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10/18/2005 07:58:34 PM · #1 |
It looks like I'm shooting my brother's wedding. I've shot 2 of my friends weddings before (not as the primary photographer) and have been happy with the results so I think I'm prepared in that respect.
To those experienced wedding shooters, if you had to buy one lens for a wedding, which of the following would you get?
Nikon 17-55 f/2.8
Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR
Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6
I have an 18-70 f/3.5-4.5, 70-300 f/4-5.6 and 50 1.8 (plus SB-800 & lightsphere II). Though I'd love to get the VR, I think it is outside of my budget. (I may have to make some deals with my parents to be able to afford any of them)...I'm thinking the 17-55 would be best, even with the overlap. Anyone else? Other recommendations? (I plan to get a second battery and probably 1 more gig of flash storage (I have 1.7 gigs total now)
Thanks
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10/18/2005 08:03:20 PM · #2 |
you won't probably get much use out of longer lenses, but i'm better if you had a wider lense, you would use it.
get a backup body, even if it's film.
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10/18/2005 08:11:32 PM · #3 |
Unfortunately a backup body will probably not be an option. My dad has an old Pentax MF body, so I may be able to use that (though the only useful lens he has for it is a 50 1.8). My budget is very tight (I'm about to graduate and am awaiting a job offer)
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10/18/2005 08:12:34 PM · #4 |
I wouldn't feel bad shooting with what you got plus the 17-55 2.8 You need the speed and right now you don't have it. Much better then the 10-20 and so if you can't get the VR (best choice) then get the 2.8
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10/20/2005 02:23:50 AM · #5 |
In your position, I would get the 17-55. While 2.8 is fast, you may want to shoot at f/4 or f/5.6, keeping your backgrounds far away from your subjects to get nice bokeh. You need the higher aperture to keep everyone sharp (which is a pain during group shots). The 2.8 is great for better focusing and when you want to take a flashless candid, which happens a lot during a wedding (no flash in some churches).
the LS2 will also be handy, as will that SB 800. Depending on your style of shooting, you may want to bring extra batteries. I'd suggest 10 at least (I'd use the 5th battery if I were you).
When shooting ambient candids, the 50 1.8 will really come in handy. The 18-70 will help when you can shoot flash and need the reach. That 70-300 is going to be dog slow, but if you can find a balcony or overhead, those shots tend to look real nice.
Max
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10/20/2005 05:33:23 AM · #6 |
Ive beggan shooting weddings this year, with equipment similar to yours.
The 5th battery for me is not a consideration, is a must! I have 2 packs of 5 batteries per flash and normally is enough, even when using a lot of fill-in flash. I love to use natural light and I don't have very fast lenses, so whenever I can I use the 50mm f1.8 in inside home/church photos. The 18mm wide of the kit lens is good but not very wide for big group shoots. In this area I'm planning to adquire the 10-20mm in the end of the year.
About the tele lens I think it's very usefull. I love to shoot candids with it. When pleople are distracted in the garden, or waiting outside the church or so I backup a bit and put the 70-300mm D ED and shoot. People just love this kind of photos, because they are natural and relaxed. About 60-75% of the photos I sell to the gests are this ones. Good blured backgrouns (I put myselt the most far away posible so I can zoom a lot in order to blur the background more). I'm also planning in investing in a 70-200f2.8, but the sigma version. I also do action photos so the vr don't stop the motion... so vr is not revey usefull, and sigma costs almost half. f you can live withought the vr and want to stick to nikon I've heard good things about the 80-200f2.8
Sometimes I with the kit lens were a bit more long in the tele end, so the 24-120mm vr is also a good general lens.Not veery fast but here the vr might give you some help.
Hope through my personal question that I might have helped a bit.
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10/20/2005 05:46:58 AM · #7 |
| I'd find the 17-55 would be your best choice! I never use anything bigger than 75mm for a wedding! |
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10/20/2005 08:08:53 AM · #8 |
| I use my Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 most of the time for weddings. It gives you a little longer reach than the 17-55mm. If you need wide, you can use the 18-70mm kit lens. |
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10/20/2005 12:04:00 PM · #9 |
Thanks again to all for their advice, I'd go with the Tamron, but the wide angle of the kit lens is its weakest area imho. I'm leaning more and more towards the 17-55.
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