Rebel 1 Loc: Woodbridge, New Jersey

I was elected to shoot a 50th wedding anniversary at a Holiday Inn banquet room. I will be using my Nikon D500 and also A 910speedlight if needed. Can I get some advice of what would be the best lens to use.
Thanks for the help.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

You were "elected"? Do you feel competent to do this at all, as the "official" photographer? If you need advice as basic as this, maybe you aren't.
Any zoom lens covering wide-to-medium telephotos would surely work.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Something with a bit of zoom will allow you to get close-ups unobtrusively. My suggestion would be an 18-140.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

You'll want a reasonably fast lens, like the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8, which is the best (IMHO) medium wide angle zoom for low light conditions and a Dx camera. You'll need some sort of flash diffuser like the Gary Fong Lightsphere to achieve bounce flash that won't produce harsh direct flash images. Failing that, take a white #10 business envelope, tilt the speedlight head up and attach to the side facing the camera with a rubber band. Direct flash is harsh, produces red eye and makes everybody look like they're at a crime scene. Bounce flash will soften and provide flattering light.

Bring extra batteries for everything.

Ask the Couple if there are any particular shots they would like to have. If there are any special moments, cutting the cake, the 50th anniversary kiss, etc DON'T MISS THOSE. Make sure you GET A SHOT Of EVERY COUPLE/PERSON WHO ATTENDED.

But, if you really want to do a stellar job, hire a Professional. Make it your Anniversary gift, sit back and enjoy yourself. When we were married, 41 years ago, the Mother In Laws "boyfriend" was going to take the photos. They had a major fight the night before and consequently, we only got 1 or 2 usable prints out of 2 rolls of film. Lesson learned, hire a Pro.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Good advice. If you’re going to be a guest as well, with limited storage, and if your flash is powerful enough, you also might consider a plastic, slip on diffuser head, which is less bulky than the Fong diffuser and produces pretty good results. I’ve used them at a number of similar events.

Andy

BebuLamar

Can you go there and tell us about the banquet room? That's an important information which you can obtain and we can't.

CO

A large aperture zoom would be good but try not to use wide angle settings, especially when the person is fairly close to the camera.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

My go to lens for events is a Tamron 24-70mm f2.8. If its a larger forum, I bring a Tamron 70-200mm F2.8. Yes, bring your flash. Set it up to bounce off the ceiling if its the typical white ceiling. If its painted black, add a diffuser. Your going to want to practice with your flash before the event to avoid that washed out faces dark background flash look. You are going to want to check out the room in advance to find a spot where you can take couples or small groups for portraits. I've even hung backgrounds when I couldn't find anywhere suitable. Bring a spare set of mem cards and a spare fully charged camera body and a spare set for the flash, maybe 2.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Run, Forrest, run!

TBerwick Loc: Houston, Texas

You're not going to need a big zoom factor. I got by for many years with prime lenses on my medium format camera and very rarely changed to anything beyond an 80mm, sometimes used the 150mm for balcony shots. That said, you could get by with an 18-70 zoom, fairly fast if you already have it but it won't ruin the evening if you don't. Just be sure to have your flash and take a monopod if you need to use some slow shutter speeds. By all means, if you have them, a backup camera body, batteries & mem cards. I never had an equipment failure in all the years I shot weddings but I rotated fresh batteries fairly often and made sure my equipment was clean as I never wanted to encounter any type of failure.

BebuLamar

I am serious about asking the OP to provide more information about the location, how the event would be, the lighting condition because those information would help in determining the equipment needed.

ELNikkor

Just a basic 18-55 or 70 zoom. Ask for an event program so you know what comes next so you can be in the right place at the right time. Get a group shot of each table, various family group shots, plenty of candids of the couple, possibly a photo of them holding a portrait of them at their wedding 50 years ago, a shot of the cake before it is cut. Have a good time, enjoy and smile wherever you go, this can be a fun event for you too!

ggab Loc: ?

What lenses do you have?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

A lot depends on what lenses you have. I would want something that not too large or heavy. You probably won't be shooting from very far away, so a long tele won't be necessary. The farther away you are, the greater the chance of random people getting in your shot. I would use my 28-300mm.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Very helpful