[k1000]

Hi all, I'm using a K-R with the kit lens. (18-55mm)
I have a DA35 f2.4 and M50 f1.7.
And i'm thinking of getting a zoom lens that covers more than 55mm for my cousin's wedding at the end of the year.

Can anyone suggests some of the good zooms for such usage?
Also, i'm thinking of getting a FA77mm for portraits not sure if its usable for the wedding.

Thanks!!!

[paperbag846]

77 would be a great thing to have at a wedding.

I would also suggest the DA * 50-135 for a wedding... silent focusing motor will be appreciated, great IQ.

However if you aren't taking this too seriously, there are a tonne of options out there provided you have good light (like the DA 55-300) or can manually focus (for example, the Carl Zeiss Jana 80mm f2.8, screwmount).

Really what you want is length at a wedding. The 77 will be good, but you would do well with even more reach (depending on the size of the wedding and the venue).

[wlachan]

DA*50-135 would be a good choice. Just be sure to hook up the camera with AC power and tape the AF button tight so that the SDM would be running by itself when in storage. You know it was designed to die if sleeping for too long.

[i83N]

Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM + Pentax DA * 50-135 perfect for weddings

[k1000]

Oooh. Looks like the DA * 50-135 is a highly recommended lens to use. Thanks all!

Just be sure to hook up the camera with AC power and tape the AF button tight so that the SDM would be running by itself when in storage. You know it was designed to die if sleeping for too long.

what is the meaning of that?

[goddo31]

what is the meaning of that?

Probably best that you ignore that comment... I think that user must be bitter about something

[bdery]

If money is no object, I would select the 16-50 and 50-135. If money is somewhat of an object, I would select the Tamron 17-50 and the 50-135. If you can't afford all that but still want a new lens, gowith the 50-135 and keep your 35mm. But a wide lens will be extremely useful for inside shots.

Maybe you could also go with the DA21mm, your 35, and a longer prime, but lens swapping can be bothersome when you need to work fast. I would avoid your MF lens except if you're really fast

[pdo]

somebody must be smoking some good shiz!

[twitch]

I have a DA*50-135 and there's no way I'd bring it to a wedding as a guest. If I bring my DSLR at all, I bring 1 maybe 2 primes only, and no flash. More likely I'll just bring a P&S.

Once I had the (mis?)fortune to be asked just hours before a wedding to step in and play "official photographer" as the couple didn't hire anyone, for that occasion the DA*50-130 was invaluable.

I think it comes down to in what capacity are you attending the wedding. When you see people recommending pro f/2.8 zooms I suspect they assume they are recommending this to the designated photographer, not to a guest. In my culture anyway, if you are a guest you are there to be a guest and enjoy yourself mingling with family and friends, not to treat the event as a camera club/portfolio building outing.

[kenafein]

I wouldn't pay 900+ dollars to shoot someone's wedding. If it's just an excuse to buy a toy that's cool, but ask yourself what you'd use it for most. Do you go to a lot of weddings? Or would you rather have something you can shoot wildlife with or landscapes? I think everyone should have a 300mm zoom. The DA 55-300 is a good choice.

[k1000]

True true, I will be there as a guest, so getting a DA* lens is a bit hard on my pocket. But i would like to use this opportunity to try out on wedding photography, and i'm "appointed" as the photographer for our company gathering so can the DA* 50-135 serve as an all round lens?
I prefer to take portraits and sceneries.

[paperbag846]

True true, I will be there as a guest, so getting a DA* lens is a bit hard on my pocket. But i would like to use this opportunity to try out on wedding photography, and i'm "appointed" as the photographer for our company gathering so can the DA* 50-135 serve as an all round lens?
I prefer to take portraits and sceneries.

In that case the fa77, da70, or fa 50 should do.

[kenafein]

True true, I will be there as a guest, so getting a DA* lens is a bit hard on my pocket. But i would like to use this opportunity to try out on wedding photography, and i'm "appointed" as the photographer for our company gathering so can the DA* 50-135 serve as an all round lens?
I prefer to take portraits and sceneries.

If you were a wedding photographer I imagine the da* 50-135 would be invaluable. You could have the 55-300 and the fa77 for the same price though.

[jurysi]

I have no personal experience with the 50-135, but the general consensus on the forum reviews is that the lens is one of the best modern zooms made for Pentax, invaluable to many. It could certainly serve as an all purpose lens.

It sounds as if you wish to purchase a new lens, for use beyond the wedding. If this is true and you are in the market for a high quality zoom above 50mm, then the 50-135 seems a great place to start your search. However, for enjoying the wedding as a guest, while still taking a few pictures, I don't think you'd do much better, or more appropriate than either the DA 70 or the FA 77.

A lot depends on what you wish to spend and your use, but there are quite a few great combinations to be had that would fill your apparent desires (70, 77, 50-135, 55-300, etc)

[GeneV]

I've shot four weddings recently as a "guest." My most used lenses were DA17-70, FA77 and FA35. I tried the DA40, but it was too noisy during focus unless you use manual focus. Now, I'd probably use the VL Ultron 40/2 in the mix. I keep a 135/2.5 along, but don't use it that much on APS-C at weddings.

The 50-135 has always held a certain interest for me, but not much of my shooting seems to fall there, except for the ~70mm which is covered by my two other most used lenses.