Shooting a Wedding - which would you use?

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM

07/16/2008 08:33:38 PM · #1

Calling all experience wedding photographers!
So I'm second-shooting a wedding this Friday and am torn on a lens choice.

I'll be using my Tamron 28-75 probably 80% of the time for photojournalistic type shots.

I'll also bring my Tokina 12-24 for some wider group shots/interiors

Now, here's the rub - I'm not a huge fan of my telephoto lens (Sigma 70-300).

I love my Canon 100mm macro!

If I bring my Canon 100mm for some tighter shots during the ceremony and/or ring/flower shots will I regret not having the more versatile telephoto zoom along?

I only have room for 3 lenses in the bag. Which would you bring?

Sugarpie

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

07/16/2008 08:37:36 PM · #2

get a bigger bag :)
I love the zoom lenses for candids, that way they dont know youre doing it, and its all natural :)

LERtastic

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

07/16/2008 08:45:37 PM · #3

I'd probably take the 100mm 2.8, and toss in your 50 1.8 (they fit almost anywhere!)

Mick

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

07/16/2008 08:55:59 PM · #4

You can always use 'sneaker zoom' with the 100mm 2.8 lens. :)

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/16/2008 09:03:10 PM · #5

Originally posted by LERtastic:

I'd probably take the 100mm 2.8, and toss in your 50 1.8 (they fit almost anywhere!)

Yup, I will toss my 50mm in - there's just not room for 2 telephotos. I guess the 100mm will be my best bet.

If I end up shooting more weddings, I'll eventually get one of the 70-200L lenses, but can't justify it at the moment.

Foot zoom it is!

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

07/16/2008 09:18:38 PM · #6

I just shot another wedding last weekend (as a guest). The Tamron will work great with a flash, but the lack of a USM motor can mean frustratingly slow autofocus if you shoot available light. Still, that might be your best bet because of the zoom range and aperture. I wouldn't bother with the 100mm- I used my 85mm a lot for low light, but I would have preferred a wider field of view and you don't really need a macro lens to fill the frame with hands or a cake. If you plan on shooting from the back of the church, that 100mm might be useful. Otherwise, I'd stick with your Tamron, Tokina and the 50mm.

07/16/2008 09:43:58 PM · #7

Originally posted by scalvert:

Points well taken - I'll probably take the 100mm along just in case, but may not end up using it from what you said. Luckily, its an outside wedding at 5:30pm, so I won't have to worry too much about the Tamron hunting in available light. I'll use flash inside for the reception, and may use the 50mm for artsy shallow DOF and low light stuff...

Prof_Fate

07/16/2008 10:04:49 PM · #8

It depends on what the main shooter wants you to do - often it's candids while he shoots the main shots - so a fast tele (70-200 2.8, 200 1.8/2.0) is what would be best - you need to stay back out of the way. You will probably shoot details so you're coverd for that with most any lens.
If you're sent to pose the guys before the ceremony (while the main photog is with the bride) then the 28-70 is the lens to use.