Lens recommendations – Wedding photography

Hey all,

Long time since I've posted anything but I find myself needing some help…again. What would be an ideal lens(es) to shoot a wedding in? I personally think low light lenses are probably a must (f2.8 and lower) but other than that has anyone found that certain lenses yield the best results for the types of images that are shot during a wedding? Keep in mind: I am a very dynamic, "what if I did this…" kind of photographer that isn't afraid to get crazy angles and do things that haven't really been seen before.

Also, what would be a good idea for the reception as for lighting?! Should I bring my studio lights on in or buy something new? I was recently at a wedding and had my eye trained on the photographer nearly the entire time, picking things up and critiquing. I noticed no matter where he was located in the room a flash went off…he had flashes slung up on the rafters/posts around the reception hall that were triggered by the camera. What are these?! They seem much easier than studio lights and are much much smaller.

Any help at all would be great!

Tags: candid, lens, lenses, photo, photography, photos, wedding, weddings

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Permalink Reply by Jason Fortner on June 18, 2010 at 2:43pm

Your shooting canon, I think their big boy lenses are "L" series. Get some. I shoot Nikon, at a wedding I bring 70-200 f2.8 and a 24-70 f2.8.. I tried without the 2.8's once, I don't recomend it unless you like post processing untill your eyes burn out of their sockets. If you're strapped for cash you can usually rent them pretty cheap. I still rent the 24-70, I can only buy one over priced lens at a time. (well, overpriced till you use one, then its like heroin, I'd sell my soul for two more pro lenses... any takers?) Apart from that, fisheye's can be fun, 14mm, 16mm Get high and shoot low, get low and shoot high, your dynamic you'll figure it out. I don't think you would ever need more than a 200 for a wedding. Bring a macro if you can get a hold of one, there's always a good chance for close up's that people don't think about but when my clients see them they become the album cover. I hope this helps. Happy shooting. Flash from the ceiling? I'm in, how much?

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Permalink Reply by Carol Stark on June 18, 2010 at 4:10pm

All my glass is f2.8 or better. My favorite lens is my Tamron 28-70mm. But I have a 5d, so the 28mm is truly a wide. I also have a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8. These lenses are a fraction of the Canon L glass and to most eyes there is not a hugely noticeable difference. I also have an 18-55mm f2.8 but haven't use it for a wedding - yet.

I'd guess that the pro either was using Pocket Wizards or he had the Nikon lighting system. Wonder how many flash units he had in place, and how long it took to do all the setup? Sounds awesome.

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Permalink Reply by Mirenchu on June 20, 2010 at 8:18am

I guess the flashes were Nikon Speedlights. I have an SB900 that will control a couple SB600 and I obtain great results. I agree with Jason about the lenses.

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Permalink Reply by Nicholas on June 23, 2010 at 11:24am

This is great help!

Mirenchu – Do those speedlites work with Canons? They were small and strung up around the room on columns and such about 9 feet up or so. I'm assuming speedlights or pocket wizards, but they would be great to have! Do you recommend them? What all would you need for these?

Thanks Jason & Carol, good ideas and those were a few of the lenses I was planning on going with.