Lens for wedding... - DPChallenge Forums

08/24/2005 11:33:21 PM · #1

I'm going to a relative's wedding next week and although they will have a professional photographer there, they are encouraging everyone to take pictures (they know I LOVE photography). I want to catch some of the moments that the professional may miss (candids etc...) but I don't know what the best lens for that would be. I have a 50mm 1.8 as well as an 18-70mm 4.5 (standard with the D70)...can someone suggest a good lens for what I'm after?

Thanks

PhantomEWO

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/24/2005 11:40:26 PM · #2

The 50 will do great indoors and lower light. If you don't want to keep trading lenses or fighting to get the correct distance from your subject I think I would use the 18-70 for almost everything. If you try to keep changing lenses you may miss the best shots. Good luck and have fun.

parrothead

Canon EOS-40D

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

08/24/2005 11:40:41 PM · #3

That 50 would be wonderful! The 18 range will be good for nicely lit shots! But from my experience, expect the worst lighting conditions possible.

PhantomEWO

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/24/2005 11:43:29 PM · #4

Do you have a good flash to help as fill flash or even as direct flash if needed?

08/24/2005 11:51:16 PM · #5

I only have the flash attached to the camera...I dont' want to bother people with an irritating flash..and also, my experiences with the flash make everything look too bright...any help on that would be great.

Also, I had a question for everyone here...I've been practicing with my D70 a lot lately and my pictures seem to be very grainy at the large quality level. I look at some of your pictures and on smugmug.com where I have a site, and I blow some other peoples' photos up to original file size and the quality is AMAZING...mine always seem to be too grainy! I use AUTO ISO, can someone help with this too?

Thanks!

Message edited by author 2005-08-25 00:01:17.

08/25/2005 01:46:17 AM · #6

Go with the 50mm 1.8

I shot a wedding a few weeks ago (the entire day) and had two bodies so i could switch between a zoom with a flash and a 50mm. The 50mm shots for indoors almost ALWAYS looks better. The natural light you get with 50mm is much more flattering... unless it is VERY dark.

I put my iso on 400, with f stop at 2, and was able to shoot around 1/45 of a second most of the day. That kept the grain almost non existant.

petrakka

08/25/2005 01:51:56 AM · #7

learning to use a flash is part of learning photography ... not wanting to bother people with it.. psh cmon. you are there to get wedding photos, everyone and there mother even has flashes going off on their little digi p/s camera. The flash on the d70 isnt good for that great a distance but learn to work with it. If you feel your photos are too bright with the flash, dial down to -.3 or -.6 EV (exposure compensation) or even a full stop if you feel necessary.

I would use the 50 indoors, like how leaf said, as an on camera flash used as the main light source can look pretty bad, but as a fill flash (when its bright enough out and you just wanna get rid of some shadows) then it can look fine.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

08/25/2005 01:59:47 AM · #8

Well i was going to post before DO NOT USRE THE IN CAMERA FLASH.

however, i seem to be disagreeing with you quite a bit petrakka. I agree one should learn to use it though. If it is a detached flash, well then we are talking, but the on camera flash isn't really up to much.

I suppose though, like you said, if you shoot at a slow shutter speed and use the flash only minimally it can look ok....

Spork99

OM System OM-1

08/25/2005 03:32:53 AM · #9

I would hesitate to use flash if I were you. I've seen clergy stop a wedding and remind a photographer about the no flash rule. Worse, since you have a DSLR, you might get mistaken for a second, or third, shooter in which case, the clergy might blame the pro for your indiscretion. If you want to use the flash, at least mention it to the officiant and do what they ask.

gbautista87

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

08/25/2005 03:40:51 AM · #10

I'd bring a telephoto. It would help you get more candids because you will be able to shoot from farther away and people wont notice you as much. When people see a camera pointed at them, they tend to pose and it's harder to get a good candid. If you could, use a bright lens and shoot wide open and use a monopod.

I'd definitely bring a flash. I've actually seen wedding photographers set up a couple of slaves around the area to get better lighting.

Also try to bring a wide range of focal lengths to get different perspectives. Some photographers will carry two or three cameras with different lens (wide angle, standard zoom, and telephoto).

Message edited by author 2005-08-25 03:46:26.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

08/25/2005 03:44:35 AM · #11

If you really want to shoot, why not use the occasion to rent a really nice lens or two for the weekend?

gbautista87

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

08/25/2005 03:48:31 AM · #12

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

If you really want to shoot, why not use the occasion to rent a really nice lens or two for the weekend?

Yeah, if it's really important to you, I would rent equiptment. A telephoto will compliment the 18-70mm nicely.

nsbca7

08/25/2005 03:50:05 AM · #13

Originally posted by petrakka:

Skip the flash and learn to work without it. Unless you have an off camera flash or strobe and know how to use it all you will get will be no better then "everyone and thier Mother's" family album pics with the white or red dot on the eyes and the overexposed shiny foreheads.

Without the flash you will be able to get all the subtle colors - the wood grain of the pews, the rich tones coming in from the stained glass windows, the yellows in the flickers of the candles that would all otherwise be washed out if you had used it.

Set the camera on Av mode, open the aperture up on your fastest lens, up the ISO to what is reasonable for you camera, hold the camera steady and take the time to frame your picture.

08/25/2005 03:56:16 AM · #14

Originally posted by nsbca7:

I second that

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

08/25/2005 07:59:33 AM · #15

Thanks everyone for your comments!

I am definately willing to rent equiptment for the event...but as I said, I am a guest (she is my cousin) and there will be a professional photographer. I won't want to start setting up slave flashes around the reception (especially because I don't know how to use all that yet!)

I really want to learn how to use flashes correctly (not the ones attached to the camera) and I hate to admit it, but I'm so new to digital photography that I don't even know what you're talking about when you said

"dial down to -.3 or -.6 EV (exposure compensation) or even a full stop if you feel necessary"

Sorry all, you're dealing with a complete amateur with a professional camera that wants to learn!

Thanks for all your advice, keep 'em coming and I'll post some shots next week (provided they come out alright!)

Message edited by author 2005-08-25 08:00:41.

Flash

Nikon D700

08/25/2005 08:43:08 AM · #16

The 50mm f/1.8 has tremendous potential. Become an expert with that lens and all your photography will improve. As long as you are not being paid and taking candids for "experience" and of course to share the good ones with the happy couple, then the 50 without the flash is very sound advice. Use the on camera flash for particular poses if you like and take along the 18-70 just in case you decide that some outdoor shots are available. If needed, you can always bump the ISO to 400 or 800 to use the 18-70 indoors without a speedlight.

All that said, the 50 is an indespensible lens for the money and provides great learning opportunities for those passionate about this addiction.

08/25/2005 08:59:09 AM · #17

Originally posted by jrose1:

allright with that being said, i think i would sudjest NO flash at all and no equiptment rental. You may as well learn to use the eqiuptment you have before adding more.

You should get some nice pictures if you put on your 50mm lens, set the program mode on your camera to AV, set the aperature to 1.8, and set the ISO to 400 or 800, depending on how much grain you are willing to live with. If you set your camera on ISO 400 and you focus somewhere (also called metering) and the camera shows the number 45 or higher (a shutter speed of 1/45 second or faster), you are good to go. if it is 15, 8, 4 or something like that change the ISO to 800 or you will be disapointed.

If you don't know what aperature priority (AV mode) is or how to set it, or how to change the ISO on your camera, that would be a good first thing to get out your instruction booklet and learn.

08/25/2005 08:59:43 AM · #18

all that was assuming indoor shooting

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

08/25/2005 08:37:02 PM · #19

I know what aperature priority is and how to set it, I also know how to change the ISO on my camera....I wouldn't have bought such a professional camera if I didn't know anything about what I was doing! Compared to a lot of you, I feel like I could get some great advice on how to improve and learn more about our passion. I know how to take good pictures, but I've never really had to go out of my way to 'learn how' if that makes any sense.

I may be able to catch the bride and groom outdoors before the ceremony begins, and for that I will try shooting with my 18-70mm. When we all move indoors, I'll shoot with my 50mm and hope for the best. If I don't get it right this time, I'll try something different next time!

Thank you Flash for your comments, they were very helpful and I appreciate everything from all of you!

Message edited by author 2005-08-25 20:37:29.

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

08/25/2005 09:04:25 PM · #20

During wedding you have to be flexible so zoom is a must. All pros have them. I never seen wedding photographer using prime. Maybe I was not looking hard enough. Stick to 1 lens with maximum zoom. (24-120 VR) You don't have time to change lenses. Get your ISO to 400 and use flash. If you shoot something that is far away turn flash off and bump ISO to get at least 1/30sec(unless you drunk in that case 1/500 or more). D70 has very good flash and iTTL so use it.

If you can, rent SB800 and a bracket. Used correctly you'll get absolutelly pro results.

Just my opinion.

Nick

petrakka

08/26/2005 02:11:30 AM · #21

referring to my previous post i was stating only to use the on camera flash as a fill in brighter light, i think people have discounted its potential. A weak fill flash can get rid of unsightly shadows in outdoor lighting conditions, and usually (if the flash is set at the power to match the f/stop of the ambient light exposure) you wouldn't really able to tell a flash was used unless you really knew to look for it. A fill flash can just make a nice outdoor photo better as long as its not too harsh, and you dont underexpose the rest of the photo aside from teh subject.

like everyone else said, indoors it sucks unless its off camera and you know how to use it. fast n open wide for indoor stuff.

08/26/2005 02:47:08 AM · #22

Originally posted by jrose1:

I hope you didn't feel belittled with my comments before. When you mentioned you weren't sure want it meant to stop down the flash a few stops, I decided to give my opinion from the basics. Sorry if it seemed too elementary (sp?)