What is the ideal lens for Wedding Photography

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Michelle
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Hi I am just starting out in the buisness and was wondering what would be the best lens to use for weddings

I currently have a Canon 40D and a 400D (for back-up)
Canon 28-135mm IS
Sigma 18-50mm f2.8
Sigma 10-22mm
Canon 75-300mm
and I have just bought a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8

Out of these lenses what would be the best option to use as the general lens??

Any advise would be great
Many thanks in advance

Michelle
 
Well if I look back through any of my stuff I reckon 80% of all Wedding shots are taken with the Canon 70-200 2.8, if it helps I carry 2 bodies and normally have the the 70-200 mounted on the 1DMk3 and the std 17-85 kit lens on the 40D but yes, 70-200 is very versatile but I do love the 17-85, I have the option of a 24-70 2.8L but it rarely gets used, until I get a FF body I will use the 17-85 !
 
Depends what style you are doing it in, really - for reportage style, something like 70-200mm is more suitable. As already stated, two bodies with is best, the other with something in the 17-70mm range.
 
Gut feel... Sigma 18-50 on one body and Sigma 70-200 on the other
 
Hi Ian

Your wedding photography is super - I've just had a nosey on your site. You have taken some beautiful images!

I have to say I was touched by your tribute to Chloe - it is beautiful xx
 
I don't see a 70-200 as essential, especially for reportage.

Personally I consider a wide-angle zoom the best starting point, and for you that's the 18-50mm. I shoot 95% of my weddings with a 24-70 and 50/1.4. I tend to use a 70-200 for some of the bridal portraits but not much else. It's a lens more for headshots and headshots aren't reportage in my book.

And one more thing - a 70-200 isn't a light lens and carrying one for 10 hours will kill you.
 
I have to say though its alot lighter than the Sigma 50-500mm that I've just sold - that was a bit af a weight and I'm only 5'4"
 
24-70L (f2.8)
70-200L (f2.8 IS)

A few primes would be good... 50L (or f/1.8) and 85L seems to be popular.
 
Shelly
The 40D is fine and I'd have the 18-50 f2.8 on that. On the 400D, the 70-200 f2.8. THe 400 is a fine camera but is not as well suited to wedding photography just because it's not the quickest camera to work with. When under pressure you need to know your equipment inside out and be able to change settings quickly.

Rather than use the 400D as a backup, make use of it during the day to capture the story around you. If either fails they backup each other.

The 28-135mm IS is a slow lens. When shooting in a dark hurch you woill struggle to get decent shutter speeds and you will almost always be at a very high ISO.

The Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 is a nice fast lens. Not as good as the canon 17-55 f2.8IS but decent nevertheless.

The Sigma 10-22mm is another excellent lens and use of the perspective can add a fdifferent dimension to your wedding. I use my 10-22 sparingly though.

Canon 75-300mm - You have the 70-200 f2.8.... I'd sell the canon.

The 70-200mm f2.8 is a fine lens - again not as good as the canon but still a cracking lens. Only problem is you need to maintain a shutter speed above 1/200th to get sharp images.

THat's why I went with the Canon 2.8L IS. Shooting at 200mm 1/30th sec with IS is just amazing!

I agree with Kryprix - buy a couple of primes for low light situations. A 50 f1.4 (no need to go for the L) or an 85 f1.8 (again no need for the L) are excellent. The lenses do make life easier though :)

I carry my two cameras with the 70-200 and a pick from my other lenses depending on the wedding and conditions. THe 70-200 is glued to my 20D - it's that good!

What about flash? You need a couple of these too. 580s are the standard flash for a wedding
 
My workhorse lens is 28-70f2.8 (now 24-70f2.8). This gives me great flexability when switching between bridal couples and groups. Occationally in the home I may use 16-35f2.8 if space is tight. For candids and church interiors I have 70-200f.28IS on my second body. Basically two bodies with two lenses gives me a range of 28-200mm without having to constantly switch lenses.
 
I use mostly a the 24-70 on one body and 85mm on another. I've not yet used my 80-200 at any wedding.

Which lenses to use CAN NOT come from a forum. You develop your style which dictates which lenses you use.
 
to be completely different....

my standard len is the 28-300 L, which in decent light gives me all the options I need, and I have the 1.4 50mm and f2 100mm in my pocket to swap to if it gets dark.

If I need a zoom in lower light I switch to the 70-200 2.8L
 
Believe me, carry one for 10 hours non-stop at a wedding whilst managing all the people and you'll feel it
 
Radiohead said:
And one more thing - a 70-200 isn't a light lens and carrying one for 10 hours will kill you.
Click to expand...

I have been known to carry two 1d mkii bodies one with the 70-200 on and one with the 28-300 on

one on each shoulder is fine, and use a wrist strap!
 
Radiohead said:
Well done you ;)

Now shoot continuously with them for 10-12 hours. It ain't fun.
Click to expand...

may I suggest a trip to the gym:D:D:D

in all seriousness - I also think it is to much weight to be using continously for that long

Cheers

Hugh
 
I haven't got a handbag, my hands are full with two bodies with big lenses on

:razz:

seriously, it's not something I choose to do every day, but in the past I have done.
 
:D

Personally I wouldn't use a 70-200 and a 28-300 at the same time, but whatever works for you. All I'm saying is that:

a) a 70-200 isn't essential IMVHO
b) a 70-200 carried for 10-12 hours is not a lightweight option

keirik - you've got no homepage linked so how was I to know that?
 
Radiohead said:
:D

Personally I wouldn't use a 70-200 and a 28-300 at the same time, but whatever works for you. All I'm saying is that:

a) a 70-200 isn't essential IMVHO
b) a 70-200 carried for 10-12 hours is not a lightweight option

keirik - you've got no homepage linked so how was I to know that?
Click to expand...

agreed
agreed
and agreed

:)

generally my assistant has my other body anyway and if not I'd usually stick a prime on one of them as per my earlier post.
 
I'm going to sell my sigma 70- 200 f2.8 because of the weight of it. Is the canon one any lighter or is this still really heavy too. I've considered getting the 70-200 f4 has anyone any views on which lens is probably best for me. I'm only small too and really struggle with the weight of these.

Any suggestions.
 
missmoloko said:
I'm going to sell my sigma 70- 200 f2.8 because of the weight of it. Is the canon one any lighter or is this still really heavy too. I've considered getting the 70-200 f4 has anyone any views on which lens is probably best for me. I'm only small too and really struggle with the weight of these.

Any suggestions.
Click to expand...

no idea about the sigma, and despite how I may have been interpreted in my earlier posts, the Canon 70-200 is still a heavy lens (assuming you're talking about the L).
 
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