. I want to see your last wedding's photos"

It is like asking a painter what brushes do you use instead of give me references to some houses you have painted.

 

[RauschPhotography]

Unfortunately people do care what equipment you are shooting with. A lot of couples do ask what equipment you will be using for their wedding (even if they have no idea about photography).

Seems rather a waste of money to impress a few people buying a new lens for one occasion (if you have no other specific requirement for it).

Of course, you all know my tight-fistedness by now. I think a hundred times before spending a single rupee (or dollar) and my motto is "maximize what you have".

It's not just about impressing people... It's about giving your clients the best job possible, even if it does mean throwing out some cash to rent a lens. It's not a bad idea at all.

 

[nonamexx]

I Agree with Schwetty. im shooting my uncles wedding,and although he doesent know about photography.he's still offered to compensate me if i need to hire better lenses.which i plan on doing.

Its not a waste of Money at all if your images are better and it get's you more work.maximise what you have yes,but this also includes what's in your pocket and will spending moeny on hiring something to improve your work be worth it in the long run,i think the answer is yes! the purchase/hire will pay for itself over time!

I would love an example of two similar images shot with different lenses with exactly the same camera settings and how one of them is better.

I ask out of curiosity and not in a sarcastic way. I genuinely want to know.

I also want to know whether the difference in quality makes up for the extra cost and whether the client would have noticed the difference anyway.

 

[Robin Usagani]

I know sobolik. Just telling you how it is. You can have really great portfolio and once in a while a bride like this will ask the question. Then she finds out you shoot with kit lens (she knows because she googled it LOL) then you lose a client. People are being judged constantly with what they look like, what they wear, what equipment they use. It has been discussed many times.

Unfortunately people do care what equipment you are shooting with. A lot of couples do ask what equipment you will be using for their wedding (even if they have no idea about photography).

Then those people are stupid. Any one with brains will ask "let me see your work. I want to see your last wedding's photos"

It is like asking a painter what brushes do you use instead of give me references to some houses you have painted.

 

[enzodm]

Agree. In the end it's a piece of super-shiny, well crafted bit of glass.

different lenses have different features (at least aperture) that give different features to your pictures. A good photographer may take good pictures inside the limits of a bad lens, because he/she knows what the limits are. A bad photographer cannot be saved by a good lens. In the middle there is a lot of average people that may avoid to ruin their pictures with a crowded background if having some larger aperture (to say one thing).