Starter Lenses for New Wedding Photographer ( Canon)

veebee

Hi everyone. I've been lurking for a while, and now I need help.
I am booked for my first wedding next May. My son and I are working together. He is doing the videography, I will be doing the still shots. I have been using a Rebel xti for fun. We are getting ready to buy the Canon EOS5D with a 35-100 f.25 lens. Our second choice will be between the 85mm or the 50mm. I have been reading lots of books and am a little overwhelmed by the technical information. I would appreciate any input on your choice of lens, and the reason you prefer it. I am also hoping for a good telephoto, if the budget allows. Thanks for your help.

scottV

I've shot one wedding and did it with the 24-70 2.8L & 100 2.8 macro. It was a relatively small and casual affair but I was really pleased with that 24-70 lens, don't know if you would need more reach for a bigger more traditional ceremony.

Elaine

veebee wrote:

Hi everyone. I've been lurking for a while, and now I need help.
I am booked for my first wedding next May. My son and I are working together. He is doing the videography, I will be doing the still shots. I have been using a Rebel xti for fun. We are getting ready to buy the Canon EOS5D with a 35-100 f.25 lens. Our second choice will be between the 85mm or the 50mm. I have been reading lots of books and am a little overwhelmed by the technical information. I would appreciate any input on your choice of lens, and the reason you prefer it. I am also hoping for a good telephoto, if the budget allows. Thanks for your help.

Welcome to DGrin!

Congrats on getting into the wedding photography business! It sounds like you're really planning ahead! There are a number of very talented wedding photogs around here who I'm sure can give you lots of great info, but I thought I'd start by throwing out a couple lenses that seem to be quite popular (at least on a non full-frame camera...not sure about the 5D):

Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS
Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS (or the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8)

The 85 f/1.8 and 50 f/1.4 are also highly regarded, as far as I can tell.

If you've been lurking, you've probably seen all the info below, but just in case...

Shay Stephens (resident expert) just finished a series of Wedding Photographer Boot Camps...
http://shaystephens.smugmug.com/gallery/2765723
...maybe he'll be doing more next year???

Here are some links of people sharing their experiences:

Denver:
http://www.digitalgrin.com/showthread.php?t=70048
http://www.digitalgrin.com/showthread.php?t=70050
http://www.digitalgrin.com/showthread.php?t=70287

San Diego:
http://www.digitalgrin.com/showthread.php?t=71728
http://www.digitalgrin.com/showthread.php?t=71822
http://www.digitalgrin.com/showthread.php?t=71932