Best Lens for Wedding Photos

I have Canon EOS 40D with kit lens (28-135). I have a friend who can't afford a wedding photographer, and I've been asked to shoot their special day.

Although I have had good results with my kit lens (I dabble in portrait work), I'm sure there are other lens much better for this venue. Any suggestions would be welcome.

I plan to rent as I can't afford to buy right now...have done this before successfully with a nature shoot!

I will also have a 2nd photographer who will be helping, same camera. Would be great to have a couple or more lens if the suggestions go that way!

Thanks!

mite me a smart to stick with the lens u have rather then experiment wiht a rental at your friends wedding

Since you are looking to use two lenses on two different cameras, the two I would suggest would be a 24-70mm f/2.8L and 70-200mm f/2.8L IS. These are great all around portrait lenses, and with the telezoom, you will have the reach to get those intimate moments, and the longer distance shots. Both of these lenses are relatively fast so shooting with ambient light should be plenty.

Both of these lenses are long, so your pop up flash will not be a good idea. I would suggest an off camera speedlight. At least mount it on the hotshoe to get it higher than the pop up flash can go. Ideally, you would want it up on a bracket.

Since you dabble in portraiture, I would recommend getting familiar with these lenses and try to find some at good prices to add to your kit. Another option for later on would be a 50mm f/1.2L which is an incredibly fast lens, but is a prime so I wouldn't go for this lens for your current assignment, unless the rental rates are good.

Thanks for the input. I stopped on-camera flash almost immediately after buying my Canon. Have a 430EX II speedlite that I use off-camera with a bracket. I have also used the speedlite on-camera with a Gary Fong diffuser which helps tremendously with harsh shadows. (lightsphere one)

I'm thinking of renting a 580EX speedlite for the wedding but haven't decided yet. The 430 has served me well, but I've heard that the 580 has more power for wedding style photography.

I plan to rent the lens a week ahead to get accustomed to it...same as I did for my nature rental (and I practiced on my nephews marching band routine--the 200mm lens was PERFECT for getting that long shot from the stadium).

Wouldn't I LOVE to be able to afford an L lens...trying to convince hubby it would be worth it in the long run!!

A few question.

Is the wedding inside or outside?

What's does the lighting look like? Candlelight or Sun etc...

What time of day is the wedding? Am, Noon, Pm, Night, all day.

What kind of styles of photographs do they want?

What type of wedding is this? For example: Most catholic churches will not let you use flashes.

Where can the photographer go? some weddings don't let you move much.

How many people are in wedding party?

Any Dances?

Well, I'm actually shooting "4" weddings by years' end, all in a variety of settings. The first 2 are in churches; one is a gym style with high white ceiling, the other with wood style dark ceiling .

1st wedding is set for noon; 2nd is for mid-afternoon.

1st couple with 6 attendants wants traditional poses and candids, and the usual line-up of 1st kiss, ring on hand, etc. 2nd couple who has 9 attendants wants more informal style photos (they are a bit free-spirited ), but I plan to give them some traditional poses as well because they tend to change their minds so much.

My husband (who is a pastor) will be performing the weddings (good for me as he is flexible and understanding on getting good shots). I'll have freedom of movement moreso than other settings because of this, and flash won't be a problem.

Lighting will be a mix of candlelight and dimmed stage lights (flood type) for both settings.

The reception will be held in a brighter lighted area in both cases, and yes, there will be the dance.

I have a 3rd wedding end of June, but it's going to be VERY INFORMAL on the beach...bride is older and wants to wear capri's and shorts for the groom. I've done beach photography before, so I'm not so worried about that one!

I think I've answered all the ?'s...I've read many of your posts, so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

These young couples have no money to hire a "pro"--and I've already shot some engagement photos of one of the couples that turned out very well. This is my gift to them, plus it will give me some great experience as I hope to move into wedding photography in the next year or so. They get free photos; I get experience...a great trade-off for both of us!

Thought I'd put in a photo of the engagement shoot I did for one of the couples. Not sure I'm understanding how to upload the photo, however! I used my canon 50mm f/1.8 II lens for this shot. It was cheap, but I've had good results from it. Will probably use this lens as well for these weddings.

(If this photo doesn't load, maybe someone can clue me in as to how to upload? I don't see an upload button anywhere, just an {img} button beside "select image file".)

Here it is again; hope it's the right size.

Keep your canon 50mm f/1.8 II lens on one camera, it's a beautiful lens and will work good with the low light and candle light situations you talk about. Then have either the 24-70mm, 24-105mm or 70-200mm on another. You can go back and forth easy. Perhaps you can rent another lens and/or body if you don't have them?

NCPhotoTrekker wrote:

Since you are looking to use two lenses on two different cameras, the two I would suggest would be a 24-70mm f/2.8L and 70-200mm f/2.8L IS. These are great all around portrait lenses, and with the telezoom, you will have the reach to get those intimate moments, and the longer distance shots. Both of these lenses are relatively fast so shooting with ambient light should be plenty.

Both of these lenses are long, so your pop up flash will not be a good idea. I would suggest an off camera speedlight. At least mount it on the hotshoe to get it higher than the pop up flash can go. Ideally, you would want it up on a bracket.

Since you dabble in portraiture, I would recommend getting familiar with these lenses and try to find some at good prices to add to your kit. Another option for later on would be a 50mm f/1.2L which is an incredibly fast lens, but is a prime so I wouldn't go for this lens for your current assignment, unless the rental rates are good.

This info is spot on!!! renting a lens from places like http://www.borrowlenses.com/
is a great idea. I know people the do this and it works out well for them. One gal I know actually rents her second camera from them for weddings and always rents her "fast" lens from them.

Thanks for the info! I have visited the borrowlenses.com site, but have not used them. The last time I rented I used LensRentals.com and their service was super. They sent the lens out to me a couple days earlier than expected because they had it in, and didn't charge me extra. Packing was excellent and sending the lens back was a breeze.

I've already checked into the lenses everyone is recommending and it looks like I can get them between $55--65.00 each for a week. Not bad, I think! Gives me practice time and maybe some personal use aside from the wedding!

hi there Gwen
i use the canon 50mm f1.8 almost all the time during wedding shorts, its a cheap lens and worth every penny. the f1.4 wld b nice but still on the expensive side but u will get great shorts with the f1.8.

having a good lens is one thing making most of it is another. the important thing here is getting the right shorts at the right time. in most cases i alway use photoshop to touch up those great shorts. i find that taking the perfect frame is what makes a perfect picture.
have fun.

I second the 24-105 thing. F/2.8 all the way. And how can someone say the 50mm f/1.4 is expensive? It isn't even $350 retail! It is an excellent lens for a GREAT price.

I also have one other question for you. In the photo you posted, what did you use for lighting?

Sudhir,
Please keep your posts relative to the topic. Your remark was uncalled for.

Sudhir wrote:

smart alec!

TROLL!!!!

to H2OJunkie>

Hi...I don't visit here often so I didn't realize you'd posted a question!

For lighting on this posted photo, I used 2 flashes with umbrella, one to camera right and the other to camera left. On-board flash (bounced) was the master. I also used another strobe positioned low and out of sight behind the couple to add separation from the background. I'm using Canon 580exII and 430exII flashes, and a cheap 40w strobe I picked up from ebay.

Hope this helps!

Oh, and I forgot, that I did post editing in Photoshop to give the photo a sepia tone....