Lens Advice

DalyanJC

DalyanJC

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John
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Ok I realise that this question has probably been done to death but I need to ask so I can tailor the answer to my specific need.

I have a Nikon D5100 with the 18-55 Kit Lens, and a 70-300mm 4.5-5.6g lens.

For some bizarre reason my son and his fiance has asked me to photograph his wedding which is going to be in a registry office in apparently a small room. and afterwards in a hall. They want candid shots rather than anything too formal.

It is not feasible for me to visit the location beforehand as I live in Turkey and the wedding is in Dartford, Kent and I am only travelling back a few days before ( the wedding is at the beginning of June). However I think I am going to need either a 35mm 1.8 or 50mm 1.8 but seeing as I am not planning on doing any other weddings following this what would be the best option for me that I can use afterwards.

I normally like photographing wildlife and landscapes.

Thanks for any advice.
 
I would probably pick the 50mm for a tiny bit more reach so I wouldnt need to stand so close. It is also a great lens for general use and well priced, I normally use mine for portraits or general fun shots indoors.

However, overall if I got persuaded into doing a wedding, Id probably favour a shorter zoom lens such as the 16-85 / 24-70 or something along those lines so I wouldnt be shuffling forwards and back all the time to frame the shot properly. However the 24-70 I think might be a bit long on the wide end for group shots on a DX sensor. But thats my opinion, and Ive never done a wedding so :)

As opposed to buying a lens to do the wedding with, and using it / selling it after, have you considered renting a lens?
 
Thanks for the quick reply, had not thought about hire but it may be a problem as I am not a UK resident.
 
I would go for the 50mm prime if you are going to buy. Presumably a small wedding if it is in a small room and that should give enough reach for candid, enough IQ for cropping a bit and enough aperture for creativity and not using the flash if you don't want to (should be OK in June if the venue has windows?)
 
Have you thought about the light available. A fast prime is great, not so if needing to shoot more than one person and you are hAving to use the lens wide open. I think as well as a fast lens is a mounted flash.
 
Yes it is a small wedding there are only going to be 21 people at the actual registry office. I believe there are windows but they are small as it is located in a medieval building that used to be the gatehouse to one of King Henry VIII's Manor Houses. So don't think the light will be that great.
 
should be fine with prime lens. Altho they didn't say but many registry office will not allow you to use flash so fast prime is a good option.
 
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