Lens for wedding

Kimbalina81 · Nov 3, 2011

What are your thoughts on this lens for photographing a wedding? Those of you who may have seen my other posts know that this is a very informal, small, outdoor wedding (and weather is expected to be sunny). I also have a Canon Speedlite flash 270EX, and I am considering a polarizing filter. Would you recommend one?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009XVVG

K

Scuba · Nov 3, 2011

don't know much about it but I would guess via the price that it won't be a very sharp lens. Also, you need to consider the time of the day and shadows being a big problem with it being outdoors and sunny

Noxire · Nov 3, 2011

Buy the sigma 50mm f/1.4 and get a ND filter so you can work at big apertures and get some separation.

bigtwinky · Nov 3, 2011

Just looking at it I have a feeling you will have issues with slow focus locking and probably image sharpness as well. The lens will probably have a somewhat loud focus motor too.

You get what you pay for.

I wouldn't buy the lens and SPECIALLY for wedding shooting. Photography is not a cheap hobby if you want to do professional work.
If you are just going to the wedding to have fun, not hired or anything, then whatever, buy what fits your budget and have fun. No harm in that.

But that $180 is throwaway money because the more you do this, the more you will want to get a professional and kick yourself for not saving up for it.

KmH · Nov 3, 2011

Renting a high quality lens is also an option:

LensRentals.com - LensRentals.com - Rent a Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L
LensRentals.com - Rent a Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG for Canon

LensProToGo.com - LensProToGo: Canon 24-70 f/2.8L

If you were a NAPP member, you would get a discount from either store.

Here is my referal link to NAPP - Learn Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Digital Photography | NAPP - Click on Benefits to see what NAPP membership can do for you.

DavidSutphin · Nov 25, 2011

I would suggest doing a little research on any lens you're considering, starting with the Popular Photography website and the Digital Photography Review website. You can't rely on every lens being great or even good from any lens manufacturer including Nikon and Cannon. Sigma does have some great lenses so don't rule them all out.

MLeeK · Nov 25, 2011

I had it. I threw it in a drawer, then gave it away to a girl I sold an old rebel to. She threw it away. It was awful. The kit lens is much nicer. That's sad.

Iron Flatline · Dec 28, 2011

A high-end 24-70 should make you happy for a fun wedding.

DiskoJoe · Dec 29, 2011

This would be okay but a model that has a f2.8 aperture throughout would be better. You also need some zoom, like a 70-200mm (f2.8 preferrably). You may think of it as small and informal but that does not mean the photos should suffer or the memories are any less important then a huge extravagant wedding.

Rent a sigma 24-70 f2.8 and a sigma 70-200 f2.8 and you will get the job done with style and your friends will love you forever and probably pay you back for whatever it cost to rent the lenses.

Here are some shots i did for a friends wedding with my sigma 70-210mm f2.8.

Layne-Wong Wedding - a set on Flickr

Also if you did want to buy a lens I would suggest a Tamron 28-75mm f2.8. It is less expensive but offers great sharpness. I prefer sigma though.

jodellny · Jan 3, 2012

Noxire, what ND filter (.03, .06 etc) do you use for weddings and big Apertures. I just bought B+W 77 102 ND .06 BL 4x MRCfrom BH Photo. I just got it. I used it once for a lanscape shot. I want to start shooting weddings this year.
Thanks

Greensboro Photographer
Joseph Bradley

RyanSands · Jan 5, 2012

If your looking for a great lens for weddings check out the Tamron 28-75. It's sharper then the Canon 24-70 and 1/3 the price! Trust me...I have rented the Canon 24-70...compared it to my Tamron and I was not impressed. Seriously if you want a kick ass lens for not a lot of money the Tamron is it.

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di Autofocus Lens for Canon AF09C700 B&H

BZSPhotography · Jan 5, 2012

its a perfect lens I'm in the same situation you are in. I ended up narrowing it down into 2, the Canon 28-70 f2.8 L or the Canon 24-105 f4 L. after doing loads of research, i ended up choosing the canon L 24-105 for its image stabilization and the extra focal length which i favored over the 24-70's extra f stop. Both are great lenses, pretty much the same image quality and sharpness.

DiskoJoe · Jan 6, 2012

BZSPhotography said:
its a perfect lens I'm in the same situation you are in. I ended up narrowing it down into 2, the Canon 28-70 f2.8 L or the Canon 24-105 f4 L. after doing loads of research, i ended up choosing the canon L 24-105 for its image stabilization and the extra focal length which i favored over the 24-70's extra f stop. Both are great lenses, pretty much the same image quality and sharpness.

I would have still went with the extra f-stop. The depth of field is usually favored by clients plus the additional speed is really needed for weddings. Typically I'll have to take two or three shots of someone to get a good shot where they arent blinking or doing something else to ruin the pic.