Lens for wedding photos?

massownij

massownij

massownij

Associate
Joined
6 Jan 2011
Posts
9
Guys I'm new to photography and have a D5000 with kit lens (18-55).
What would be the best lens to get the best shots on the day?
I was thinking maybe a 35mm or 50mm? Or maybe a zoom would be better.
Any suggestions?

Many thanks
 
Depends on a few things

1 - what you are shooting at the time.
2 - where you are in relation to the subject
3 - how good you are as a photographer
4 - can you plan ahead, move into position before something happens
5 - how big the venue/room is
6 - your style of work

and so on.

p.s. whose wedding is this you are shooting with 1 body, 1 lens (soon to be 2)
 
Yeah 35 1.8 gets my vote. Great fun to use with a D5000 and once I'd bought mine it didn't come off the camera until I got my 5D. Slap it in aperture priority and shoot away at f/1.8
 
It's my Uncles wedding. I'm a guest,its a small venue. 35 mm f/1.8 sounds like the lens, is it worth splashing the cash for a f/1.4 to get that extra bokeh? ;)
 
massownij said:
It's my Uncles wedding. I'm a guest,its a small venue. 35 mm f/1.8 sounds like the lens, is it worth splashing the cash for a f/1.4 to get that extra bokeh? ;)
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It might be worth it if you attached it to a full frame cam, if not the 35 1.8 will serve you well but it's a DX lens so can't use it on FF cams.

You could pickup a D700 and a cheap 50mm 1.8g, and get the same effect as a 35mm 1.2 on your crop sensor.
Let me know if your interested in such a 50mm as now I have my 35 I'm going to put my 50 up for sale, so I will probably list it in MM soon.
 
two main lenses I use are
35mm f/1.8 and 16-50 f/2.8 (or equivalent)

Of which, the 16-50 I pretty much use most of the time, it's quick enough for lowish light work and the zoom gives you a little flexibility from a fixed position, and crucially huge improvement over the kit lens..


The 35mm is quite limiting in small venues, if you want full length shots in a small ceremony room or small church (as I did the last wedding at), the 35mm was too narrow by a long shot (never mind the poor tog's who where trying to use a 50mm!)..
 
For your uncles wedding I would recommend getting a battery grip and a flash to help with lighting. While your shopping for new equipment might as well get an entourage or assistance to help with set of the lighting and props
 
Shoot with something like a D700 and a fast prime and your not going to need flash until maybe the first dance (some people still don't use it), then just use the camera flash...
 
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Dunks said:
Could be a friends he's a guest at? No need to go all talkphotography.co.uk on him ;)
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Genuine lol from me! One of my pet hates on TP, generally speaking it's a good community but there are a few to many pro's with the stomp on everyones dreams attitude oh and don't mention the 'Good Shot' cliques ;)

OP you've been given some great advice with regards to the 35mm f1.8 which I think will cover most of your needs and get you some great shots with a little thought and effort. I'd also echo the advice to get a flash they can be a massive help as the evening progresses, most pro togs leave a short time after the first dance giving you the oppertunity to fill the void and capture some memories of the evenings decent into chaos. I've often given friends copies of pictures taken late in the evening after there weddings that they've been really greatful for and I'll be encouraging a couple of friends to do similar at mine.
 
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