Some advice for lenses for first time Canon shooter for a wedding

[bananaman]

Howdy Guys,

My wife has volunteered herself to take photos for her brother's wedding, My wife is a Nikon shooter, and she is satisfied with her equipment,but she wants me to be the second shooter. I have a 5D Mk II with two lenses; the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM and the EF 50mm f/1.8 II. The church we are shooting at is quite dark, so I am tempted to make an investment on the 24-105 f/4 L, but I figured I ask you guys for just some general advice for lens choice for this wedding. The church is somewhat small, but has very poor lighting, and the wedding will take place during the noontime.

Thank you!

[shadowsports]

Greetings ,

If it's really dark, a 24-70 f2.8 would be my first choice.  A 24-105 f4 may work in the majority of situations.  It would be nice because it offers some additional reach.  Since you're going to be a backup photographer, you can always visit the church and see how dark it really is.  

A 70-200 might also be an option if you want to hang back.  Your wife will have to do all of the wide shots in this case.  

[jrhoffman75]

Since your wife is experienced and satisfied that her equipment will be satisfactory perhaps look for equivalent Canon lenses.

If its a one-off event consider renting if you don't want/need the lenses after the wedding.

[bananaman]

My wife has a bit of an unconventional setup; her primary portrait lens is a 55mm Micro-Nikkor 2.8 that she uses on a APS-C body, which is about an 83mm focal length. She loves it due to its sharpness, which I believe is well regarded in the Nikon world. I would guess the 85mm f/1.8 would be the natural choice, but how does it perform related to its L brethren?

[bananaman]

Might be looking into the 24-70 2.8 then, thank you for the advice. My wife primarily uses a 55mm Micro-Nikkor f/2.8 on a APS-C body for her portraits, so trying to find a similar lens with similar performance has been an interesting task.

[jrhoffman75]

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@bananaman wrote:

My wife has a bit of an unconventional setup; her primary portrait lens is a 55mm Micro-Nikkor 2.8 that she uses on a APS-C body, which is about an 83mm focal length. She loves it due to its sharpness, which I believe is well regarded in the Nikon world. I would guess the 85mm f/1.8 would be the natural choice, but how does it perform related to its L brethren?

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You can use this tool to examine comparative test chart images. The L lens will be sharper and IS would be a benefit in low light.

[ebiggs1]

I've been a wedding photographer for many decades. First off forget the 50mil as it is nearly useless. Secondly, if you think going from the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM to a EF  24-105 f/4 L will make a significant difference in low light you will be disappointed. Big time! Is it a better lens, oh, yes by far but not as a low light savior.

All of my wedding lenses are f2.8L and my EF 24-70mm f2.8L is by far the most used and all around versatile lens.

If you try to shoot at f2.8 remember you will have a shallow DOF so be careful how you compose the shot. You will need to kick the IOS up but without seeing your venue no one here can give you any specific settings or how much.

The very best thing you can do is get DPP4 from Canon it is free. Use raw and only raw. Never shoot jpg, Have DPP4 process the images as it is a simple and nearly automatic process. Do lens correction and perhaps some exposure correction. All very simple. Raw can get you an extra stop or two if needed, jpg can't!

I used a 5D Mk II for along time way back when. You can use ISO 1600 and get quite good results even 3200 if you go through DPP4. At ISO 3200 or 1600 and f2.8 or even f4, the church would have to be pretty dark to not get good results. Keep in mind stationary subjects don't require a super fast SS either. I like to stay at 1/100 or higher if possible because you will become the thing that can't hold still. Be dilbrate and instruct the wedding party of the challenging shooting conditions. They will understand believe me.

Make sure you check with whomever is presiding over the ceremony for what is allowed and what isn't. I never use flash and I strongly advise you to not consider flash at all.

You did not mention what Nikon camera or lenses your wife has except....... 

"My wife primarily uses a 55mm Micro-Nikkor f/2.8 .... Again, IMHO a nearly useless lens for weddings especially if she has a Nikon cropper.

I can vouch for the 5D Mk II as a capable wedding camera.

[bananaman]

She has a Z50, and her other lenses she was going to use are a Nikkor 16-85mm AF-S 3.5-5.6G ED, a Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1:4 F4, and a Sigma 10-20MM F4-5.6 DC HSM. 

Thank you for recommending the 24-70mm f/2.8 and the DPP4 program, I will definitely be looking into renting that lens. 

[ebiggs1]

"She has a Z50, and her other lenses ..."

Perhaps not my best choice for shooting a wedding, but what she has will work. At some early point in my conversion to digital and early in my career I shot Nikon using a D2X and a D3X. The first was a cropper and the latter is a FF. The D3X is an amazing camera still to this day.

[bananaman]

She has a D300 that she was not a big fan of due to its bulk, and the salesman sold her on the idea of a mirrorless. She also felt it had poor low light performance. Part of me feels that her having relatively slow lenses at the time did not help her feelings towards said camera.