Which Lens best / used most for weddings?

robigouk · August 6, 2009

Hi

I use a 24-70mm 2.8 and I also have a 50mm 1.8 and mix both up when shooting.

Just after some idea what people have on them on the day and what they end up using most!?

cheers

Rob

www.robigophotography.com

JAMoore · August 6, 2009

I almost exclusively use the 50 f/1.8. When I need a wide shot I just ask my wife to step in with her 18-200 VR.

Art Scott · August 6, 2009

for over 20 yrs and 1k++ weddings I had only one a 70-210, I did a lot of foot zooming to get really wide shots but the lens and I had an understanding and it never let me down.....it was also my only lens for shooting concerts....now Ihave a 24-70 f2.8 as well in my KM7D's and the Nikon's so far have an 18-200 and 50-500 mounted....saving for another set of sigma 70-200 / 17-70......I just find that the 24-70 is really still too long at 24 on a crop body.................

jeffreaux2 · August 6, 2009

The answer to your question will vary depending on a couple things...

-Full frame sensor or crop sensor camera?

-Shooting style?

FedererPhoto · August 6, 2009

For me... on FX, in order of most use...

24-70 f/2.8 40%
followed by
70-200 f/2.8 20% and 85 f/1.4 20% which both get roughly equal use depending on the day, of course.
followed by
14-24 f/2.8 10% and 50 f/1.4 10%

The remainder of my lenses probably account for less than 1% of my wedding frames captured.

My second shooters (who get a D300 and a D700), on the other hand probably go in this realm:

18-200 VR on DX 55%
followed by
50 f/1.4 25%
followed by
70-200 f/2.8 or 100-300 f/4 depending on venue - 15%
followed by
12-24 f/4 - 5%

Shima · August 6, 2009

I shoot FF and primes mostly.

35L is the lens I use the most. After that it's usually the 135L, the 100 Macro for ring shots, and the 70-200 (the only zoom I own) for ceremony stuff. I did just trade Jeff for his 85 1.8... so I'm hoping to put that to more use now in my upcoming weddings as I previously had the 50 1.4 which was just too close to my 35 and hadn't been touched in a while!

Definitely for me 35L is my winner. I love that lens.

picturegirl · August 6, 2009

I shoot with a 30d and a 40d, I have a 17-55 2.8is and 70-200 2.8is I would say on average I use them about 50/50. It really depends on the setting/location, and what effects I am looking to achieve. The 70-200 is great for just about everything, I love to use it for my candids and bride/groom formal shots. The 17-55 is obviously good when I don't have a lot of space.

Blurmore · August 6, 2009

ones that fit on the camera.

jeffreaux2 · August 6, 2009

Blurmore wrote:

ones that fit on the camera.

Some folks use all primes...or try to.....

My observations are that:

On a FF camera, the 16-35, 24-70, and 24-105 seem to be popular. For a crop sensor, 17-55 seems to be the lens of choice.

...and everybody likes the 70-200s for longer reach.

I think it's a shame that there isnt a normal zoom solution with IS for full framers!!! C'mon Canon!!!

Mishka · August 6, 2009

Just recently switched all my cameras to FF--had one of each before that. Also actually sold my 24-70--I found it was making me lazy.

So, I primarily use a 16-35, a 70-200IS, and I just ordered (there goes my wallet) the 851.2. I also use a 100 macro for detail shots, and had been using my 50 1.4 on my crop sensor camera. That will change once I receive the 85...

mmmatt · August 9, 2009

For general use I like my 24-70 f2.8L, for portrait and candid stuff I use that and my 70-200 f4L and sometimes the 135 f2L or 85 f1.8. For low-light (receptions and service) I prefer to shoot primes and use my 135 f2L and 85 1.8 almost exclusively. I have a sigma 15mm fish that I use for fun and a 50 1.8 that I almost never use. My main body is a 5d and I also use a crop body 40d as backup, but recently I have been using it more just to save clicks on my precious 5d. I like the 40d outdoors mostly where I have lots of space as the 24 isn't very wide on the crop. That being said the 15 isn't reall fishey on the crop body so it works out OK.

Matt

David Manning · August 11, 2009

I shoot primarily with a 5D, and here are my observations (in order of use).

24-70 (most used, highly trusted)
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 (buttery smooth, awesome shots, skeptical about focus)
70-200 2.8 IS (most trusted, great shots, I can hand hold at 1/25s, not used a lot, will never part with it)
85 1.8 (makes me happy every time I use it)
50 1.8 (what a bargain)

Rented or borrowed from time to time

100 macro (awesome for it's intended use)
135L (stunning)
35L (haven't seen the greatness everyone speaks of, I have to try agian)
50L (I prefer my Sigma!!, seriously)
85L (stunning, but very expensive)
15 fish (great lens, limited use, low priority due to cost)

Coveted (wanting to buy or try for wedding)

200 f/2.0L
300 f/2.8L

tenoverthenose · August 12, 2009

I change lens and focal lengths depending on the mood that I'm in and what I want to convey. For the past year my two lens "goto setup" has been the 16-35 and 70-200. I really don't miss too much in the middle.

JohnBiggs · August 12, 2009

I use the Tamron 28-75 2.8 for 90%.

The 85 1.2 is in the works and it may become a fave.

Scott_Quier · August 13, 2009

I currently use crop cameras and the 17-55 (90%), the 70-200 f/2.8L IS (9%), and the EF 100 f/2.8 (1%).

Seriously considering the move the 5DII. Gotta check the funding levels.

Shima · August 13, 2009

Scott_Quier wrote:

I currently use crop cameras and the 17-55 (90%), the 70-200 f/2.8L IS (9%), and the EF 100 f/2.8 (1%).

Seriously considering the move the 5DII. Gotta check the funding levels.

You won't regret it if you do! Well, you'll regret that you can't use the 17-55 anymore on it, but other than that, it's heaven

Scott_Quier · August 13, 2009

Shima wrote:

You won't regret it if you do! Well, you'll regret that you can't use the 17-55 anymore on it, but other than that, it's heaven

The other regret will be that big hole that suddenly appears in the bank account

rofl And, I'll probably be itching to get a 24-70 f/2.8L to replace the 17-55. Ouch!@!

Shima · August 13, 2009

Scott_Quier wrote:

The other regret will be that big hole that suddenly appears in the bank account rofl And, I'll probably be itching to get a 24-70 f/2.8L to replace the 17-55. Ouch!@!

I replaced my 17-55 with a 35L. the 24-70 was the close runner up when I considered what to replace it with.

I just took the double ouch last week when I finally got a second 5D II... my accounts kinda empty at the moment, lol (especially since I have grips on both of them adding some more $$ to the expense)

marikris · August 13, 2009

Shima wrote:

I just took the double ouch last week when I finally got a second 5D II

Oh my goodness lol! And here I am looking sadly at my wallet after I bought Janet Criswell's 135L. I had bought the 24-70 and 5d2 as a graduation present for myself. Sold my xti and its 2 lenses for that 135L -_-

A second 5d2. Gosh!

Aldazar · August 13, 2009

I know, I wish I had $$$ like that!

In any case, congrats on your new acquisitions!

marikris wrote:

Oh my goodness lol! And here I am looking sadly at my wallet after I bought Janet Criswell's 135L. I had bought the 24-70 and 5d2 as a graduation present for myself. Sold my xti and its 2 lenses for that 135L -_-

A second 5d2. Gosh!

ChatKat · August 14, 2009

jeffreaux2 wrote:

I think it's a shame that there isnt a normal zoom solution with IS for full framers!!! C'mon Canon!!!

Jeff - the 24-105 4.0L is an IS lens. Very equal to the 24-70 2.8 on a full frame. I wish for at 24 105 2.8 is though

Scott_Quier · August 14, 2009

ChatKat wrote:

Jeff - the 24-105 4.0L is an IS lens. Very equal to the 24-70 2.8 on a full frame. I wish for at 24 105 2.8 is though

Due to the physics involved, I think it's more likely we'll see a 24-70 f/2.8L IS before we'll see the 24-105 f/2.8. I'm thinking the objective element (that's the front-most hunk of glass) would have to be quite a bit bigger than the current 77mm to get that done.

jeffreaux2 · August 14, 2009

ChatKat wrote:

Jeff - the 24-105 4.0L is an IS lens. Very equal to the 24-70 2.8 on a full frame. I wish for at 24 105 2.8 is though

True...and I was aware of that particular lense and that it is widely used. I was thinking of F2.8 capable IS....which would be nice.

Scott_Quier · August 15, 2009

Shima wrote:

You won't regret it if you do! Well, you'll regret that you can't use the 17-55 anymore on it, but other than that, it's heaven

Scott_Quier wrote:

I currently use crop cameras and the 17-55 (90%), the 70-200 f/2.8L IS (9%), and the EF 100 f/2.8 (1%).

Seriously considering the move the 5DII. Gotta check the funding levels.

OK ... I done went and did it. I have one on order (from 17th Street - they've always done me good when I've used them) and should ship on Monday. I'll be ordering a couple of extra batteries and a BG later this evening when B&H opens up again. Now that ugly game of waiting begins.

Shima · August 15, 2009

Scott_Quier wrote:

OK ... I done went and did it. I have one on order (from 17th Street - they've always done me good when I've used them) and should ship on Monday. I'll be ordering a couple of extra batteries and a BG later this evening when B&H opens up again. Now that ugly game of waiting begins.

You'll only need one extra battery and the battery grip. I've shot several very long wedding days, and I think the lowest I got the batteries down to in the grip was maybe 40% or 50%. The LP-E6 batteries are awesome. On average I usually have 60% left by the end of the day (the BG does use the batteries equally, so this is per battery I have that percentage left)

Waiting is the hardest part!

PS - buy the battery grip from Amazon, it's like 30 bucks cheaper than B&H. That's what I did when I got my 2nd 5D Mark II...ordered the body from B&H, ordered the grip from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-BG-E6-Battery-Grip-Digital/dp/B001KBZ3QO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1250345073&sr=8-1

Scott_Quier · August 15, 2009

Shima wrote:

You'll only need one extra battery and the battery grip. I've shot several very long wedding days, and I think the lowest I got the batteries down to in the grip was maybe 40% or 50%. The LP-E6 batteries are awesome. On average I usually have 60% left by the end of the day (the BG does use the batteries equally, so this is per battery I have that percentage left)

Waiting is the hardest part!

PS - buy the battery grip from Amazon, it's like 30 bucks cheaper than B&H. That's what I did when I got my 2nd 5D Mark II...ordered the body from B&H, ordered the grip from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-BG-E6-Battery-Grip-Digital/dp/B001KBZ3QO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1250345073&sr=8-1

Nice one - good savings on the BG.

Also, there's a good savings on batteries. As for getting just one or ordering two --- I'm trusting, but not when I HAVE to get the job done. I've never run through a set of batteries on my 30D or my 50D, but I carry plenty of spares. The same applies to this new camera. Besides, the batteries have electronics in them -- another opportunity for failure. Belt and suspenders! Always.

MA-FOTO · August 16, 2009

Scott .... very jealous. but very cool - moving to FF.

Ya-baby!!!!

To the OP:
Lens set up depends on your style and who you learn from.

In this forum - at least to those that answered - zoom are preferred over primes.
In other forums - primes are preferred.

me; while i have and love my 24-70mm L , i am planning to add a 35L and
135L.

I am a geek and love toys ... but learning from masters and what they shoot w/ now ... most use primes and only 2-3 lens.
And yet they are very creative.

In the end - fast lens are the only consistent.
After this it is you and your style you want to convey to your clients that dictate your decision.

Later,
Mark

Which Lens best / used most for weddings?

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