Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 vs SP AF28-75mm F/2.8

dlscott56

I was just curious which of these you think would be the better range for photographing a wedding? Or, is there something in a similar price range ($400 - $450) that would be better?


Also, if anyone has any experience with either of these lenses I'd love to here how you like them.

Thanks in advance for the help.

ziggy53

dlscott56 wrote:

I was just curious which of these you think would be the better range for photographing a wedding? Or, is there something in a similar price range ($400 - $450) that would be better?


Also, if anyone has any experience with either of these lenses I'd love to here how you like them.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Assuming a crop 1.6x camera, I like the shorter range much more because sometimes you only have limited space between the front pews and the area where you can place the individuals. If you have a large group shot, you will probably appreciate the shorter lens. It's also more beneficial when there is a crowd and you need to position yourself to the front of the crowd to get a clear shot. It's also handy for the "establish" shots, which are usually fairly wide.

Unless you have a need for a longer lens, like a balcony shot, the shorter length is what I go to. (A longer lens than 75mm might (probably) be required for a balcony shot.)

At the reception, a longer range is kind of handy, if there are several things happening at once that you want to cover. I've used a 70-200mm at times to get nice 1 and 2 shots without being obtrusive.

You might be able to make do with either, but I would rather have both, and then some.

If you can get into the venues early and scope out the site that may dictate where the best shooting positions are and that will help direct your lens choices.

pathfinder

The Tamron 28-75 on an APS sensor camera is the equivalent of a 45mm - 120mm lens on a full frame 35mm camera.

This was the first lens I bought for my 10D several years ago and I loved it. Still do.

Not really wide, but a nice reach for head and shoulders shots.

urbanaries

The fast wide angle zoom is the most important lens on the day of a wedding. On a crop camera there is a huge difference between 28mm and 17mm. The difference between a 40 person group shot and an 8 person group shot. OTOH, the difference between 50mm and 80mm... is a couple steps forward.

pathfinder

I guess if I have a choice, I would rather shoot 3 or 4 people than 30 or 40:D

But I am sure you are correct that for groups of that size the 17mm lens is a better choice.

urbanaries

pathfinder wrote:

I guess if I have a choice, I would rather shoot 3 or 4 people 30 or 40

No question...I certainly agree with you and one shouldn't shoot wide angle alone. I shoot with the 17-50 on one camera and the 70-200 2.8 or 85mm 1.8 mounted on the other, and it works out well. the "gap" in current fast zoom ranges requires a sacrifice of the 50-70mm or the wide end...

At my last wedding, I was caught off guard by a "family reunion" taking place in the corner of the reception. This was at 20mm. It was almost pitch black in there.

urbanaries

now if only they'd come out with a 17-70 2.8....(or, a 50-200 2.8) then us wedding photogs with crop cameras wouldn't have this dilemma!

dlscott56

Hey everyone, thanks for the quick responses! I'm thinking I like the advantages of the 17-50mm F/2.8.

I'll let you know how it works out for me.

Thanks again for your help.

Desmond

I bought the Tamron 17-50 2.8 a month ago and it has become my favourite lens for the few weddings I have done with it . The 2.8 is really nice for the indoor shots . I also have the 28-75 2.8 but found myself backing into walls too often because it wasn't wide enough .
My next step is a 70-200 2.8 and then I think I will give my bank account a rest for a while , until the lenses start paying for themselves a bit more

Scott_Quier

urbanaries wrote:

now if only they'd come out with a 17-70 2.8....(or, a 50-200 2.8) then us wedding photogs with crop cameras wouldn't have this dilemma!

With IS!!