What lenses do you suggest?

[Bethany Wright]

I am basically trying to find out from all you canon wedding shooters, what lens do you love and why?

My biggest challenge is the ceremony in churches and low lit areas.
thanks
beth

[Fireice_2]

For weddings I use a 17-50mm F2.8 and a 70-200mm F2.8. And of course the trusty 50mm F1.8.

[Brewyet]

For ceremony - 24-70f2.8 - 85% of the time, 70-200f2.8 IS 14%, and 15mm fisheye 1%.
For bridals and engagement photos - 70-200 - 85%, 24-70 - 14%, and fisheye 1%
I love these lens' because they are just so dang sweet. They get the job done, and get it done in many differernt situations. Are you shooting a full frame camera or a cropped? Thanks....Chris

[Harry]

Used to be my 24-70 f2.8, but now I've begun to keep the 24-105 f4 IS on my camera more and more. If I had the 70-200 I'd be in heaven. . . maybe next year.

My 24-70 covers most of what I need and is reliably sharp. My new 24-105, coupled with the low noise from my 1D mkIII, covers more ground and is equally, if not more, sharp than my 24-70. The 70-200 2.8 I want because of it's reputation and the fact that I don't have one, outstanding lens for many shots.

BTW: I keep either my 50 1.8 or my 85 on my backup camera. I read a blog from a well known wedding photographer that shoots nearly entirely with his 50 and 85.

[Svenson]

I almost never carry anything other than my 24-70 2.8L and 70-200 2.8L IS they pretty much cover everything i need and are great lenses.. occasionally i add a macro or fisheye to the bag

[Dratom]

I'm a Nikon shooter but the lenses are pretty close.

Prep 85mm ƒ1.4 or 50mm ƒ1.4

Ceremony 200mm ƒ2.0 & 16mm ƒ2.8 fish ......Camera #2 ~ 24 - 70mm ƒ2.8

Formals and Reception 24 - 70mm ƒ2.8 or 35mm ƒ2.0

[rainer]

Originally Posted by Fireice_2

For weddings I use a 17-50mm F2.8 and a 70-200mm F2.8. And of course the trusty 50mm F1.8.

I agree! I also use the 17 x 50 mm and find it versatile enough to do most my sho\ts. I pull the Nikon 50mm f1.4 Prime Lense out for numerous portrait shots where it allows me to be close enough and yet where I have enough room to use it. The 70 x 200mm f2.8 Tamron is great but it did prove to be hunting more for a focus and is a little on the slow focusing side. Unfortunatily my Tripod fell over plus a damaged 70 x 200mm to get repaired. I am considering selling it and go for a Nikon that is of a faster responding on focus.

[form]

Shoot 95% of the time with 35L and 85L. Canon 24-70L or Sigma 10-20 get brought out on occasion when I need zooming or ultrawide. 10-20 gets more use than the 24-70L.

If I could refit my lens selection it would be 24L, 50L, 85L, 135L, 200 f/2L IS, 16-35L, 24-70L and 70-200 f/2.8L IS. I estimate that the lenses I would use most would be 24L, 50L, and 16-35L. The rest would be available in case I needed them for a special use. Long lenses really only come in handy when you just can't get any closer to the b&g, and the 200 f/2L IS would probably be the best for that too - therefore the 70-200 might go completely unused.

Eventually I would also buy a fisheye for variety.

[Bethany Wright]

wow thanks guys. lots to think about!