Which lens for ceremony? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/28/2009 11:42:31 PM · #1

I'm shooting a wedding this Saturday and am looking for a recommendation on lens to shoot the ceremony with. I've read that the 70-200 is good to keep far away from the event itself, but I'm guessing those who wrote it are using full frame and I'm not. So, 24-70 or 70-200? It's will be here: Ross Hulman

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

09/28/2009 11:47:59 PM · #2

24-70, no question... and have your 10-20 handy!

trevytrev

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

09/28/2009 11:55:49 PM · #3

I'll second Shannon though I will say you should have both the lens he suggested and the 70-200 :-) The 70-200 comes in handy during the vows and first kiss without having to get right up front so you not so obtrusive, just a matter of opinion though.

09/28/2009 11:56:01 PM · #4

Originally posted by scalvert:

24-70, no question... and have your 10-20 handy!

I was thinking of having a wider lens on the other camera so that may definitely work.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

09/28/2009 11:56:58 PM · #5

Originally posted by trevytrev:

I'll have the lenses there, but I'm concerned that I'll miss something if I'm fiddling with lenses. Maybe I just worry too much...

trevytrev

Canon EOS-5D

09/29/2009 12:06:08 AM · #6

Originally posted by Ken:

Originally posted by trevytrev:
I'll second Shannon though I will say you should have both the lens he suggested and the 70-200 :-) The 70-200 comes in handy during the vows and first kiss without having to get right up front so you not so obtrusive, just a matter of opinion though.

I'll have the lenses there, but I'm concerned that I'll miss something if I'm fiddling with lenses. Maybe I just worry too much...

I hear ya, I usually have the 24-70 on for procession and meeting of the bride and groom while stationed up front. Then I head to the back, while the JOP or Priest does the introduction, and get some wide angle and fisheye shots. I make sure I have my tele on for the vows and first kiss and then switch back to my 24-70 for the exit. Varies sometimes depending on the situation but that is a jest for me. I'm no pro but the amount handful of weddings that I have done this year it has worked nicely for me, ymmv.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

09/29/2009 12:06:33 AM · #7

Rent an extra body.

apercep

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon

09/29/2009 12:20:36 AM · #8

shot my last wedding with a 17-50mm 2.8. it brings a sense of intimacy to everything. makes it easier to separate out distracting background elements.

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

09/29/2009 12:36:23 AM · #9

Originally posted by faidoi:

Rent an extra body.

I have a 400D I can use so I'm sure I'll be using that if needed.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

09/29/2009 12:39:24 AM · #10

Originally posted by Ken:

Originally posted by faidoi:
Rent an extra body.

I have a 400D I can use so I'm sure I'll be using that if needed.

24-70 on 40d and the 70-200 on the 400d.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

09/29/2009 12:43:52 AM · #11

Originally posted by trevytrev:

So how do you handle the lenses? Carry a bag, assistant? It's been yrs since I've been to a wedding and am pretty confident I can pull this off, but these little details are driving me nuts.

trevytrev

Canon EOS-5D

09/29/2009 01:06:34 AM · #12

Originally posted by Ken:

Originally posted by trevytrev:

I hear ya, I usually have the 24-70 on for procession and meeting of the bride and groom while stationed up front. Then I head to the back, while the JOP or Priest does the introduction, and get some wide angle and fisheye shots. I make sure I have my tele on for the vows and first kiss and then switch back to my 24-70 for the exit. Varies sometimes depending on the situation but that is a jest for me. I'm no pro but the amount handful of weddings that I have done this year it has worked nicely for me, ymmv.

So how do you handle the lenses? Carry a bag, assistant? It's been yrs since I've been to a wedding and am pretty confident I can pull this off, but these little details are driving me nuts.

I keep a camera bag towards the back of the ceremony and will bring it up front and off to the side if I feel I might need a lens while up there. There is usually, i'll stress "usually", enough downtime and filler time during a ceremony for you to go back to the bag and switch lenses as long as you know what is coming next. Just know about what time the main events are going down and make sure you have the lens of choice at hand or on the camera for those. I'm always way more nervous the day before than the day of:-)

ace flyman

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/29/2009 02:01:00 AM · #13

A 2nd camera is a good idea. I did my first wedding 2 weeks ago, used the 24-70mm most of the time. During the ceremony used the 70-200mm. The ceremony goes quickly, almost missed the wedding party coming back down the isle when switching back to the 24-70mm. I have another one in two weeks, renting a 2nd camera this time. I used a belt carrier to hold the lens and lens case for the 70-200mm. Might had look funny, but had everything I needed and didn't have to take a chance of leaving my gear somewhere while I shot. Shooting before and after the ceremony was no problem, again the ceremony itself went real fast. Also if using speed lights, they get hot and the recycle time can hurt, suggest 2 flash units. Hats off to the guys that do weddings, itâ��s a lot of work.

bobonacus

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

09/29/2009 05:41:22 AM · #14

I've only ever assisted one wedding but having your 400d body is deffinitley the way to go. You can then get wide angle and close ups very easily without having to move or mess around changing lenses .... I also use a lens belt pouch to carry another lens so it's on hand if you need to swap

09/29/2009 09:22:50 AM · #15

I was originally going to use the 400D as an emergency backup only, but after reading this, I think I'll have it loaded and ready to go. Thanks everyone.

AJSullivan

09/29/2009 09:26:27 AM · #16

While I agree with most of the answers above, its still important to point out that there is no stock ceremony lens, as it really depends on where you are going to be and what the requirements of the church are...aka no flash, certain places you can't go, etc.