Wedding Photos

I have a Nikon d40x. I just started in Photography and i was wondering if i

should purchase the AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED for a

wedding that i am doing. I feel that the extra zoom would really benifit me.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be helpful. I really dont want to spend more

than 700$ What would be the best lens for parties, weddings and portraits? I

curently have the 18-55mm lens.

Thank you.

If the wedding is going to take place indoor, the 18-200 is definitely too slow for it (f/3.5-5.6G).

 

I recently did some shooting at a indoor event in a college's gym (which probably has better lighting than most churches); I had my D300 and D40x w/ the 18-70 3.5-4.5 and the 50 1.8. I found the 18-70 to be barely useable, while the 50 1.8 performed wonderfully well (even though I couldn't compose my shots easily, because I was using a prime lens while not able to move around).

 

The 17-55 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 vr are the by-the-book lenses for weddings. Unfortunately these lenses are rather expensive.

Holly, you should really ask this in the wedding forum on this site. Weddings can be a bit more complicated than they seem at first.

 

Peter

You're going to need a lot better lenses than what you think. AND lights. Unless all you want are amatuer snapshots anyway.

 

 

Kent in SD

I had an 18-200 3.5-6.3 lens and found it to be very problematic in lower light. I would not recommend it. You might consider the Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 HSM, which will be good for somewhat more distance and portrait shots, about $650.

If you're seriously thinking about getting into wedding photography, the best thing you can do with $700 is invest part of it into a seminar with an experienced wedding photographer.

 

As for equipment, you need a good flash unit and backup camera more than you need another lens.

 

And lots of practice.

 

One way to get hands on practice is to donate your work to couples who cannot afford a pro. Be sure to explain that you are not an experienced wedding photographer and cannot guarantee your work. But at least they'll have some photos and you'll get some practice. Give them a CD/DVD with the photos that they can have printed when they can afford it. And be sure to explain that you reserve the rights to use those photos for your portfolio.

 

I've done weddings for friends and family, always as gifts. Everything turned out well, everyone was happy. But I am not a wedding pro and despite having 30+ years behind the lens I would take my own advice if I planned to turn pro: either apprentice myself to an established wedding pro, or take a seminar or both.

 

It's a business and paying customers have extremely high expectations for what they hope will be a once in a lifetime event. Don't step into this lightly thinking that a new lens will substitute for training and experience.

Lex has given some excellent advice.

 

Holly - you really need a backup camera.

 

A good standard lens - I recommend the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8, a prime Nikon like the 70-200mm f2.8 and a good flash gun. (the latest version of the Tamron will now autofocus on the D40X - but make sure you get the correct version for your camera)

 

A tripod. Spare batteries. Lots memory cards.

 

And yes - lots of practice.

 

Wedding photography is expensive on the hardware front. Don't forget that you can't tell the couple to come back next week.

Assuming you are doing this on a non-paid basis, all you really need is an SB-800 flash (or SB-600 if money is tight) and a good book or books on flash photography. You are typically shooting at the wider focal lengths when doing event photography.

 

Focusing will not be much of an issue as the flash emits an infrared focusing grid in low light conditions (AF-S focus mode only). The 18-55 produces sharp, colorful images that rival those of lenses costing much, much more. It also has a wider depth-of-field so you have a better likelihood of your pictures being in proper focus.

 

If you are doing this on a professional basis (being paid), you will quickly want to upgrade your gear when the funds become available. Your camera and lens will become good backup gear for you.

The 18-200mm VR is NOT a good lens for weddings. While some will argue that it can be done, I doubt any experienced wedding photographer would choose to use it over other options.

 

Most weddings are indoors, a slow lens even with VR won't cut it without a flash, because VR won't keep people from moving. Even with a fast lens you still need extra light quite often. Also, many weddings don't allow flash during the ceremony. So you'll need a fast lens AND a good speedlight.

 

 

If you don't want to spend more than $700, and since you have a D40x, I would suggest:

 

Nikon SB-800 Speedlight = $310

 

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 = $375

 

Piggyback with another Photographer = Priceless

 

 

Use your kit lens with the Flash for formals. Find a 10-14ft high white ceiling and bounce the flash (with a white card on the flash directing a bit of light forward) for ideal light with one on-camera flash.

Use the 30mm when you can't use flash or want to to keep the ambiance.

In the few weddings I have done I have found that lens I used the most was Tokina AT-X f2.8PRO 28-80mm Much cheaper than Nikons and about as sharp. Can be found used at good price point.

Tamron 28-75 2.8 for about $300 and SB-600 for about $200 and 3-4 2 gb memory cards. That will get u started.

If you are doing weddings as a primary, for hire photographer, you need a complete back-up of any equipment that might break or malfunction. That means two cameras, two lenses and two flash units. Anything that can break will and usually at the worst possible time. Cameras get set down and knocked over, lenses can be dropped during a hurried lens change. If you only have one of something and that unit goes south you are dead in the water and your wedding photography for that day is over. I can assure you that your paying customer will not be a happy camper either.

 

As for as usability of the 18-200 lens, unless you hope to do all available light candids I think it would be a very effective lens for weddings. You will also want a fairly quick recycling flash with a decent guide number and a bracket that swivels to keep the head abofe the lens during both horizonal and vertical shots. For available light shots during the ceremony you can bump the iso up to 400 or so and mount the camera on a tripod. For group or walking in shots you will be using flash.

 

Good luck!

 

HLA

Thanks for all the great tips. This is a free wedding for my friend at work, and i just want to do the best job i can. It is outside in texas so if anything im worried about to much light. I do not plan on entering the Wedding business just portraits for me!

Holly,

 

What you have will work just fine. I would get, if you do not have, a flash, SB-600 is what

I use. Remember, most wedding couples will want prints in the 4x6 to 11x14 range.

Some may want a 16x20, but not that often. I have shot weddings as a pro for 28 years,

and I use a D70s with the 18-70 kit lens. In low light, I bump the ISO up to 800-1600 and

use a tripod. You will not see much change in your photos by bumping the ISO up, for

small size prints. FYI, I also carry an extra body, 55-200VR lens, but find I use the kits

lens the most.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Randy