Good lenses for wedding photography? I was just asked to do my first wedding this summer and would like to purchase a good overall lens for most of the shots...does anybody have any suggestions?
1037163
I have to respectfully disagree with the recommendation for a 16-85mm VR. I have that lens, use it with my D90 and it's great for outdoor situations. Indoors, the 16-85mm is fine if you are using a flash. I can see using the 16-85mm for some interior church shots, but most of wedding shots are going to be of people. things, little details like bouquets, etc. You will want a lens that can handle low-light and can isolate a subject well (subject in focus - remaining areas blurry). You should check out primes. Fast zooms are nice, but they will defintiley set you back a lot of money. Look into these lenses: 1. Nikkor 50mm 1.8 - The poor man's lens for low light, decent bokeh, depth of field interestingness. $100 Everyone should have at least one fast lens and since this one is cheap, it's a good place to start. 2. Sigma 30mm 1.4 More money, but since it's wider than the above lens, a little more versatile, especially with DX sensor. $300 or more 3. Nikkor 85mm 1.8 - Like the 50mm but is more telephoto, so this is good if you are standing far from your subject but want to fill the frame with your subject. Good for concerts, theater, etc. 5. Nikkor 85mm 1.4 - This is a money-making lens for pro wedding photographers and portrait photographers. People fall in love with and worship this lens. Do a web search and you'll find out why. Very, very pricey. $1K but worth it. One thing about primes is that there is a definite learning curve to using them - especially at the wider apertures since the depth of field is SO narrow. You have to really work on learning to use them to maximize the number of keepers you have. BUT, these fast lenses help you to examine more work more critically, to look at your composition, technique, etc in ways that your kit lens never will :) Good luck with your photography!
1582486
Brandon. It doesn't say when you asked this question but I figured the answer out. First, I just purchased the last one that a storefront had for $289, so i'm sorry if I stole the lens from you :X. Second, the price is going to be interesting on this lens from here on out. It has been discontinued due to a recently announced new model. The question is how much will this new model cost? To my knowledge that hasn't been answered. I decided to snag it at this price because if the new model is upwards of $400 then it out of my price range anyway. If the new model comes out sub $400 this older model might tank in price. Supply and demand will dictate based on that information. As for big stores, I don't see you having much luck. Most did firesales and liquidated their stock already to mitigate the price risk. I can tell you that this is my first fixed lens for general photography. It hasnt even arrived yet, but when it does I plan to test it out. If its not to my liking I can resell it to you at the price I purchased + the tax I paid + shipping. I would generally just return it but that lowers your chance of it ending up in your hands. If this was a recent post just come back to me and I can show you proof that it hasn't even arrived yet :). Take care!
2004641
hi. Do you plan to shoot more weddings or landscapes...? i think it could be the answer of your question. I think about buying this lens too. i am a wedding photographer, and wedding conditions are always dark light situations. So i need the 2.8 aperture. If you are more a nature photographer, so the 2.8 is not so needed. During wedding the IS can't help too much, because the people that you take are dancing, the low speed will be impossible to use, even with IS on.I hope it will hlep you.
824633
I find the 28 to 70 lens to be a really great lens, sharp, easy to use, fast focus but a bit heavy when used for an event such as weddings. I would recommend looking at 24 - 70mm lens by sigma.
944171
hi, I have a question.... I'm not a professional photographer and not want to be, but I would use as a hobby and will go to photography classes.... to take a good photos in the future... soooo... What should I choose... the kit with those lens (18-55mm and 75-300mm ) or only the body with 18-135mm lens ??? and another question... I want to take photos to my brother's surfing. its necessary to buy a 500mm lens??? thanks a lot!
990745
Congrats on the D5000 (and both great lenses you have). Be sure and get that 35mm down the road, believe me it will probably be the best 200$ you'll ever spend if you do any shooting indoors. I have tons of other lenses (including a 50mm f/1.4) so I held off for a while on getting the 35mm f/1.8, once I did finally get it I was kicking myself for not getting it sooner, it's that good. Happy shooting.
578411
What camera bodies do you currently own and for what type of shooting?? For portrait, people love the 85, some even say they prefer the 100mm. I own the 50L, the only thing I can say is that shooting at f1.2 takes practice, and the auto focus is a bit slower than most other modern day lens with AF.
840152
Thank you guys, really appreciate you help. I was in confused state in selecting sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 or tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 macro, but after a week study i have selected this sigma 50-150mm which is exactly in my budget. Once again thank you guys.
1002098
I'm currently using this lens with Nikon D5200, just get the nikon mount and you're sorted. Very sharp results if you do your part :)
2069809
Sorry, I don't have wedding photography experience. But I think this lens is better for portrait of a single person. If you want to take group picture, you need to keep quite far away. For the aperture range, it depends on the lighting condition. Hope this helps
360247
For a first try at a wedding? Possibly. I, myself, would prefer to use a large aperture zoom (like a 17-55mm f2.8 or 24-70mm f2.8) for the ceremony and many other activities of the wedding and reception. This is due to not having to move as much compared to a fixed lens like the 50mm. For portraits and the like the 50mm f1.4 is absolutely brilliant.
298203
Thanks for all of the feedback. I bought the E-510 about month ago and it has been great. I am glad I went with the two lens kit for $650 on amazon. Its great to have both lenses. The E-510 is proving to be a great camera.
11990
I just got an email stating between Nov 1 and December 1. Wow... should I wait for the pancake lens? It's $50 more than the 14mm-45mm...
790657
Mainly price. The Rokinon lenses are very good. I own a 35 and 24 Rokinon as well as some Canons. I think they perform extremely well.
1125761
It's an amazing wedding lens but not necessarily the best since that can depend on many factors. If you're looking for a long focal length like this then it's hard to beat the price and weight. But if you're willing to lug around some more heft the 70-200 2.8 with IS is a great wedding lens and versatile. I used my 135 exclusively at a wedding a few weekends ago and the photos came out tremendously but the long focal length meant I did miss some shots
501122
Thanks for the feedback. I ended up getting the Canon 17-55/2.8IS. It was more expensive, but I had come across some extra money. I've had that lens for several month now and it's awesome. The zoom range is excellent, it's great having f2.8 through the whole range, and the IS adds probably at least 3 stops. It's very sharp when I do my part, especially when it's stopped down a couple clicks. I would still love to get a lens like I described in my OP, but I'm looking at a wide angle zoom and a better telephoto lens before that one.
1019877
I did NOT buy the kit lens...bought camera with the 18-200mm lens instead....love this lens....a bit heavy but just great....no need for multiple lenses.