One lens for a wedding????????

obx · Dec 26, 2010

Hello,
I am not a professional photographer, but I want to take pictures of my friends wedding. I already told them to hire a professional photographer (Which they are going to) but they insisted that they still want me to take some photos. So my question is what is one type of lens that I need to shoot the wedding with. I have a Canon 50D.
Thanks in advance for any help!!!!!

Bitter Jeweler · Dec 26, 2010

Let the games begin!

SoulXquisite · Dec 26, 2010

-im not a pro, but im sure they want you to take pictures so that there is a different angle/perspective on the wedding instead of just from the pro.

-plus what lens to do you have? is it a kit lens? I would say some type of 70-200mm. so you can get close without being close. my .02

flea77 · Dec 26, 2010

Only one lens? Well it would be impossible to cover a wedding with one lens IMO but for you, since there is a real photographer and you are just taking alternate shots, I would have to go with a 70-200 2.8. It will help make sure you stay out of the paid photographer's way.

Allan

tirediron · Dec 26, 2010

What lenses do you have available to you? Is renting/buying new glass an option? What would the budget be?

obx · Dec 26, 2010

I only use three lenses that like,
I got a -
75-300mm
17-50mm
18-55mm

I am probably going to end up with the 17-50mm, but what do you guys/girls think?????? Thanks

obx · Dec 26, 2010

tirediron said:
What lenses do you have available to you? Is renting/buying new glass an option? What would the budget be?

If there is one lens that is a great all around lens I have no problem buying it. I just need to know what it is. Thanks

dandaluzphotography · Dec 26, 2010

From what I've read, the 16-35 f/2.8L is an awesome lens. It's wide enough for those group shots and fast enough for the low light situations you'll definitely encounter.

You've gotta multiply those focal lengths by about 1.6 since the 50D is not full frame, but it's still good.

I would rent it. It can't be more than 150.00 for a 4 day rental.

Danny

MohaimenK · Dec 26, 2010

dandaluzphotography said:
From what I've read, the 16-35 f/2.8L is an awesome lens. It's wide enough for those group shots and fast enough for the low light situations you'll definitely encounter.

You've gotta multiply those focal lengths by about 1.6 since the 50D is not full frame, but it's still good.

I would rent it. It can't be more than 150.00 for a 4 day rental.

Danny

16-35 is an extremely good lens but I'd say get the 24-105 if its ONE lens. I own both and both work wonders

burgo · Dec 26, 2010

the 24-105mm lens is a good all round lens for a wedding if I had to choose just a single lens to use.

eccs19 · Dec 26, 2010

obx said:
I only use three lenses that like,
I got a -
75-300mm
17-50mm
18-55mm

I am probably going to end up with the 17-50mm, but what do you guys/girls think?????? Thanks

Not related to your original question, and I know nothing about Canon, but I have to admit, I'm curious as to why you have a 17-50 & a 18-55. They just seem so close to each other.

sobolik · Dec 26, 2010

I could easily do an entire wedding with and 18-100ish. I prefer to have a 12-24 zoom readily available for tighter spaces. Whatever the case I always take wider flamings/compositions than what the textbooks say is a good cropping. It is hard to get the perfect crop at a wedding's pace. Much better to shoot wide and get the perfect crop later. That is why I love the 12mm so much. Even so I could easily do a wedding with a 18-100ish zoom (I have Nikon 18-105 and Tokina 12-24 and Nikon 18-200)

mike3767 · Dec 26, 2010

One thing to keep in mind is make sure the professional knows what your doing. We had a friend take pics of our wedding along with the pro and I could sense some irritation from the pro. I recently did a wedding for a friend who didn't have a pro and he wasn't going to have a photographer there so I offered my service and what I found out is that it can be frustrating and I tip my hats to the pros. Just take A LOT of pics and I'm sure you'll find some winners! As for lens, check to see if you have a local camera shop and see if you can rent a couple. Go with a better zoom capability and maybe see if you can rent a wide angle. We had some pretty cool pics of our wedding that had wide angle.

IgsEMT · Dec 26, 2010

18-200, on camera flash, don't shoot wider then f/6.3 (stay at 8-11) boost in camera sharpness to 5-6, DON'T open wider then then 24mm and not tighter then 170.