I am looking to rent a lens for indoor church wedding...no flash allowed!

Hi I am thinking about renting a lens for some of my weddings coming up that

will be in dark catholic churches where flash during the ceremony is not

permitted. I also want to check out some other lenses to see what I may want to

purchase for future weddings with the same conditions. I am shooting with a

Canon XTi and right now I am using the kit lens. My rental options are: (all

canon) 24-70mm EOS EF F2.8L, 24-70mm EOS 2.8L USM, or 50mm EOS F1.4

 

What do you all think I should rent? Obviously I would practice with it and I

have a back up body so don't worry.

Definitely get the 50 f/1.4 - you'll appreciate the speed in dim locations. You'll need

something wider, too. And maybe something longer. 85 f/1.8 or 85 f/1.2

 

Have you looked for the 17-55 f/2.8 IS? How about Sigma's 30 f/1.4? I know some of the

online rental services have both of them. (I have used Ziplens with great success, but I

know there are a number of others.)

 

Watch out for shallow depth of field - if you're used to shooting at f/3.5 and up, f/1.4 is

surprisingly narrow! Spend some time with the lenses you rent before the wedding.

Specifically for indoor wedding ceremonies in dim light, the 70-200mm f2.8 L IS (the IS is important). Otherwise, the 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.8, or 135mm f2 would be good choices depending on how far back you are forced to stay during the ceremony.

You should just buy the 50 1.8, you'll never regret it. Cost is only around $100. A 2.8 zoom may not be fast enough. Best thing would be to go to the churches at the time of day when you'll be shooting to get a better idea of exactly what you'll need.

If you don't think a long shutter speed will be problematic, you might consider renting a gyro-stabilizer. For a normal weight camera and lens, you can probably shoot down in the 1/8 sec. range.

 

You can rent them from Ken-Labs, as well as some of the photoequipment rental houses.

 

http://www.ken-lab.com/

 

Some notes on use: http://www.ken-lab.com/html/article_manual.html

If you can't figure out the lens, or able to get one.. Shoot with what you've got, then restage teh important parts. With Photo, unlike video, restaging works well.

Tripod. Cable release and good timing.

 

If renting a lens ... 50/1.2 or 85/1.2.

 

While DOF can be to shallow when shooting close up @ f/1.2, it's less of an issue when

shooting from a distance.

Yep, get the fast lens and use a tripod. Once you shoot with the Canon 70-200mm, you'll

want to have it as part of your arsenal. It can really save your butt during a ceremony.

There's a website in which you can rent with no deposit down. Just a credit card. I don't have

the site in front me now, but if you can't find it, just email me. I think it's out of New York.

They rent on a first request basis, so put your request in at least a month before the

wedding.

 

Also, because you can't use a flash during the wedding, don't sweat trying to get all the

shots. It's not your fault that flash isn't allowed. You'll just have to fake some shots after the

ceremony if the clients want that.

 

The 50mm is a good lens and you should purchase it, but it might not give you the reach

you need during the ceremony.

 

Good luck.