Low light telephoto options

[Lazlo Woodbine]

My current wedding setup is a D700 with a Nikon 24-70 and a Fuji S5 with a Sigma 50-150, with a 50 1.4 in my pocket. I'm happy with both setups apart from when it comes to those low light, no flash allowed venues when I'm stuggling to get much use out of the S5.

The obvious choice is to upgrade the Sigma 50-150 to a Nikon 70-200VR, but it's crossed my mind that an 85mm 1.4 might be a better option since it'll be about 123mm on the Fuji cropped sensor.

I just wondered if anyone actually uses one for weddings? It'll give me the extra 2 stops that the VR would on the 70-200 and I can keep the shutter speed up, but is an aperture of 1.4 useable at that focal length when trying to capture a moving subject?

It's also crossed my mind that the Nikon 105mm VR might be an option too since I'm told good things about it's portrait capabilities. Is thinking of using a macro lens for wedding photography crazy though?

Thanks very much,

Matt

 

[david1701]

what aperture is the macro?

I was gonna recomend the 135/2 for canon so its ball park

f1.4 > IS for available light as it will freeze motion, but you do need to be aware of the DoF

 

[Lazlo Woodbine]

The macro is 2.8. Not as well suited to the tast as the 85mm but I've just heard many people saying how good it is for portraits.

I think I'll play on the safe side and hire the 85 to see how I get on with it before making any decisions on whether it'll do me.

 

[david1701]

The macro is 2.8. Not as well suited to the tast as the 85mm but I've just heard many people saying how good it is for portraits.

I think I'll play on the safe side and hire the 85 to see how I get on with it before making any decisions on whether it'll do me.

well it'd kick something non f2.8 into touch, also guessing its sharp as sharp

 

[andy_h]

My current wedding setup is a D700 with a Nikon 24-70 and a Fuji S5 with a Sigma 50-150, with a 50 1.4 in my pocket. I'm happy with both setups apart from when it comes to those low light, no flash allowed venues when I'm stuggling to get much use out of the S5.

The obvious choice is to upgrade the Sigma 50-150 to a Nikon 70-200VR, but it's crossed my mind that an 85mm 1.4 might be a better option since it'll be about 123mm on the Fuji cropped sensor.

I just wondered if anyone actually uses one for weddings? It'll give me the extra 2 stops that the VR would on the 70-200 and I can keep the shutter speed up, but is an aperture of 1.4 useable at that focal length when trying to capture a moving subject?

It's also crossed my mind that the Nikon 105mm VR might be an option too since I'm told good things about it's portrait capabilities. Is thinking of using a macro lens for wedding photography crazy though?

Thanks very much,

Matt

Hi there

I havent used the 70-200 but I do have the 50-150. As both are 2.8 I'm struggling a little to see what you'd be gaining in aperture that you dont already have, unless I've misunderstood something about the new Nikon?

I've used a Tamron 90mm and found that to be amazingly sharp and generally ace in low light on both a D300 and D700, but I guess that doesnt really get you past the zoom abilities of either the Sigma or the Nikon

 

[ryanyboy]

If it becomes a toss up between the 105 micro lens and the 70-200 I'd fo for the 70-200 as the zoom capability can be a godesend at weddings and the extra reach can help get those great candids in the church etc.

But when you bring the 85mm into play it's a tougher choice. The extra two stops is a wonderful thing although I wouldn't advise shooting wide open with anything that's moving - the hit rate of successful shots is very low!! I'd reccomend shooting at F1.8 or F2. That's still a good stop faster than the 2.8 lenses. The 85 is a great portrait lens and produces fab bokeh. It'll be great for head and shoulder shots and wider candids when you back a bit further. But it won't get you particularly close for candids and it won't zoom (really!).

So all things considered I'd recommend the 70-200VRII if you can afford it. It's a superb lens and other than the slower max aperture is worth it's weight in gold.

If the 70-200 is out of reach then the 85mm would be second choice.

The 105mm is a great portrait lens in terms of IQ but I rarelu use it at weddings other than for close up shots of rings etc.

HTH

 

[Lazlo Woodbine]

Hi there

I havent used the 70-200 but I do have the 50-150. As both are 2.8 I'm struggling a little to see what you'd be gaining in aperture that you dont already have, unless I've misunderstood something about the new Nikon?

I've used a Tamron 90mm and found that to be amazingly sharp and generally ace in low light on both a D300 and D700, but I guess that doesnt really get you past the zoom abilities of either the Sigma or the Nikon

It's the VR on the 70-200 I'd be gaining. Pretty useful as it can be pretty tricky to keep every shot steady once the shutter speed is lowered. It'll also give me the option of putting it on my D700 since the 50-150 is DX only.

If it becomes a toss up between the 105 micro lens and the 70-200 I'd fo for the 70-200 as the zoom capability can be a godesend at weddings and the extra reach can help get those great candids in the church etc.

But when you bring the 85mm into play it's a tougher choice. The extra two stops is a wonderful thing although I wouldn't advise shooting wide open with anything that's moving - the hit rate of successful shots is very low!! I'd reccomend shooting at F1.8 or F2. That's still a good stop faster than the 2.8 lenses. The 85 is a great portrait lens and produces fab bokeh. It'll be great for head and shoulder shots and wider candids when you back a bit further. But it won't get you particularly close for candids and it won't zoom (really!).

So all things considered I'd recommend the 70-200VRII if you can afford it. It's a superb lens and other than the slower max aperture is worth it's weight in gold.

If the 70-200 is out of reach then the 85mm would be second choice.

The 105mm is a great portrait lens in terms of IQ but I rarelu use it at weddings other than for close up shots of rings etc.

HTH

Thanks very much. I'll probably end up getting all 3 eventually. Just wish I could afford them all right now!

I've always assumed I'd get the 70-200 next and you're right. The extra reach and flexibility would be very useful for weddings. Especially the ceremony part where I may be routed to the spot.

The 85 just seems so tempting though having seen plenty of photos of what people have done with it. I'm also getting more and more into studio portraiture which it's just ideal for. The lighter weight would also be nice...(also the lighter strain on the wallet).

I just considered the Micro for the little extra reach and it'd mean I could leave a seperate macro lens at home and double it up as a portrait lens. I guess it's a little slower focusing for that sort of thing though? I think I'll leave it out of my consideration for now.

 

[ryanyboy]

You're welcome mate. Just one thing - why do you say the 85 is ideal for studio work? You're not likely to be shooting at wide apertures in the studio so again I think the 70-200 would be the better choice

 

[LongLensPhotography]

I can't stop thinking D300 should be the first thing to get. It is fast and has better high ISO. Fuji takes ages to process the files.

Lens-wise, you can't beat 70-200mm f/2.8 VR for its versatility, although 105mm is pretty much a portraiture sweet-spot on crop and it does close-ups too! 85mm and 135mm are mouthwatering but I would think you'd want them on D700.

 

[ryanyboy]

I can't stop thinking D300 should be the first thing to get. It is fast and has better high ISO. Fuji takes ages to process the files.

Lens-wise, you can't beat 70-200mm f/2.8 VR for its versatility, although 105mm is pretty much a portraiture sweet-spot on crop and it does close-ups too! 85mm and 135mm are mouthwatering but I would think you'd want them on D700.

The OP has a D700 already

 

[Lazlo Woodbine]

You're welcome mate. Just one thing - why do you say the 85 is ideal for studio work? You're not likely to be shooting at wide apertures in the studio so again I think the 70-200 would be the better choice

I just like the focal length and the lighter weight. If I were only buying the lens for studio work it would be the one I'd go for no contest.

I can't stop thinking D300 should be the first thing to get. It is fast and has better high ISO. Fuji takes ages to process the files.

Lens-wise, you can't beat 70-200mm f/2.8 VR for its versatility, although 105mm is pretty much a portraiture sweet-spot on crop and it does close-ups too! 85mm and 135mm are mouthwatering but I would think you'd want them on D700.

Eventually I'd like another D700 or even a D3s so D300 would just be a stop gap if I got one. I'd rather spend the money on a lens which will last me much longer and still give me the extra couple of stops the better ISO performance of the D300 allows. In fact, it's probably only 1 stop as I'm just about ok with the noise at 1600 on the Fuji and would only go to 3200 at a push on the D300.

Yeah, the Fuji does sometimes frustrate when waiting for it to catch up but I just love the results it gives. If money were no object

 

[ShawWellPete]

I am growing to love the 135mm F2 DC

All of these were taken with it, I find it a fantastic focal length on a D700


Peter Blandford's photo


Madonna at Lawn Fest


Taken with Nikkor 135mm F2 DC

SB-600 in Softbox Camera left, reflector on stand camera right



a quickr pickr post

 

[AliB]

I'm a lucky, lucky girl, I have all three. (Only just got the 85mm last week though so still a novice with it)

I'd plump for the 70-200mm all day long fo sheer versatility at a wedding. The 85mm would be next on my list as it's just such a stunning lens and the 105mm macro, although a cracking portrait lens it is one that takes it's time about things and is more suited to portraiture where you can take more than one shot and you have more time.

HTH

 

[Lazlo Woodbine]

I am growing to love the 135mm F2 DC
quickr pickr post

Oh great, add another lens to my wish list why don't you?

It does look great but a little long for the initial use on a crop sensor I think.

I'm a lucky, lucky girl, I have all three. (Only just got the 85mm last week though so still a novice with it)

I'd plump for the 70-200mm all day long fo sheer versatility at a wedding. The 85mm would be next on my list as it's just such a stunning lens and the 105mm macro, although a cracking portrait lens it is one that takes it's time about things and is more suited to portraiture where you can take more than one shot and you have more time.

HTH

Yeah, I remember seeng your thread about buying all the camera equipment I ever wanted in one go, curse you.

I should probably just splash out for the 70-200 after all. On my Fuji it'll be a whopping 105-300mm so perfect for getting those close ups of swapping rings. Better start saving for the others...

 

[AliB]

Oh great, add another lens to my wish list why don't you?

Yeah, I remember seeng your thread about buying all the camera equipment I ever wanted in one go, curse you.

Funnily enough I thought the same about the 135mm.... Keep me away from it!

I had a few sleepless nights about spending that believe me, but the blow was softened considerably by the sale of the Canon gear I had accumulated over nearly 4 years. In the end my budget for changing was only 0.1% out

It did mean waiting for the 85mm f1.4 which I truly lusted over and saving up for it.

Now I want to play!!

 

[LongLensPhotography]

85mm f/1.8 (at least the Canon vesion) is still a stunning lens at a pocket friendly cost.

 

[Lazlo Woodbine]

Funnily enough I thought the same about the 135mm.... Keep me away from it!

I had a few sleepless nights about spending that believe me, but the blow was softened considerably by the sale of the Canon gear I had accumulated over nearly 4 years. In the end my budget for changing was only 0.1% out

It did mean waiting for the 85mm f1.4 which I truly lusted over and saving up for it.

Now I want to play!!

Well I suppose I can lessen my curses in that case.

Have fun with the 85! I look forward to seeing some results.

85mm f/1.8 (at least the Canon vesion) is still a stunning lens at a pocket friendly cost.

Yeah, thought about the 85 1.8 too since the Nikon version is supposed to be pretty good too. I'd only wish it was the 1.4 though and end up trading in eventually so I may as well just wait til I can afford the ones I really want.

 

[photon]

Yeah, thought about the 85 1.8 too

It's 170g lighter than the ƒ/1.4, if weight matters that much to you.

For macro, you could look out for the old Vivitar 2x macro teleconverter, to use with your 50mm. Manual focus (which doesn't matter a jot), cheapish, small, light.

 

[Lazlo Woodbine]

It's 170g lighter than the ƒ/1.4, if weight matters that much to you.

For macro, you could look out for the old Vivitar 2x macro teleconverter, to use with your 50mm. Manual focus (which doesn't matter a jot), cheapish, small, light.

The 1.4 has nicer bokeh though, at least in my opinion.

I have a Sigma 105mm for macro work which is good enough for me for that sort of thing. I just don't like it for portraits because it's so bloody loud whilst focusing and has a tendency to hunt in low light.