Lens Choice
Jul 13, 2017 20:29:41 #
Don, Thanks for visiting the wedding section. Wedding photography involves a large amount of problem solving and the regulars here love to jump in and do just that. As you have seen there are many ways to go about it and the knowledge here is amazing.
My thoughts:
Before making final decisions on lenses modifiers etc., I think you need to understand what kind of light you are dealing with in the room. French doors all around? Are some or all of them facing the outside? If so you are going to have a fair amount of ambient light coming through. This would lessen the need for a fast lens and would effect your planning. Not to get too off topic, but there might even be a sunset opportunity outside the venue. Will there be the traditional first dance, speeches, garter belt toss and all that or is this just a big party? Anyway, that is how I approach a wedding. I devise a plan of how I want the night to go given the conditions of the venue and events taking place and then decide what equipment will best give me that result.
Having said all that IF you want to keep it simple the 18-200 is a good lens and will give you all the range you need. I have one and did my first wedding with it on a D7000. Use your on camera flash as needed with a Lite Scoop modifier as wedding guy recommended. Put it on TTL (simple approach) and you can concentrate on those memerable interactions that Ed recommended. By the way as Ed said, you are photographing people and creating memories for this couple and I believe that should be your primary focus (pun intended). Use as much equipment as you are comfortable with and will not take away your ability to catch the important interactions. If you will rent another lens I think I would supplement the 18-200 with a fast prime such as the 85 1.4 or 1.8. You may be able to get some creative shots with or without flash and a creative bokeh background. The Nikon 105 1.4 is a great prime, but will cost you a pretty penny to rent.
Hey, keep us in the loop especially after you visit the venue.
My thoughts:
Before making final decisions on lenses modifiers etc., I think you need to understand what kind of light you are dealing with in the room. French doors all around? Are some or all of them facing the outside? If so you are going to have a fair amount of ambient light coming through. This would lessen the need for a fast lens and would effect your planning. Not to get too off topic, but there might even be a sunset opportunity outside the venue. Will there be the traditional first dance, speeches, garter belt toss and all that or is this just a big party? Anyway, that is how I approach a wedding. I devise a plan of how I want the night to go given the conditions of the venue and events taking place and then decide what equipment will best give me that result.
Having said all that IF you want to keep it simple the 18-200 is a good lens and will give you all the range you need. I have one and did my first wedding with it on a D7000. Use your on camera flash as needed with a Lite Scoop modifier as wedding guy recommended. Put it on TTL (simple approach) and you can concentrate on those memerable interactions that Ed recommended. By the way as Ed said, you are photographing people and creating memories for this couple and I believe that should be your primary focus (pun intended). Use as much equipment as you are comfortable with and will not take away your ability to catch the important interactions. If you will rent another lens I think I would supplement the 18-200 with a fast prime such as the 85 1.4 or 1.8. You may be able to get some creative shots with or without flash and a creative bokeh background. The Nikon 105 1.4 is a great prime, but will cost you a pretty penny to rent.
Hey, keep us in the loop especially after you visit the venue.
Jul 14, 2017 09:49:41 #
thanks very much for the tips Jay. I will know more after I visit the venue and learn more about it. The reception will be in November and starting at 6:00PM. Doubt there will be much natural light available at that time.
Again, will know more after talking to the bride on what is to take place, band, DJ, dancing, dinner, etc.
Again, thanks for your valuable insight.
Don
Again, will know more after talking to the bride on what is to take place, band, DJ, dancing, dinner, etc.
Again, thanks for your valuable insight.
Don
Jul 14, 2017 16:45:49 #
PAR4DCR wrote:
thanks very much for the tips Jay. I will know more after I visit the venue and learn more about it. The reception will be in November and starting at 6:00PM. Doubt there will be much natural light available at that time.
Again, will know more after talking to the bride on what is to take place, band, DJ, dancing, dinner, etc.
Again, thanks for your valuable insight.
Don
Again, will know more after talking to the bride on what is to take place, band, DJ, dancing, dinner, etc.
Again, thanks for your valuable insight.
Don
Gotcha, I missed the November part. Good for you planning this early.
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