Wedding Lens

[zekeymonkey]

I'm going to be photographing my first wedding this December. Yes, December 2005. As a general rule what type of lens do you find to work best for this. I know I need a fast lens so I can use available light. I also figure that for the ceremony I should be using a zoom lens. I know there will be no time to change lenses. The Tamron SP AF28-105mm F/2.8 looks very interesting.

[D70FAN]

I'm going to be photographing my first wedding this December. Yes, December 2005. As a general rule what type of lens do you find to work best for this. I know I need a fast lens so I can use available light. I also figure that for the ceremony I should be using a zoom lens. I know there will be no time to change lenses. The Tamron SP AF28-105mm F/2.8 looks very interesting.

Or you might consider the 24-120 Nikkor D VR. Keep in mind that the VR will make up for 2-3 stops in low light, and apertures will tend to be pretty small anyway for better DOF. Along with a 50mm f1.8 for portrait stills that would be my kit on a budget. Except that I might try to get away with using my Sigma 18-125 and rent the 24-120 VR just in case. ;)

[zekeymonkey]

Along with a 50mm f1.8 for portrait stills that would be my kit on a budget. Except that I might try to get away with using my Sigma 18-125 and rent the 24-120 VR just in case. ;)

Well I just bought a used 50mm f1.4 which I love. I was going to buy the f1.8 but I got the used f1.4 for just a little more. So, the 50mm is covered.

From whom can you rent lenses? That may be the way to go. Of course, an excuse to buy a lens is always good to have.

Zeke

[jamison55]

Having shot my first few weddings this fall, I'd go with a fast mid-range zoom (like the Tamron 28-75 2.8) if I was limiting myself to just one lens. Keep the kit lens ready, however, for a few wide angle shots. If you review the program before the wedding, you should be able to plan when you will have time to switch to the wide angle for a few shots (you usually have 10 minutes or so when the priest gives his sermon). You might also ask to attend the rehersal for your first wedding to plan your shooting strategy the night before, and check your flash exposure.

Speaking of flash, it is more important IMHO than a good lens. Even crappy lenses have a "sweet spot" aperture that you can set the camera to, letting the flash handle the lighting. Relying on ambient light, even the fastest lens may not be able to make up for the dimness of many old churches, leading to blurry images. Learn the flash techniques that the pro's use to balance the background lighting with the foregound subject, buy a bracket to get the flash off the camera ($30 on EBay), and make sure you are comfortable with how the flash metering works on your camera - especially with predominately white or predominantly black subjects.

Effectively learn to photograph weddings, and the lenses will pay for themselves! Good luck!