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Hi all!
I posted a forum question on here before regarding a good kit for wedding photography. After much umming and aaahing I decided to go with the Nikon d7000. Now I was just wondering what lenses to get?
I know what lenses I would like (the Nikon 24-70 f2.8 and the Sigma 70-200 f2.8), but at the moment my budget won't allow for those. What lenses should I be looking at instead?
I want a good kit so that I can do some assisting for a while, but then can eventually be used for my own business.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
I use mainly 18-50 2.8 and a 70-200 2.8 both Sigma EX, I also carry a 10-20mm for location shots. I would suggest you need F2.8 on your lenses as light can be very low inside Churches and reception venues.
Don't know how the D7000 is with noise on high ISO so that could also help you if it's good like a 5DII or III
Enjoy the assisting, I know I am
Stu
When shooting Nikon, I had the earlier 28-70mm 2.8 AFS lens, and it was hardly ever off my F5's or D100. I would actively encourage you to get the current replacement, as you won't regret it and the lens will last longer than the body. If you are really tight for funds (I know the feeling!) then an independent zoom may suffice if the saving is generous. I'd advise looking for as fast a zoom as possible. f2.8 constant would be great if affordable.
Don't forget a good prime though. The 50mm primes are great and very inexpensive, and the Nikkor 85mm f1.8 lens I had was reason enough to shoot Nikon. An epic performer.
I suspect you got the 18-105 kit lens with the D7000 dont knock it its a cracking lens for the price.
Your own choice could be the way to go when funds allow in the mean time look for a 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 they are cracking lenses for shots in the church and can be picked up at silly prices on auction sites.
The 50mm would be my choice if funds are limited as the kit lens will suffice outdoors for the time being.
The "main" photographer may have glass they could loan you?
Will your D7000 accept the manual-focus AIS Nikon lenses? If so, you can buy some excellent second-hand primes at good prices and get most of your money back when you trade them in for something newer. Some folks use just fast AF primes when they cover weddings but these are seriously expensive.
She-who-must-be-obeyed has been using the 10.5mm fisheye, 17-55 and 70-200 f2.8 at weddings and didn't feel the need to add any other optics.
Quote: She-who-must-be-obeyed has been using the 10.5mm fisheye, 17-55 and 70-200 f2.8 at weddings and didn't feel the need to add any other optics.
I covered a wedding recently with just the 17-55 and 70-200. I had other lenses with me (including a 10-20 and 50 1.8) but didn't feel the need to use them.
I use both the 18-50mm 2.8 and 70-200mm 2.8 for weddings; both Sigma as above. 10-20mm for landscape shots including venue and 50mm 1.8 for detailed close ups.
I have shot weddings with a 24-120 Nikkor, a 35-105 Nikkor and a 18-70 Nikkor, since I've been using digital. (In the olden days, I used 35-70 f/3.5, 35-105 f/3.5, 50 f/1.8, 35 f/2 and 105 f/2.5).
I also use 50 f/1.4 and 35 f/2.8. They've all been fine.
There is no need to get ultra-fast to start with, better to get a sharp lens you are happy using, and the 18-70, 18-105 and latest 18-55 are plenty sharp enough. Only pixel peepers will worry about the differences, and the concentration is on the couple and guests, which are in the middle of the frame anyway. Wacky distortions don't generally work for weddings, so frame a little loosely in camera to give you a bit of breathing space to crop the edges out.
To compensate for the loss of light, these days you can get away with using 400 or even 800 ISO for interior shots (noise reduction does wonders!). I always use flash anyway, even outdoors, and if you are not allowed to use it indoors (some churches/registry offices don't), then use a higher ISO if need be.
You can reduce the noise digitally, and a bit of noise is not a problem, whereas unsharp pictures certainly are. You might also have the benefit of VR.
Remember: f/4 is only 1 stop slower then f/2.8 - is the hike in price really worth it? I would consider getting better lenses when you can afford them and can justify the need.
Nick
As cost is important - maybe just 1 lens.
On a DX body 24mm is about right for the group shots and 120mm is reasonable for coming down the aisle.
The current 24-120 f4 VR is worth serious consideration as a reasonably affordable good quality single lens option.
I have no hesitation in saying 24-70/70-200 - but for their being outside your budget.
Few wedding shots are taken at wider than f4 and indoors in low light flash is often used.
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