cony25

I will be shooting for the most part weddings, and I am going to a full frame sensor camera, any recommendations on lenses? I would like to capture from a short distance to a long distance (if possible). My current camera has an efs 18 to 200, which I love..would this lens fit the mark II? If not which lens would be similar to this for the full frame??

Any expert advice will be very much appreciated.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

To shot a wedding properly and professionaly you will need more than one lens. You are going to need:

2 camera bodies
at least 3 top quailty lenses.
4-10 memory cards (depending on their size)
External flashes (2+ speedlights)
Light Stands
Flash triggering devices
Battery Pack
Tripod


Now I don't know your skill level but ask yourself are you ready to invest in yourself? Because shooting a wedding takes more than a full frame camera and one zoom lens.

travlnman46 Loc: Yakima WA

Hi cony25: I have the 5D Mark II and unfortunately the s series lenses will not fit, as far as lenses for a wedding. Here is a great website on Canon lenses, it is easy to follow and breaks them down by usage and quailty. http://photonotes.org/articles/beginner-faq/lenses.html Check it out, I think it will help in your decision making.

cony25

Hi travel man,,,what would be an equivalent lens like the efs 18 to 200 on the mark II? I love the lens, does many things, except a wide angle,, but can't have it all

cony25

I read the article,, wow,, like a book...thank you for the info, I bookmarked it as wll

travlnman46 Loc: Yakima WA

Hi cony25: I'm glad the article was of help to you. There are also some non Canon lenses available Sigma and Tamron to name a few. They are usually less expensive and some of the UHH members swear by them.

SHOOTR Loc: Hoosier State

You are so right!! Back in the film days, I had 3 Rollei's and a C330 and used all 4 just as insurance. You never could be quite sure if one of them was not working properly.

vinnya Loc: connecticut

all the weddings i been to have never seen a photographer use any light stands or external flashes some hand held off to the side but attached to the camera, dont remember any useing a tripod. dont know what that says for the photographers but all the pics i seen look great and never heard any complaints

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

Triods are normally used when the photographer is doing a large group shot, he/she can set up the focal point, adjust the group, recheck the camera to make sure no one is cut off or out of frame, reposition the group and take the picture. The camera never moves it's location so he/she can make a few changes without worrying about the camera position moving.

Light stands are normally used for the reception/dance. They are placed around the dance floor (or sometimes the assistance will have the external falsh mounted on a boom arm) so the first dance can be caught just perfectly. I've seen some wonderful images where the light is held so it is behind the bride and father giving this halo lighting affect. The results are jaw dropping. Sometimes the guests won't even realize that there are external lights set up on the dance floor, if the photographer hides them behind speakers, The DJ's lighting, etc.

I've also seen lighting used to create dramatic images of the bride alone. Using it as a backlight, dramatic light in an arch way, etc. Those images the guests rarely see being produced because they are done before the bride even walks down the isle.

cony25

It all depends how much you are going to charge...you are not going to do all that,,,if they are not paying you but the basics....Depends on the package they choose,,,how many photographers, the budget,,,,

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

Doesn't matter the wedding budget, you are going to need more than one camera and one all purpose lens to shot a wedding. If you think you can get by anything less than 2 camera bodies and 3 lenses you are fooling yourself and all those brides that hire you. Do youself a favour, at least cover your butt with a contract, cause as soon as your only camera fails you are going to end up in court.

cony25

Which lens would you recommend? I have two cameras, two shooters...which one has worked best for you? I need your experience...

stevenkl Loc: Swainsboro,GA

I know this is true. when I thought I'd try out a Koni-Omega 6X7 press camera...it was rapid M200. Weirdest thing but didn't have the Rollei as it was on another site..and well I'm just glad I did have my Canon 39MM along. because somehow I jammed the advance mechanism on the Rapid M. But quick thinking and plentu of VPS for my Canon, saved the day! Yep, now have those three bodies and four lenses and EF units galore..that's another story.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I'd say you need at least 2 zoom lenses to cover the focal lengths you'd use. A 24-70mm f2.8L and a 70-200mm f2.8L IS.

I guess it depends on what kind of wedding job you are going to do. If your doing it free or cheap for someone you know then you might be able to get away with this minimal equipment but I've read what it takes to be prepared to do weddings and many of the other posts here are accurate.

Some churches allow flash, some don't. Some receptions are outdoors, some in. Some have white walls or ceilings to bounce flash, some don't. Some people will take you to court if you mess up, some won't. It won't matter if your camera battery went dead, your camera fell and broke, or you forgot to bring extra memory cards - if you don't record their special day the way they expect it, you will go to court and pay. Remember, there are NO do-overs once the wedding is over.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

I would have in a just starting out wedding kit:
16-35 2.8
24-70 2.8
70-200 the biggest f stop I could afford.

An maco lens would also be a nice have for detail shots but not a deal breaker.