Thoughts on lens for Weddings

[Spooky]

Hello all

I have been covering weddings for a while now and have numerous future bookings, my major items of gear that I currently use are:

D70
D70s
Nikon 18-70mm Dx
Nikon 70-200mm VR
Nikon 50mm 1.4
SB-800 flash
SB-600 flash

I have the D200 on order (since December) and this will replace my D70 in my kit as soon as Birdy can supply it.

Reviewing the weddings I have done in the past on average about 80% of my shots are with the 18-70, 15% with the 70-200 and 5% with the 50mm.

I often have to deal with less than ideal light and I am wondering if I should invest in a faster and sharper short range zoom to replace the kit lens seeing it is my weakest lens and that focal length gets the most use.

I guess the two options are the 28-70 2.8 and the 17-55 2.8. I don't consider the 17-35 long enough for my needs.

More primes are not suitable, I need the flexibility of the zooms and I don't want to be changing lenses all the time.

My concern with the above choice is that the 28-70 would not be wide enough and the 17-55 would not be long enough.

Any advice appreciated especially from those doing weddings or using those lenses.

Thanks

[wendellt]

the 17-55 is probably the best compromise
fast is good at 2.8

the 28-70 is too tiht for weddings as you need to get fulllength shots in tight spots and group shots
I use it alot for social and i tend to chop off feet

if your a quality monster get the 17-35

[padey]

Spooky,

I hope you don't mind if i have a go at answering your quition a little bit differently.

What glass to get largely depends on your shooting style. For me I visualise what I want, with the glass that I’ve got and then let it play out in front of me. Weddings are very predicable, and I usually know what lens I need on for what moment. Therefore I don’t use any zooms. But my wife’s style is to get into a place and zoom in and out for composition. I have no idea how people can shoot like that, and she feels the same way about my style.

The advantage for me is that I can get faster and sharper primes and shoot without flash. When I’m buying glass, I’m not thinking about ‘range’ and I’m not worried about having a gap in my range, as I don’t visualise 167mm. The advantage for my wife is that she doesn’t need to change glass as much and she can cover most bases.

Disadvantage for me is that I need to carry more glass (literally carry and financially own) where as a few fast zooms do the job for my wife. Disadvantage for my wife is that her fastest glass, f2.8 is two stops slower, and thus must use flash in dark churches/receptions. Also her subject isolation/DOF isn’t as pronounced.

Most people use a mix of both composition styles, but have a dominant style. By the look of it, you’re a zoomer. So I’d recommend a 17-55mm f2.8. But for the most amazing portraits, I’d recommend the 85mm f1.4

[paulvdb1]

It seems to me that a key driver is whether you want to use flash or not. I personally like using my 35mm prime for indoors without flash because it gives me a look that I like. I like to get the colour of the natural lighting - a flash seems to unnatural to me. The 35mm allows me to shoot fairly close or stand back and get a lot into a shot. The 17-55 would give you however the flexibility to zoom if the person you're shooting is moving around (ie like when dancing, or coming down the aisle) PS Padey - I noted there was a bit of interest in your 300mm last night/this morning! How come you were selling it?

[johnd]

Spooky, you've got 2 bodies and getting a 3rd. Why not go with 70-200VR, 28-70 and 17-35. All first class (non DX) 2.8 glass. You've got all the bases covered then.

Cheers
John

[birddog114]

Me?
Zoom
17-35/ 28-70/ 70-200Vr/ 2 camera bodies

Prime:
28/1.4, 50/1.4, 85/1.4, 180/2.8/ 2 camera bodies.

[padey]

 PS Padey - I noted there was a bit of interest in your 300mm last night/this morning! How come you were selling it?

Bought a 200mm f2. Gives me an extra stop and VR. Both handy in lowlight/indoors.

[Spooky]

hmmmmmm, food for thought there, keep the ideas coming guys

[birddog114]

hmmmmmm, food for thought there, keep the ideas coming guys

300VR

[JordanP]

Hi,

I will have my 17 - 55 2.8 at the O'Riley's meet tomorrow. Give it a test run and see what you think

[Spooky]

Thanks Craig, will do.

[gecko]

But for the most amazing portraits, I’d recommend the 85mm f1.4

Your samples are beautiful images!!!!

Cheers

Gecko