I can see that many of you haven’t read my post carefully. I’m not the professional photographer at this wedding. I’m attending as my nephews guest. I was just asking if I should buy a 70-200 f/2.8 prior to the event.
stevetassi wrote:
I can see that many of you haven’t read my post carefully. I’m not the professional photographer at this wedding. I’m attending as my nephews guest. I was just asking if I should buy a 70-200 f/2.8 prior to the event.
Buy or not is irrelevant. It's a good and useful lens but I personally wouldn't use it for the wedding.
I’m not shooting this wedding professional. I’m bringing my camera to take my own personal photos.
I’m not shooting this professionally. This is for my own personal photos.
TriX
Loc: Raleigh, NC
stevetassi wrote:
I can see that many of you haven’t read my post carefully. I’m not the professional photographer at this wedding. I’m attending as my nephews guest. I was just asking if I should buy a 70-200 f/2.8 prior to the event.
Apologies, but in fairness, I carefully read all three of your posts, and although you said you weren’t interested in professional wedding photography, I don’t see anywhere that it’s been stated that there would be a professional photographer shooting (please correct me if I’m mistaken), hence what may have seemed to you to have been off-target (but well-intentioned) advice.
In answer to your re-stated question: yes, if you can afford it and want it, buy the lens - you will find it useful in a variety of shooting environments, including portraiture, which you have indicated experience in. If the weight doesn’t bother you, you’ll likely find it’s one of your most used lenses.
jdub82
Loc: Northern California
TriX wrote:
You’re right - there is a plethora of “wedding photographers” in this digital age - Craigslist is full of them - $500 for a wedding taken with their brand new Canon T6i with a kit lens. To be sure, there are real pros with a variety of skills, and some produce better (or different) results than others. The answer is to preview their work on other weddings before committing.
I actually wasn't referring to the low cost craigslist ads where someone is shooting with a T6i. I'm talking about MANY who shoot with professional level full frame cameras and lenses, who charge a hefty amount and still produce mediocre work. I would not consider someone a 'real pro' just because they own an expensive camera. Previewing their work can certainly help weed them out, especially those who are able to produce an extensive portfolio. Asking for the references/reviews of happy customers is also a good idea.
I shot weddings for over 20 years using one camera, one lens and one flash - Mamiya RB67, 90mm lens and Vivitar 283 on a bracket with a reflector. Shot everything at f5.6 or f8 and 1/125 sec on VPS 100. On the rare occasion when I shot 35mm I used my NIkon F, 50mm 1.4, same flash setup, film, apertures. What you have is more than adequate.
LMurray
Loc: North Orange County, CA
stevetassi wrote:
My nephew's wedding will be here soon and I own a Nikon D750 along with the 24-120 f/4 lens. Should I consider purchasing a 70-200 f/2.8 or do you think what I have is sufficient?
Sufficient with reasonably good light in the church.
LMurray
Loc: North Orange County, CA
stevetassi wrote:
This is for my nephew's wedding and I don't shoot weddings professionally nor have any interest in doing so. I do however shoot portraiture and I'm just thinking that eventually I would want to get the 70-200 f/2.8 and was contemplating if I would regret not getting it now. Yes I have a flash to use but may not use it for the ceremony because it can be a distraction. However, planning on using flash during the reception.
If you want a 70-200 2.8 get the D or AFS lens with two rings one for zoom and one for focus. The slider type is just as good but the ring slides when it hangs down a real pain in the .... neck Don't get the Gelded one.
stevetassi wrote:
I can see that many of you haven’t read my post carefully. I’m not the professional photographer at this wedding. I’m attending as my nephews guest. I was just asking if I should buy a 70-200 f/2.8 prior to the event.
If you want to buy it. Buy it.
Any time I can sell the idea to my wife to spend “more money” on camera equipment I jump on the chance.
DirtFarmer
Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
Once you have a new toy tool you will find all sorts of uses for it.
(Some of which it was never designed for).
In my opinion the 70-200mm isn't an advantage for the wedding. It's a great lens so if the OP wants he should buy it but the wedding isn't the reason.
stevetassi wrote:
I can see that many of you haven’t read my post carefully. I’m not the professional photographer at this wedding. I’m attending as my nephews guest. I was just asking if I should buy a 70-200 f/2.8 prior to the event.
Please note my response. You have all the lens your need with your 24-120. As I mentioned, just ensure you have a good TTL flash, and you're good to go.
If you want the 70-200 for later, then buy it, but it's totally unneeded to shoot a wedding.
I would only alter my original response by adding that you likely wouldn't need the long setting on the 24-120. Unless you can isolate and pose folks, you'll seldom need a long lens.
I shot weddings for years and only used a telephoto lens for formal sittings. At the wedding a normal and wide work just fine.
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