Wedding Lenses?

pretty standard really,

essential

24-70 2.8
70-200 2.8

used lots

50 1.4
85 1.4

used occasionally

14-24 2.8

Hugh
 
Essential is probably a 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 if you can afford it (or it's 30mm rival for crop sensors) very very handy for those dim dark churches you sometimes get.
 
On my 1.6X croppers I've used my 17-55/2.8 IS and 70-200/2.8L IS.
On my 1D3 I've used my 16-35/2.8L and 24-70/2.8L.
I have a 50/1.4 and 85/1.8 for low light and a 10-22 for ultra wide angle but have not used them at a wedding.

Ideally, f/2.8 and faster is the way to go. Focal length choice really depends on personal style, venue (space constraints), size of wedding party and sensor size. IS is a big plus, especially on the 70-200.
 
I'd say an IS-equipped telephoto zoom would be handy. IS won't freeze movement, but it will allow you to take some photos at shutter speeds that would otherwise be shaky and blurred.

Cheers,
James
 
Why would you need a 50mm prime if you have the 24-70L? Is it just that the prime is sharper or is it the larger aperture? Just a question from a complete novice.
 
Why would you need a 50mm prime if you have the 24-70L? Is it just that the prime is sharper or is it the larger aperture? Just a question from a complete novice.

1.4 (for example) is two whole stops faster than 2.8.

I was shooting in a hotel this week (not a wedding) I just had my 24-70 f2.8 with me. In some rooms I was shooting at 1/10th at f2.8 and 3200 ISO. It does get pretty dark in some places. At f1.4 that would've been 1/40th which would've been nice.

EDIT, that was mid-afternoon.
 
For the zoomers:

24-70
70-200
50

1.4 is good, but should be used very carefully. DoF is so shallow that it's inevitable you'll get a lot of soft shots (not to mention you lose sharpness wide open) due to focus position. For people, you don't really want to go below 2 unless its specifically for the effect (details etc).
 
You need a fisheye lens. But don't ask me why.

I'm always amazed at the number of people who hire fisheyes for weddings. I really struggle to see what they do with them, though. But recently I have decided that maybe I'm just not sufficiently imaginative / creative, and a fisheye really is an essential part of a wedding photographer's kit.
 
You need a fisheye lens. But don't ask me why.

I'm always amazed at the number of people who hire fisheyes for weddings. I really struggle to see what they do with them, though. But recently I have decided that maybe I'm just not sufficiently imaginative / creative, and a fisheye really is an essential part of a wedding photographer's kit.

I guess it's a gimmick that a lot of non-photographers will think is cool. And it's something that you can't do with a point n shoot, so it will stand out against Uncle Dave's snapshots, even to an untrained eye.

I have seen a few fairly nice, fishy wedding shots though.
 
I am sure that in the right hands, pretty much any lens could be used to good effect by an experienced creative wedding photographer.

However, the less experienced would be wise to stick to a standard length zoom, along with a wide angle and telephoto. A good flash unit and maybe a tripod.

Having faster glass is really something you owe the bride and groom if you are getting paid well. It just increases your chances of getting sharper shots.

I've never shot a wedding and possibly never would. I have the greatest respect for anyone that can handle that pressure.

Graham

nb I missed the fact that you have suggested you already do weddings. In which case I'm slightly confused about why you would ask the question.
 
You need a fisheye lens. But don't ask me why.

I'm always amazed at the number of people who hire fisheyes for weddings. I really struggle to see what they do with them, though. But recently I have decided that maybe I'm just not sufficiently imaginative / creative, and a fisheye really is an essential part of a wedding photographer's kit.

You need a fishy so you can climb up a signpost and get shots like this (not my photo but I was there when it was taken)....

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3220011981_cb1d7f9c85_o.jpg

or this from a lower viewpoint (ditto)....

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3413/3220447515_47970f6caa.jpg
 
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