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04-28-2013, 01:19 AM   #1
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Best Lens for a wedding? Help please...

Hi all,
My brother-in-law is getting married for the second time, and asked me to be 'the photographer', as I have a DSLR.
Of course I declined gracefully. It's a high pressure gig photographing a wedding, even if it is a small affair. So, I will still be in the small crowd, and I'll be taking a few shots in a non-official capacity. The wedding will be at a country location, very low-key with only about 30 guests.
I'm looking for advice on which equipment to take. I have a K7 and Sigma 17-70, Pentax FA 100 f2.8 macro, A 50mm f1.7, or a Panasonic FZ200 bridge camera.
The FZ200 is a fantastic camera, but is easily left for dead when put up against the K7, in terms of resolution. The 17-70 is a fine lens, but the recently acquired FA100mm is just begging for some use.
Is the FA100 going to be too long, for a small intimate wedding?
Should I just take the 50mm f1.7?
I really don't want to lug a bag full of lenses, so the K7 and one lens, or the FZ200 will have to do.
Not sure what the brother-in-law has organized in regard to a proper photographer, so this is all a potential back-up solution.
Any help appreciated,

Regards

04-28-2013, 02:05 AM   #2
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Unless you're going to be taking shots outside at some point I think the 100mm may be a bit too long unless you specifically plan for the shots you need it for (rings, flowers, ribbons, holding hands stuff like that). The sigma 17-70 will be very useful, I'd back it up with the fast fifty in case the noise gets a bit much with the smaller apertures of the zoom.

If you want to enjoy yourself and not feel like 'the' photographer I'd leave the macro at home. Three lenses leads to a lot of switching around.
04-28-2013, 10:13 AM   #3
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Oh the Sigma 17-70mm should serve you well. You can use the macro lens for more intimate shots of guests if you get the chance, my guess is that operationally it is a bit slower than the zoom. Most important would be having a decent flash and a diffuser. Alternatively, since you are part of the party, then go ahead and party and just take your P&S for stress-free fun.

M
04-28-2013, 10:29 AM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Miguel Quote
Sigma 17-70mm should serve you well
+1 on this too, enjoy the day.

04-28-2013, 10:58 AM   #5
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On the other hand, the 100mm macro will give you some space from the action so you won't feel as obtrusive. I have done a few weddings with this lens and I like it for its excellent sharpness, bokeh and ability to capture candid moments of people without them feeling like they're in the spotlight.

One example:

04-28-2013, 01:49 PM   #6
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Bring all three lenses.

The 17-70 is going to be your main lens. This is the lens to use when you aren't sure which lens to chose or when stuff is happening or about to happen.
50mm will be the backup and for moody photos with smaller DoF.
100mm, also for moody photos and possibly for portraits and stuff like that - the long focal works great for this.
04-28-2013, 11:34 PM   #7
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Thanks all. The 17-70 it is. Or the FZ200. Then again, that macro would be good for detail shots.......

Regards

04-29-2013, 12:22 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by sam-joseph Quote
that macro would be good for detail shots
As well as some telephoto shots in low light.
04-29-2013, 04:58 AM   #9
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A macro lens will be superfluous to requirements. You're not likely to be doing 1:1 reproduction of the wedding rings, so the close focusing capability of the 17-70 (1:2.7 max) will be more than sufficient. There isn't an enormous difference between 70mm AOV and 100mm AOV either - it's the same as the difference between 35mm and 50mm.
04-30-2013, 08:40 AM   #10
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I'm in a similar situation, and I've never been to a wedding! I want to take quality pictures as a guest, but I don't know what to bring and I don't want to bring too much or too big (hopefully one lens, 2 at most). I'm guessing weddings are typically low light so I need fast lens/es and need wide focal lengths for the fun, casual shots. I don't have fast and wide and I don't have zooms.

What I've got:
Pentax K-x
Super Program + iso 400 film (1/2 roll of portra, 2 superia)
A 50/1.7
SuperTak 50/1.4
Super Tak 85/1.9
K 35/3.5
no flash

I'm thinking one of the 50s are my best bet (fast, compact). The K-x would have the significant low-light advantage, but the FOV might be too narrow. I prefer the wider, "nifty" FOV on the Super Program, but I'm worried that ISO 400 wouldn't be good enough. As much as I love the rendering of the 85 and 35, I'm thinking they're too long/slow.

I don't mean to hijack sam's thread, but I didn't want to make another thread asking the same thing. Please advise

Thank you
04-30-2013, 12:53 PM   #11
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The 100mm will let you stay back and grab candid shots of the crowd. It will also allow you to get the close up detail shots of the day which the the bride will love. You just have to use it right at others have stated. If they have a formal 'tog then stay back with the 100mm and work the crowd as the talk an mingle. You can get the facial emotions of the day from a distance. We have had shooters in balconies doing this with 200mm lenses in the past. You will be getting tight head shots. 100mm works if you are not the primary shooter and know how to use it.
05-01-2013, 02:37 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by Winder Quote
and know how to use it.
Hmmmm..... I'm torn between the Panasonic bridge cam, which has a good zoom range and good video capability, or the 100mm. Either way, at some point I will regret not having the other piece of kit. Three days left.

Regards
05-01-2013, 03:24 AM   #13
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I got a similar pradicament, with my cousin's wedding coming up.
It really depends what you'll be photographing.
Pre-ceremony, if/when you're with the bride, I'd use the 50mm for portraits and shots with the bridesmaids
For the ceremony where you're further away, I'd go for either the 100mm, or pull out the FZ200 and take advantage of the 26x zoom.
For indoor pictures, I'd say the 17-70mm would be perfect for candid photos of guests.

Other than that, I'd say you're set.
Also, useful if you have a swivel-head flash for fill light
05-01-2013, 03:51 AM   #14
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Pack your 70-200/2.8 as well; it would be a perfect compliment to the 17-70. You're set.
05-01-2013, 06:32 AM   #15
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Ah yeah! I didnt see you had a 70-200/2.8
Use that for long distance portraits. Down at 2.8, it'll blur out the background nicely, removing most of the distractions!
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