Guest at a wedding - Choice of lenses?

Soldato
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I'm attending a wedding on Easter Sunday and have the chance to borrow a few lenses from a friend. I really only want a couple to take with me, so from the following list what would you take?

All going on a 40D

'Nifty 50'
Tamron 17-50 f2.8
Canon 24-105 f4 L IS
Canon 135L f2
Canon 70-200 f4

I won't be shooting in the church but have been asked to get some shots of the bride getting ready while the ProTog covers the Groom. Most of the photography will be leaving the church and at the reception.

Thanks for any tips/advice
 
I won't be shooting in the church but have been asked to get some shots of the bride getting ready while the ProTog covers the Groom.

bizarre i would've thought this should be the other way around tbh :?

something with reach would be nice to pick up some decent candids, but wide enough to get everything in for more traditional shots.

i'd (guess) the 24-105 would be a good compromise.
 
i agree, the 24-105 will give you most options and versatility

although it might not be quite wide enough depending on how big/small the rooms are
 
I personally would take the 17-50 and 135.

17-50 on a crop body is a tiny bit long for my liking but it will be great overall, getting ready you'll need the wide end and being 2.8 means you maximise your exposure options over the other choices.

The 135 being a prime means you can get some lovely sharp natural portraits from a fair enough distance that you shouldn't be rumbled too often. Plus, being f2 will give you good separation of your subject from the background even at a distance.

The 70-200 f4 lens would be great outdoors if the weather is good, but indoors you'll be juggling settings trying to get good exposures. I say stick with the 135, it'll make your life easier and produce better results but you may have to shuffle your feet about a bit more. :)
 
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On a 40D, I'd probably go for the 17-50, + either the 135 or 70-200. The 135 benefits from further speed, which could be extremely useful for indoor shots.
 
bizarre i would've thought this should be the other way around tbh :?

something with reach would be nice to pick up some decent candids, but wide enough to get everything in for more traditional shots.

i'd (guess) the 24-105 would be a good compromise.

I'll be covering the bride as she's not comfortable having a stranger around when she's getting ready. I've know her for many years so she doesn't mind me being there.


i agree, the 24-105 will give you most options and versatility

although it might not be quite wide enough depending on how big/small the rooms are

The reception venue is a decent size but I'm not sure what the lighting will be like. I'm taking my EX430 MkII with me but don't want to use it too luch as I'm still unsure about tricky lighting.


I personally would take the 17-50 and 135.

17-50 on a crop body is a tiny bit long for my liking but it will be great overall, getting ready you'll need the wide end and being 2.8 means you maximise your exposure options over the other choices.

The 135 being a prime means you can get some lovely sharp natural portraits from a fair enough distance that you shouldn't be rumbled too often. Plus, being f2 will give you good separation of your subject from the background even at a distance.

The 70-200 f4 lens would be great outdoors if the weather is good, but indoors you'll be juggling settings trying to get good exposures. I say stick with the 135, it'll make your life easier and produce better results but you may have to shuffle your feet about a bit more. :)

Having not used the 135 yet (but really wanting too) I'm not sure I'd be comfortable jumping in using it with the fixed length. I'll be collecting it this week so I can have a practice.

I love my 70-200 but it really does struggle in bad light.
 
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I would take the nifty and the 24-105l just because both of them are ridiculously sharp.
The 1.8 will be of benefit in making the low light in the house look awesome, and the range on the 24-105 is perfect, having said that it may not be wide enough. (but you wont be doing groups will you so do you need it?)
Can I have 3?
 
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I would take the 17-50mm f2.8 and the 135mm f2

17-50mm - Leaving the church/Reception
135mm - Reception for candids

If you could also throw in the 50mm 1.8, i know you only want to carry a couple but its so light I doubt you would notice the extra with the other 2 lenses!
 
I would take the 17-50mm f2.8 and the 135mm f2

17-50mm - Leaving the church/Reception
135mm - Reception for candids

If you could also throw in the 50mm 1.8, i know you only want to carry a couple but its so light I doubt you would notice the extra with the other 2 lenses!

+1 and agree about 50mm
 
If the 17-50 was a canon lens, it would probably be on the list, but given the choice, take the two Ls and the add in the nifty 50 for closer portraits with really shallow DoF.

The only thing you'll be lacking is something wide, but if you're looking at limiting lenses, losing the 17-50 in favour of the 24-105 is a good choice
 
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