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Question: Lenses to buy for wedding!?
Hey everyone!
A friend asked me to photograph her wedding for her (I am amateur) so I am doing it for free!.!.!. well 2 more of my friends asked me to photograph there weddings now (based on one wedding I have already done, and engagement photo's of other friends)!. So, If im going to be doing a lot of this, I want to make sure Im well equipped!
What kind of lenses should I buy/do you think I need for a wedding!? I have heard about 'image stabilizing' lenses - not sure what they are or anything, but I heard they were a wise choice for weddings!.!.!.!.
Thanks :)Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
An image stabilizing lens helps compensate for the shake that you have anytime your camera is hand-held!. It is worth about two stops!. They are generally cheaper and smaller than a fast lens, but the optics are probably not as good!. Without tons of money, everything in photography seems to be a compromise!. So it would allow you to take pictures at a longer focal length, less light, etc!. When using a tripod, you don't generally need IS!. Same for when using a flash (the flash duration becomes the controlling factor)!.
You've been getting some advice on zoom ranges, so I'll add mine!. -with the Rebel, I think you need to get down to the 17mm area for wide angle, an probably not more than 80mm on the telephoto end!. Go to a camera store and try some out, keeping in mind the settings you expect to be in!. I don't think you will be satisfied with 'across the room' shots, but with a digital, you can see for yourself right away!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
If you are an amateur, you should really already know this!.
Just get a decent zoom!. The bigger the aperture range the bigger, you want as much light as possible so that you can use a decent speed but still retain depth of field!.
You can get something like a 28-200mm lens which can help you cover most angles from a distance or close by!.
If you use a flash (if you can, as many churches have a no-flash policy), it has to be very powerful but use a diffuser!.
But be aware that a good zoom will be expensive, but well worth it!.
Additional answer!.!.!.!.
If you are taking pictures for a wedding, you SHOULD know something about photography, so your snotty reply is uncalled for!.
Being an amateur or a beginner, you should be reading about photography, what the differences are in lenses, why use a particular lens for a particular place/time, and what settings will give you the best quality image!.
Just having a camera doesn't make one a photographer!.
Overall, for events where you are planning to move around a lot and need/want to have various angles, distance from your subjects, a zoom lens is the best way to go as you will not have time to switch lens during the ceremony!.
also, if you can, always use more than just one camera!. If you can, then you can have a setup with one of them having a normal (50mm) lens, and have a fixed telephoto lens on the other!.
As already stated, since this is indoors and you probably won't get to use a flash, you need a lens with a large aperture, in the range of an F1!.4 - F2 would be best, but very expensive!. Most "normal price" lens are usually a F3-F4!.
also, you will need a tripod/monopod that you can move around with as you will have to have a slower speed!.
Technically, when using a zoom, always use a tripod/monopod, as unless you are outside on a very bright day, you'll never get the speeds required to prevent blurs!.
And always make sure that you always have double of what you'd expect to use in batteries and film/memory!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Most professional (or advanced amateurs) use mostly a wide angle - moderate tele zoom, like the 17-55mm f/2!.8!. You need a WA for formals and candids!. You might use a longer lens in the ceremony if you have to shoot from the back of the church!. Image stabilization will give you about a stop, maybe two if you use good technique, so it would be worthwhile thing to have, especially for a casual shooter!. My advice is to get the best lens you can afford!. I use the Tamron 17-50 f/2!.8 frequently!. It is not quite as good as the Nikon, but it is very close in image quality and sharpness and about a third of the price!. The best bang for the buck would be a 50mm f/1!.8!. great for portraits on a crop frame, and low light!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
You wanna shoot a wedding, and you say "don't get picky"!?!?!? And you're wanting to spring big bucks for a (decent) lens, just to shoot a wedding!?
Use the stupid kit lens!.!.!.and don't be snotty!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Wide angle and a portrait telephoto always use a good flash and try to shoot a lot out doors! But not before about 3:30 p!.m!.
Best wishes,
Tara Jerich
www!.WeddingPhotosHouston!.comWww@QuestionHome@Com
go for 24-120mm for wedding Www@QuestionHome@Com
You'll have to be off to the side for the ceremony and without flash!. So you need a fast lens!. Most zooms are slow at f/3!.5!. Canon makes a 85/1!.8 for $350 (see link) which is two stops faster than your f/3!.5!. If you are rich they make an 85 f/1!.2 which is another stop faster than the f/1!.8
85mm is probably a veratile focal length for you!. It's the natural "portrait length" for taking formal photos after the ceremony!. It'll give you some zoom capability to take photos during the ceremony!.
At the reception you can just use your zoom, with flash and diffuser!.Www@QuestionHome@Com