What lenses do YOU use for Weddings?

[heather_p1]

Just an easy question for all you wedding photographers out there. What lenses do you generally use while

shooting? What do you recommend? There is no concern for budget right now.

 

Do you stick with Canon or do you also use Sigma?

 

Thanks!

[majid]

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L. Then again, that's the lens I always use, period, for weddings or otherwise...

[lindamccague]

All my lenses are Canon. I use the 24-70 2.8 L, the 70-200 2.8 L and I rent the 16-35 2.8L (this will be my next purchase). I also bring a 50 1.4.

[dave_shilling__sacramento_]

the 24-70 2.8 L, the 70-200 2.8 L and the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L are the perfect Canon setup. throw in the other 1.2's and its immaculate. Maybe toss in a sigma 10-20 for misc ultrawide shots.

[thierry nguyen cuu - nomad]

I try to get as wide as I can.

<br>

I shoot 99% with 16-35 II and 70-200 f2.8 IS but I bring along the 24-70, 135 f2, 50 f1.4 and a Zeiss 60 mm Macro

on a Canon adapter.<br>

I just added the 14-24 Nikon and a D700 to the kit and a few other ED Glasses.

<br><br>

<i>"Do you stick with Canon"</i>

<br>

No. I stick with whatever gives me best quality and flexibility.

[lou korell]

It really all depends on what I think I will need for a particular wedding.

 

Standard kit: Canon

 

17-40 4.0L,

24-70 2.8L,

85 1.8,

135 2.0L,

 

extras - 24 1.4L or 35 1.4L,

50 1.4L

 

Standard kit: Nikon

 

20-35 2.8D,

35-70 2.8D,

70-200 2.8VR,

50 1.4,

85 1.4,

 

Extras - 35 2.0 & 28-70 2.8AFS

[k_cooper]

I really don't mean to hijack this thread, but to add to Heather's question, I would like to know how many bodies do you carry and how do u juggle multiple lenses?

 

KC

[sam_ellis]

My 17-55 2.8 (Nikon) stays on my camera 95% of the time. My assistant uses another lens and a 70-200 2.8. Occasionally, I will switch to a 35-70 2.8 and a macro for closeups of the rings.

 

As to K Cooper's question- I use an assistant. When he's not there, I use two bodies, one with each of the two main lenses I use. A lot of times, I'll switch cameras with him so I can use the 70-200. Since they're the same camera and we keep the ISO the same and shoot in manual, there's no difference. It's far better than switching lenses at beach weddings :) I bring three camera bodies to weddings, one for each of us and one backup or to switch things off. I'll keep an 18-200 on there for quick grab shots.

[matt_needham]

75% of my shots are taken with a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 on a 5D. I have a Canon L 24-70 f/2.8 as a back-up (the Tamron is sharper at f/2.8, flares less, and weighs less). Depending on the situation the rest of my shots are taken with a Canon 50mm f/1.4, Canon 85mm f/1.8, Tamron 17-35 f/2.8-4, or Tamron 70-200 f/2.8. There are 3 bodies in my case, but I rarely carry more than one at a time, unless I know I'm going to need another one, and won't be near the case.

[tdigi]

I work in the wedding industry so I see many wedding photographers. I see set ups ranging from a consumer grade

cameras with a kit lens to the more common 5D 24-70 or 24-105 + 70-200 2.8. I also know many who say they are

switching to Nikon for the better low light performance.

 

Not all use all Canon, the photographers I saw last night used Canon 5Ds ( 2 shooters with 2 bodies each ) 24-70 L and

they used Sigmas for the long zooms.

[preston_harper]

10-22, 17-50, 28-75, 50 (1.2) and 70-200

 

Bodies

 

2 D300s, 1 D200 and 1D80

[shawn_mertz]

Why are you asking?

[jim_z]

Primarily a Tokina 28-80 f2.8, with some work in tight quarters with a Tokina 12-24 f4.

 

jZ

[lou korell]

I usually carry two bodies on me while I'm shooting but lately I've been pairing down to one body and three or four lenses.

 

I bring at least three or even four bodies for backup but I'm just tired of carrying gear around. I like to concentrate on composition rather than my sore shoulders or even lugging around the waist belt with pouches. I either carry a small bag with three lenses or a waist pouch or two. It changes depending on how I feel and what I think I'll really need.

 

I will say, ever since I got my D300 I have shot with that only and a couple of zooms. I do always carry though my 50 1.4 and 85 1.4 in case I want to go prime.

 

Lou

[conraderb]

all canon, in order of importance:

 

two 5D with:

35 L

85 L

70-200 L

135 L

24-70 L

16-35 L

 

40D with:

60mm EF-S macro

[jimstrutz]

Lens choice would depend on whether one was shooting primarily with a full frame or a crop frame camera, and whether one prefers to shoot with wide or long lenses. Change either one of those and the lens of preference changes.

 

I shoot primarily with two Canon crop bodies, and prefer wides. Mostly I use a 17-55 f/2.8 IS. I also use a Tokina 10-17 fisheye, Tokina 12-24, and Canon 100mm f/2. On rare occasions I use a Canon 70-300. I have sworn off any more Sigmas until I'm sure they have gotten their AF issues addressed.

 

For the ceremony I carry both bodies, one always with the 17-55, and the other with either something longer or shorter depending on what I think I will need next.

[bob_crisp]

I definitely stick with Canon, I tried a Sigma once and after 2 years of use the AF quit working and the aperture worked only at 2.8

 

Lenses I use for Weddings: 17-40 f.4L, 24-70 2.8L, 70-200 2.8 L, 200 2.8L.

Bodies: 2 20Ds, a 30d and a 40d.

 

I usually have 2 bodies with me at all times and during the ceremony I'll put a third in my wife's hands and have her shooting from an angle

other than the angles I'm shooting, sometimes she shoots from the balcony while I shoot from below. I have a fourth body with me as well

if I should need it.

[wedding-photography-denver]

Based on using a FF system:

 

16-40 type range on one camera as primary use. 85 ish, on the other.

 

I add fisheye or super wide for fun.

 

Recently, using Nikon, I have used a Tokina 50-135/2.8 for one body during the daylight hours on a D300. Love the images I am getting and the weight/range is great. Not sure why I like this one so much but I grab it long before the 70-200/Vr. Probably the weight/balance combined with accuracy and the images produced with it.

 

When the light goes, its the 85/1.4 or 1.2 on the Canon.

[josh_baker]

When the lighting is not too dark, and the chuch is not too small I use a 24-70 (sigma) and 70-200 f2.8. In low light I use the 50 f1.8, and If I need it I rent a 10-20 for tight spaces. (I use a crop sensor camera.)

[umar_ridzuan]

I use 2 cameras (400D); normally one with Tokina 16-50mm F2.8 and the other with 70-200mm F4L.

 

The Tokina is mainly used for tight spaces and indoor weddings. However for outdoor weddings, I love using the 24-

105mm F4L IS. For the 16/17 - 50/55 mm range and since price is not a matter to you, I strongly recommend the

Canon 17-55mm F2.8IS. The IS will definitely help you on the camera shake.

 

I used to rent the 70-200mm F2.8L before, but most of my clients did not like the ideas of having too much

background blur. Hence, I bought the 70-200mm F4L, which is lighter and a lot cheaper to make them happy.

 

Back to your question, the price is not a matter, assuming you're on crop body Canon camera and don't like to

change lenses so often, here are my wish list for lenses and others:

 

1. Canon 17-55mm F2.8 IS - for those reasonably thigh space or/and low light condition.

 

2. Canon 24-70mm F2.8L - for outdoor or/and where space it not a problem.

 

3. Canon 70-200mm F2.8L IS - when you cannot get near the subjects or portraits.

 

4. Canon 50mm F1.2L - portraits.

 

5. Canon 580EXII.

 

6. Canon ST-E2 - help you to focus in low light but without flash or/and wireless flashes.

 

7. Manfrotto carbon monopod.

[ilkka_nissila]

My favorite kit for shooting in available light: 28/2, 50/1.4, 85/1.4, and 135/2. This is using a Nikon

full-frame body. I also use a 24-70/2.8 and 80-200/2.8 when f/2.8 is enough, but I don't enjoy the handling of

the zooms and I think they're too obtrusive.

[ed farmer - mount laurel,]

I tried Canon lenses and they just didn't work for me. I went out and bought a pile of "L" glass and found no use for them. I was surprised, not one of them would fit on my D200! I ended up giving them to one of the neighbor kids.

 

Seriously . . . Sigma 18-125 (Primary lens on my camera with flash and bracket.)

Tamron 28-105f2.8

Nikon 50f1.8 (My 50f1.4 was just stolen!)

Nikon 80-200f2.8

 

There is more in my bag, but I wouldn't miss them if I didn't bring them with me.

 

Ed

[jef_janssens]

The gear that's working for me:

 

2x 5D + 24-105 F4 IS L + 70-200 F4 IS L + 50 F1.4 + 15mm Fish-eye

 

I did try the 24-70 2.8 and the 70-200 F2.8 IS, but I 've found myself rarely using the 2.8 since at this aperture, one never has 2 persons sharp at the same time. The benefit of having IS in the 24-105 range gives me plenty of room in the dark church area's. I'm planning to get a 135 F2 for the typical afternoon sessions.

 

Jeff

[steve_hovland]

On Nikon crop: 19-35mm and 55-200mm VR.

[bruce_t]

35mm Cooke triplet