My first wedding this Saturday, which lenses to take..

4

4hero

Suspended / Banned
Messages
402
Name
...
Edit My Images
No
Hi folks,

I have been asked to do some candid shots of a friends nieces wedding this weekend. I've never shot a wedding before, but have done a few parties and the likes. I was wondering what would be the best lenses to take, to get the best possible results? Some shots will be indoors, and others outside. We would be doing mostly portraits, and the occasional group shot.

I'll be using 2x40D's and a friend will have a 30D and 350D. We would like to have the 4 cameras set up without having to change lenses (if possible). What would be the best lenses to use from this list that we have between us?

Canon MP-E65mm f2.8 Macro :thinking:
Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II x 2
Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5/5.6 L USM IS x 2
Canon EF 17-40mm f4 L USM
Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro
Canon EF-S 60mm f2.8 USM Macro
Canon EF 55-200mm f4.5/5.6 MK2 USM
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 x 2
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM
Canon EF 70-200mm f4 L IS USM

I'm sure I have missed one or two out..

Any advice would be great,

Nervous Neil :help:
 
I would also love to know which lenses are recommended. Im attending a wedding in two weeks ill just be shooting away but i have limited lenses. I only have kit lens, nifty fifty and 70-300 siggy!

From yours id take 70 - 200, 17 - 40 not sure what else.
 
well you have 6 quality lenses to chose from and with respect i would suggest ditching the rest
so you are left with

2 x 50mm f1.8
2 x 100-400mm f4-5.6
1 x 70-200mm f4
1 x 17-40mm f4

it would be worth both of you having the 50/1.8 for low light work(even if it is just in your pocket)
the 17-40/70-200 should be your weapons of choice, although one of you could make good use of the 100-400 in addition to the 50

use the lenses with the best quality and adjust position to suit the lens
 
Thanks. I love my 100-400 and 17-40, and thought these would do the trick nicely, but as I say, changing lenses is a pain in the bum and I love the 50mm also. I do have access to another couple of slr's but think I'd fall over :lol:

hmm, decisions...
 
I would go with the 60mm f/2.8 and 100mm f/2.8 macro lenses for candid shots. If the light isn't so good the nifties might struggle with focusing.

Then on the other 2 bodies the 17-40 and 70-200 are probably your best bet. Flash on the 17-40 and use the 70-200 outside.
 
Hmmm....I'm sure I saw this question somewhere else! ;)

Top 5 from that list:

Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II
Canon EF 17-40mm f4 L USM
Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM
Canon EF 70-200mm f4 L IS USM

Don't forget plenty of memory and batteries.


Some links to read through!
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Wedding-Photography-Part-1
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Wedding-Photography-Part-2
http://tips.romanzolin.com/articles/article006.php#IntheBagofWeddingPhotographer
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=464510
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=2453681
 
I've not got massive experiance, at all, but from that list (baring in mind you'll have 4 cameras) at the ready) i'd take :-

Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II x 2
Canon EF 17-40mm f4 L USM
Canon EF 70-200mm f4 L IS USM

Stick a nifty on one camera each, for those low light/portrait shots. And then decide who's taking the 17-40, or the 70-200.

Maybe have one of you doing some portrait style shots, with 1 or 2 people in the photo, and then the other with the slightly wider ranged lenses doing the type of shots with people stood round in a circle, enjoying a drink, laughing etc. Then maybe have a swap after a bit, and change roles, so you both get a bit of action with all the lenses.

Just an idea. :thumbs:
 
Canon MP-E65mm f2.8 Macro
Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II x 2 - I take this if you have the room but prob won't use it, it hunts too much in low light
Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5/5.6 L USM IS x 2 - Too long
Canon EF 17-40mm f4 L USM - General shots, you will use this the most
Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro - probably too long
Canon EF-S 60mm f2.8 USM Macro - some macro of the rings, dress patten
Canon EF 55-200mm f4.5/5.6 MK2 USM - Too slow
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 x 2 - Too Slow
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM - Wide shots, indoors
Canon EF 70-200mm f4 L IS USM - the distant candids
 
mattchewone said:
I would also love to know which lenses are recommended. Im attending a wedding in two weeks ill just be shooting away but i have limited lenses. I only have kit lens, nifty fifty and 70-300 siggy!

From yours id take 70 - 200, 17 - 40 not sure what else.
Click to expand...

Have you thought about hiring a lens from StewartR. Something like a 24-70 f2.8 L or a 24-105 f4 IS L
 
No i havent what sort of prices does it cost to hire never thought about it to be honest.
 
Thanks thats awesome never knew how cheap they are, im going to hire a 24-105L Lens £33 for a week is awesome!
 
I would take the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II x 2 and the Canon EF 70-200mm f4 L IS USM.
I shoot 90 percent of any wedding with my 50mm F1.2 L and could even do 100 percent no probs with it.

Canon 1DMKIII and Canon 50mm F1.2 L and fill flash.

A15.jpg



Canon 1DMKIII and Canon 50mm F1.2 L.

wed.jpg
 
Ill be taking my 50mm F1.8, and i think ill hire the 24-105 unless anyone suggests a different lens.
I currently have 70-300mm Sigma, but i dont particularly like it just doesnt seem sharp enough.
 
PapaLazarou said:
I have the 24-104 F4 L IS as a 2nd lens.
Click to expand...

Is it a good lens? Will it be suitable for weddings or is it a bit short? Might hire the 70-200 L aswell but not sure will see what funds are like.
 
Raymond Lin said:
I'd take the 24-70 L over the 28-105 L, no IS on the 24-70 but its F/2.8.
Click to expand...

Don't forget 24 -105 F4 is IS so you can hand hold at lower speeds then the 24 -70 F2.8 even though it's F4, and you get more depth of field.
The 24-105 is a corker of a lens, I love it pin sharp all the way from 24-105 and all f stops as well.
 
Speaking from experience you will need no more than the following
17-40 as your standard for the couple and groups
50mm for inside or low light work
70-200 for candids without the guests realising you are there

And be grateful you have all these options because when I started it was a Bronica SQA with an 80mm and 50mm and nothing else,Zooms,we we used our feet to get closer or farther away
 
To be honest I have struggled a bit indoors with the 24-105 f4. It's definately a lens in need of a flash.

I've got a 100mm f2.8 macro and I'd recommend the 60mm too, the 100mm is a bit much even on my FF 5D. It's a cracking one for shots of the rings though and doubles as a decent portrait lens.

I tend to favour 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200mm f2.8 for candids is a must. I think the 100-400mm might be a bit too long?
 
PapaLazarou said:
Don't forget 24 -105 F4 is IS so you can hand hold at lower speeds then the 24 -70 F2.8 even though it's F4, and you get more depth of field.
The 24-105 is a corker of a lens, I love it pin sharp all the way from 24-105 and all f stops as well.
Click to expand...

The IS will be ok in the church, but in the evening reception the IS will do b****r all as everyone is moving and dancing.

I would stil choose the 2.8 over IS, as you are shooting people, IS is moot when they move, and they will.
 
I might hire out the 17-40 and the 24-105 just to see what there both like.

Well i can only really afford to rent one but im not sure on which one!
 
Dont bother with the 17-40 I have it and never use it for weddings.
The 24-105 or 24-70 will give your more options.

Take these
50mm F1.8
24-104 F4 or the 24-70 F2.8.
 
Thanks folks. I'll ponder over your comments and take a look at the links michaelgreen78 posted :thumbs:
 
Sorry to have hijacked your thread 4hero!

PapaLazarou said:
Dont bother with the 17-40 I have it and never use it for weddings.
The 24-105 or 24-70 will give your more options.

Take these
50mm F1.8
24-104 F4 or the 24-70 F2.8.
Click to expand...

Ill take my nifty fifty and ill hire the 24-105L as thats what i am saving for so i think hiring it will be a good chance to practise with!
 
mattchewone said:
Sorry to have hijacked your thread 4hero!



Ill take my nifty fifty and ill hire the 24-105L as thats what i am saving for so i think hiring it will be a good chance to practise with!
Click to expand...

The 24-105 F4 IS USM is a fantastic lens and one I would never be without.
It's great all through it's focal range and F stops, pin sharp all the way.


Canon 24-105 F4 at F4

WD59.JPG
 
PapaLazarou said:
The 24-105 F4 IS USM is a fantastic lens and one I would never be without.
It's great all through it's focal range and F stops, pin sharp all the way.


Canon 24-105 F4 at F4

WD59.JPG
Click to expand...

Looks like you have won me over! Ill hire it if i get on with it ill be purchasing one soon ish!
 
You can't base your decision on 1 photo taken on a bright day outside reduced to 600 x 405 pixels !
 
I'm a fan of the 24-105mm f4, and if i were only able to take one lens to a wedding it would be this one(i have done 5 weddings), but it will struggle in the church and also in the reception. from my collection of lenses the 50mm f1.4 fills the bill (for low light) but i would expect a 85mm f1.2 would be better. The 70-200 f2.8 is good for candids if you are the second photographer but (I) find it hard to make use of if you are working solo. the 24-105mm also works well on close ups for flowers/ rings /dress detail etc
 
And here is 1 from an almost pitch black disco.

MAH10281.jpg


It's knowing how to use your kit that gets you the shot.
 
I am not saying the 24-105 is a bad lens nor disputing your experience with it, but i don't see how these tiny pictures justify using the lens, or any lens for that matter.

This is taken on a Tamron 17-50 2.8.......ISO 3200

img7097px0.jpg
 
Even with my 50mm F1.2 L it's useless in a pitch black disco without flash.
If he needs a walk about lens that can deliver great shots he cant go wrong with the 24-105.
Not saying the 24-70 is bad, it's a great lens but he can save a fair few £££ with the 24-105 and I would say it's a better lens as well.
 
These wedding threads make great reading...................:lol:
 
PapaLazarou said:
Even with my 50mm F1.2 L it's useless in a pitch black disco without flash.
If he needs a walk about lens that can deliver great shots he cant go wrong with the 24-105.
Not saying the 24-70 is bad, it's a great lens but he can save a fair few £££ with the 24-105 and I would say it's a better lens as well.
Click to expand...

Think ill invest in one, but once going through the hirelenses site i am re-thinking whether to hire or not as its £66 return delivery and i just dont have that money at the moment so i might just save up for one.
 
As it's cropped sensor bodies all round, why not hire a Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS? It's very sharp, decent wide-angle for a cropped sensor, fairly fast for low light and has 3-stop IS to minimise camera shakes.

Personally, that would be my first choice of lens. Next would be the 10-22mm and 70-200mm f/4 L IS. In fact, those are the three lenses I took to a recent wedding where the vast majority of shots were taken with the 17-55mm.
 
Well i think my next investment will either be the 17-55/24-70 not decided yet or the 24-105mm L lens.
Then ill be getting 70-200L F4 IS
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top