[photapioca]

Hello everyone

I have some upcoming photo opportunities such as a restaurant party and my first time doing a wedding. I've been given these photo opportunities because I have done several shoots for my friend's past events.

I need some help on choosing a lens. I haven't decided which one is better for these types of events. I can only afford to purchase one for about $500.
I currently have the 18-55, 55-300, 50mm, and a Metz 48 flash. But would like to purchase the lens instead of renting it out for later use.

I would like to know which lens would be better to cover these types of photography Tamron 17-50mm or the Tamron 28-75mm?

[jimH]

I like my Tammy 17-50 for indoor Flash work as well as general purpose outdoors, and it won't break the bank. It's generally wide enough for interior shooting and has a constant f-2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range, good for most indoor flash work. One other thing I would consider is a flash diffuser for indoor activity shooting for even lighting. I've had good luck with the Stoffen Omni bounce diffuser. It fits nicely on the front of the flash and really does a good job a dispersing the flash for nice even lighting.

[axl]

for event and indoor restaurant party, I'd say Tamron 28-75/2.8 would be the best choice, alternatively there are Sigmas 24-60 and 24-70 both f2.8 or FA*28-70/2.8. I don't think you'll need to go much below 28mm and much over 70mm so any of those three lenses would offer great one lens solution IMO...

Regards
P

[john5100]

I use the Sigma 24-60mm for concerts and I really like it. Given the price of the Tamron 17-50 I think I'd go for that. Wide enough for larger groups when you need it.

[Ash]

Tamron 28-75 - for value for money, versatility and the best portraiture results all in one, this is the lens to get. The added 25mm on the 17-50 is of great value in the wedding and indoor event setting.

But keep the kit lens with you for the extra wide group captures you'll need to get as well - the 18-28mm gap is a big one. I could also suggest you bring the fast fifty for the set up more creative bride and groom shots.

[twitch]

I agree a 24ish to 70ish is the ideal range for covering an event with one body.

If I had 2 bodies I'd use a 17-50ish on one , and a 50-135ish on the other.

Covering a wedding as the primary photographer you really need 2 bodies.

[SOldBear]

I would like to know which lens would be better to cover these types of photography Tamron 17-50mm or the Tamron 28-75mm?

I don't think 28mm on an APS-C body is wide enough. Wedding reception is crowded; there won't be room for you to back up.

If 50mm is not long enough, you can crop, losing resolution but still have the photo. The last time I checked, there was no operation opposite to "crop."

[kenyee]

I'd also say the Tammy 17-50 for that price range. I've used the Sigma 17-70 but I was using flash most of the time at f/5.6...a 24 won't be wide enough at times if you're indoors...a 20 would be probably...

[Ira]

I don't think 28mm on an APS-C body is wide enough. Wedding reception is crowded; there won't be room for you to back up.
(

Totally agree. Not nearly wide enough.

You're going to have to do table shots, with the tables 4 feet apart, not to mention shots which take in the whole room.

Plus the dance floor.

Even only being able to go to 18 is stretching it a lot. Remember:

While you may be able to stand 10 feet back and the 18 length will work, there are going to be 50 people between you and the subject.

I'm convinced that everyone doing this kind of work really needs an UWA, like the Sigma 10-20, so you can get close to the subject and show a lot of the room.

That's what they care about:

Seeing a lot of the room that they spent a fortune on.

[Nick Siebers]

I don't think 28mm on an APS-C body is wide enough. Wedding reception is crowded; there won't be room for you to back up.

If 50mm is not long enough, you can crop, losing resolution but still have the photo. The last time I checked, there was no operation opposite to "crop."

Well, there is "stitch". :-) I know, a panorama is hardly the solution at a wedding reception.

[Ash]

I don't think 28mm on an APS-C body is wide enough. Wedding reception is crowded; there won't be room for you to back up.

If 50mm is not long enough, you can crop, losing resolution but still have the photo. The last time I checked, there was no operation opposite to "crop."

True, OTOH there is a significant difference between 50mm at f/2.8 and 75mm at f/2.8 - and the kit lens could do those group shots, perhaps not to the clarity of the Tamrons, but at least you have the wide group shot.

Then again, I've been spoilt with my #1 wedding setup: DA 12-24, Tamron 28-75, Tamron 70-200, FA 43 (for the staged couple/parents shots). Without the wide angle, I'd definitely be handicapped....

[photapioca]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.

I will settle for the 17-50mm. It's $469-110 educational rebate+manufacture rebate=$359, and then save up next for a 10-20mm which was on my wish list for a long time. I still have few months until the wedding.

I just noticed something for the long run.
I could get the 17-50mm, then later 10-20mm, and 50-135mm or the 28-75mm, 10-20mm, and 70-200mm. Hmmm

[twitch]

I find the range from ~30-70 critical for events, it drives me nuts having to change lenses @ 50mm. So even though I have the 50-135, I'm going to be buying the 28-75 Tamron so then whichever of those lenses I have on my camera, I can do a head & shoulders portrait of 1 or 2 people in the 50-70 range.

What I'm saying is don't automatically think you must get a 16-50 if you own a 50-135, a 28-75 still makes sense I think assuming you are using just one body.

[photapioca]

I got the 17-50mm, but looks likes its front focusing?
Pictures below

[Ash]

From those photos it does look to be about 2cm? front-focused.
But have you done this test as per strict instruction, and is the focus point exactly on the right spot?