Need help choosing a lens: I have been asked to shoot a small wedding for a couple who can't afford to hire a photographer (pure hobbyiest here). I have a D7100 but am getting the D810...

Razz

I have been asked to shoot a small wedding for a couple who can't afford to hire a photographer (pure hobbyiest here). I have a D7100 but am getting the D810 for Christmas. I really do not want to purchase a DX lens. I would like help in deciding which lens to purchase. The only FF lens I have to date is the Nikon AF 50mm 1:1.8 D. I do have a DX 35mm 1:1.8G as well Asa DX AF-S 55-200mm 1.4 - 5.6 G ED. My wide angle being out of the question. Hey folks - be kind please.

MarkD Loc: NYC

If you want a good lens for not much money get a used or refurbished Nikon 18-55 VR. You'll need flash since the lens is too slow for shooting indoors without it, but you can use the built-in flash. You could buy a flash since the flash will work with both DX and FX cameras.

You could use your 35mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/1.8 for shots without flash.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

You will do okay with what you have now. Do you have a budget in mind for FX lenses? If you can, I would start with a Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 to mount on my D810. It is a great portrait lens and good for sports. I got mine when I had my D7100 and I loved it and I still love it.

Razz wrote:

I have been asked to shoot a small wedding for a couple who can't afford to hire a photographer (pure hobbyiest here). I have a D7100 but am getting the D810 for Christmas. I really do not want to purchase a DX lens. I would like help in deciding which lens to purchase. The only FF lens I have to date is the Nikon AF 50mm 1:1.8 D. I do have a DX 35mm 1:1.8G as well Asa DX AF-S 55-200mm 1.4 - 5.6 G ED. My wide angle being out of the question. Hey folks - be kind please.

amehta Loc: Boston

Razz wrote:

I have been asked to shoot a small wedding for a couple who can't afford to hire a photographer (pure hobbyiest here). I have a D7100 but am getting the D810 for Christmas. I really do not want to purchase a DX lens. I would like help in deciding which lens to purchase. The only FF lens I have to date is the Nikon AF 50mm 1:1.8 D. I do have a DX 35mm 1:1.8G as well Asa DX AF-S 55-200mm 1.4 - 5.6 G ED. My wide angle being out of the question. Hey folks - be kind please.

Will you be shooting the wedding with the D7100 or next year with the D810?

For the D810, the best lens for events like this would be
1. Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 (or Tamron/Sigma)
2. Nikon 24-120mm f/4 (or Sigma 24-105mm f/4)
These are the standard "wedding/event" lenses.

If you are using the D7100, I would rent the Nikon AF-S 17-55 F/2.8G DX (LensProToGo).

I do not think it is a good idea to shoot the wedding with primes, at your level of experience ("pure hobbyist" ). It would require too much moving and/or switching lenses.

amehta Loc: Boston

DavidPine wrote:

You will do okay with what you have now. Do you have a budget in mind for FX lenses? If you can, I would start with a Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 to mount on my D810. It is a great portrait lens and good for sports. I got mine when I had my D7100 and I loved it and I still love it.

No, she will have trouble with what she has now, with nothing in the "wide-normal" focal length range. The 70-200mm is also not the answer for her situation.

Moles Loc: South Carolina

FX lenses work fine on a D7100. I would recommend a 70-200, and start saving for a 24-70.

Razz wrote:

I have been asked to shoot a small wedding for a couple who can't afford to hire a photographer (pure hobbyiest here). I have a D7100 but am getting the D810 for Christmas. I really do not want to purchase a DX lens. I would like help in deciding which lens to purchase. The only FF lens I have to date is the Nikon AF 50mm 1:1.8 D. I do have a DX 35mm 1:1.8G as well Asa DX AF-S 55-200mm 1.4 - 5.6 G ED. My wide angle being out of the question. Hey folks - be kind please.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I wasn't giving her advise for now. She will survive the wedding with what she has now. The 70-200 is a good start for the D810 for portraits and sports without a doubt. I would follow that with a 24-70 and then a 14-24 or 16-35.

amehta wrote:

No, she will have trouble with what she has now, with nothing in the "wide-normal" focal length range. The 70-200mm is also not the answer for her situation.

birdseyeview Loc: Indiana

Razz wrote:

I have been asked to shoot a small wedding for a couple who can't afford to hire a photographer (pure hobbyiest here). I have a D7100 but am getting the D810 for Christmas. I really do not want to purchase a DX lens. I would like help in deciding which lens to purchase. The only FF lens I have to date is the Nikon AF 50mm 1:1.8 D. I do have a DX 35mm 1:1.8G as well Asa DX AF-S 55-200mm 1.4 - 5.6 G ED. My wide angle being out of the question. Hey folks - be kind please.

I just shot my first wedding for my friend and used my new Sigma 24-105 f4 on a D800. So very pleased with the results!!! Every one loves the pictures. very sharp

amehta Loc: Boston

DavidPine wrote:

I wasn't giving her advise for now. She will survive the wedding with what she has now. The 70-200 is a good start for the D810 for portraits and sports without a doubt. I would follow that with a 24-70 and then a 14-24 or 16-35.

She will "survive the wedding", but will not be able to comfortably do a good job. I expect the latter is her goal.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

amehta wrote:

If you are using the D7100, I would rent the Nikon AF-S 17-55 F/2.8G DX (LensProToGo).

Agree 100% :thumbup: , and while you're there, rent a flash (SB 700 or 910) early enough to learn how to use it.
The 17-55 is a great lens and it's pretty fast lens, but available light isn't always good light.

axiesdad Loc: Monticello, Indiana

What's on the front of the camera is less important than what is on the back of it. If you've never shot a wedding, get some friends together for a party and ask them to let you practice by shooting the party as if it was a wedding. I'm only suggesting this because you don't get a do over at a wedding. Friendships have been ruined when the pictures didn't turn out.

amehta Loc: Boston

GoofyNewfie wrote:

Agree 100% :thumbup: , and while you're there, rent a flash (SB 700 or 910) early enough to learn how to use it.
The 17-55 is a great lens and it's pretty fast lens, but available light isn't always good light.

If you don't already have a flash, just buy one, it will get used and will last you for a decade.

I think the beginning wedding photographer should use a mid-range zoom and a flash. The experienced wedding photographer moves away from those as their style dictates.

amehta Loc: Boston

axiesdad wrote:

What's on the front of the camera is less important than what is on the back of it. If you've never shot a wedding, get some friends together for a party and ask them to let you practice by shooting the party as if it was a wedding. I'm only suggesting this because you don't get a do over at a wedding. Friendships have been ruined when the pictures didn't turn out.

Simulating the wedding is a great idea!

While knowing what you are doing is most important, the better equipment can be a very good CYA asset, especially if you can't get to the needed level of knowledge and experience quickly enough.

Razz

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. You all have certainly given me good options to 'chew on'. I knew posing my question on this site would be the smart thing to do.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

She didn't say anything about becoming a wedding photographer. She implied that she is doing this for nothing. Why should she run out and rent a lens and buy a flash to accommodate a free service? She will get good use from a 70-200 f/2.8 or a 24-70 f/2.8 coupled with her D810. She can add a flash when she needs one.

amehta wrote:

She will "survive the wedding", but will not be able to comfortably do a good job. I expect the latter is her goal.