A quick simple question

Overfocused · March 9, 2011

So I'm finally dipping my toes in the world of weddings. A friend has asked about my price for a 6 hour session (which I told him I had none and laughed) but I said I'd love to do it for him. I've had tons of experience shooting low light events, and enough in portraiture so taking photos at a fast pace isn't a problem.

What I don't know is whether I should make a 50mm F1.4 prime my main lens or a 70-200. I've used both equally during events so maybe if there's a specific reason that a wedding would require one over the other. That, I'd love to know.

That's all!

tenoverthenose · March 9, 2011

Lens selection is a very personal matter. What works for me probably won't work well for someone else. You know what works best for you to cover everything. I must say, a 70-200 is a bit long as a main lens (although to me a 50 is too).

Qarik · March 9, 2011

you may have restrictions in a church on where you can shoot from during ceremony

Overfocused · March 9, 2011

Yeah I suppose I'd have to see the place first. That'll be my deciding factor. Thanks

I have a Canon as my main and a Pentax as a backup... maybe I should bump the pentax so I can use both of the canon lenses I have... although Pentaxs' intro level stuff is so much nicer than canons intro level stuff...

Meh maybe I'll bite and grab a 50mm prime for the pentax since they're cheap enough and wear both bodies

urbanaries · March 9, 2011

Overfocused wrote: »

Yeah I suppose I'd have to see the place first. That'll be my deciding factor. Thanks

I have a Canon as my main and a Pentax as a backup... maybe I should bump the pentax so I can use both of the canon lenses I have... although Pentaxs' intro level stuff is so much nicer than canons intro level stuff...

Meh maybe I'll bite and grab a 50mm prime for the pentax since they're cheap enough and wear both bodies

You should also rent/buy something wider than 50mm....17-40 or 24-70. Group shots and room/venue shots are not usually possible with 50mm.

You will find either wearing some type of lens bag (like a shoot sac) or wearing two bodies is crucial. During ceremony especially, very little time to switch lenses. They happen fast...

Weisel · March 9, 2011

Asking whether to use a 50mm prime or a 70-200 is kind of like asking if you should use either a sport car or a hot air balloon to travel. They are so totally different.
Can you not use both? You def need a wider lens for a wedding. My favorite is the 24-70 2.8. Great all around lens. Then, there are some people who do a total photojournalistic approach, using only a 50mm 1.4. I have that lens, and use it for bride getting ready shots, detail shots, and some basic portraits. Of course, if you aren't permitted to move in close to the ceremony, you'll want the 70-200 on camera.

I'd rent a 24-70 for sure. ( I always rented one before I bought one) If I had just one lens to shoot a whole wedding, I'd go with that. That's just me.

Agnieszka · March 9, 2011

Weisel wrote: »

Asking whether to use a 50mm prime or a 70-200 is kind of like asking if you should use either a sport car or a hot air balloon to travel. They are so totally different.
Can you not use both? You def need a wider lens for a wedding. My favorite is the 24-70 2.8. Great all around lens. Then, there are some poeple who do a total photojournalistic approach, using only a 50mm 1.4. I have that lens, and use it for bride getting ready shots, detail shots, and some basic portraits. Of course, if you aren't permitted to move in close to the ceremony, you'll want the 70-200 on camera.

I'd rent a 24-70 for sure. ( I always rented one before I bought one) If I had just one lens to shoot a whole wedding, I'd go with that. That's just me.

+1

Overfocused · March 9, 2011

I have had a 24-70 for about 1 1/2 years and I've never used it in an event... at least I can't remember using it... oh wait I did use it once in a very cramped outdoor porch that was about 12x18 feet at a cafe. haha.

I have Lowpro belt cases for each lens so swapping isn't a big problem, but, there still are split second moments that 2 bodies would be a nice insurance policy against that. I could get a tight belt and wear all 3 and not drink much before I shoot,

.

I guess I have attachments to the 50mm lens since it allows for such beautiful and pristine IQ vs. any zoom lens... and I'm an IQ junkie. Lol.

Matthew Saville · March 9, 2011

Weisel wrote: »

Asking whether to use a 50mm prime or a 70-200 is kind of like asking if you should use either a sport car or a hot air balloon to travel. They are so totally different.
Can you not use both? You def need a wider lens for a wedding. My favorite is the 24-70 2.8. Great all around lens. Then, there are some people who do a total photojournalistic approach, using only a 50mm 1.4. I have that lens, and use it for bride getting ready shots, detail shots, and some basic portraits. Of course, if you aren't permitted to move in close to the ceremony, you'll want the 70-200 on camera.

I'd rent a 24-70 for sure. ( I always rented one before I bought one) If I had just one lens to shoot a whole wedding, I'd go with that. That's just me.

Now, if only I could photograph a wedding from a hot air balloon...

Others already said it best- TOTALLY subjective, and honestly you probably should have BOTH lenses on hand if its' a low-light event.

I would absolutely carry two bodies that I feel entirely comfortable shooting with simultaneously, not JUST an old backup that is a worst-case-scenario camera.

Usually, I roll with a prime on one body and a zoom on the other. If light permits f/2.8 instead of f/1.4, then yeah slap on a tele 2.8. Or in closer quarters, or whatever, a 24-70 on full-frame or 17-50 on crop, plus a 35, 50, or 85 prime on another (preferably full-frame) body.

Cover your bases!

=Matt=

Overfocused · March 10, 2011

I'm about to buy either a 5D or 7D. I think a 7D since the features and resolution kinda stomp everything except the DLA of the 5D

Overfocused · March 10, 2011

Oh yeah, and, the k-x kit is for sale! Lol.

A quick simple question

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