Shooting a wedding with primes

I have a nice arsenal of professional Nikkor zooms, and when I need to shoot an event, that's what I use. However, I've always liked the "feel" of my photographs when I'm shooting with prime lenses. But while I'm generally happier with the results I get from primes, I'm hesitant to give up the versatility of a zoom. I need to know what I'm getting into first.

I'm curious as to whether anybody here shoots weddings using prime lenses exclusively. If so, what are your experiences? Would you recommend going this route, or do you think I should stick to the versatility of zooms for paid event work? If you have done a wedding with primes, what lenses do consider "must-haves" on a 1.5x or 1.6x sensor?

This is a big question for me, because the answer might necessitate a change of systems. While Nikon makes some nice primes, most of them aren't up to Canon's level, and I've been disappointed with a few of the Nikkors in particular when used in conjunction with a digital sensor. What's more, part of my attraction to primes is the ability to shoot in available light. While the D3 and D300 look like they could deliver great images at high ISO, the D3 is out of my budget, and the D300 isn't here yet.

Thanks for your time.

Not addressing your questions directly but haven't
weddings been shot for decades using only primes?
Zooms are relatively a new way of shooting weddings?

I don't mean to sound sarcastic but I don't really understand the question...You should be shooting a wedding with more than one camera anyway, so if you prefer primes, outfit at least one camera with your favorite prime and another with your favorite zoom. Sling the camera with the prime over your shoulder and use it for special shots and the zoom as your primary - or vice versa.

--
Darren Cassese
http://www.dnjphotography.net

Jonathan_P said:

I have a nice arsenal of professional Nikkor zooms, and when I need
to shoot an event, that's what I use. However, I've always liked the
"feel" of my photographs when I'm shooting with prime lenses. But
while I'm generally happier with the results I get from primes, I'm
hesitant to give up the versatility of a zoom. I need to know what
I'm getting into first.

I'm curious as to whether anybody here shoots weddings using prime
lenses exclusively. If so, what are your experiences? Would you
recommend going this route, or do you think I should stick to the
versatility of zooms for paid event work? If you have done a wedding
with primes, what lenses do consider "must-haves" on a 1.5x or 1.6x
sensor?

This is a big question for me, because the answer might necessitate a
change of systems. While Nikon makes some nice primes, most of them
aren't up to Canon's level, and I've been disappointed with a few of
the Nikkors in particular when used in conjunction with a digital
sensor. What's more, part of my attraction to primes is the ability
to shoot in available light. While the D3 and D300 look like they
could deliver great images at high ISO, the D3 is out of my budget,
and the D300 isn't here yet.

Thanks for your time.

Click to expand...

I use three cameras with primes..

Way too much trouble to change lens. Too much dust for one.

A couple of bodies with a lens on each works fine. Maybe
a backup near by.

Also, too much action for prime. You need the zoom.

Well then, I just don't see how you'd be sacraficing anything to give up one of the primes and dedicate one of the cameras to a zoom. I'm not familiar with Nikon, so like your post says, maybe the lens selection is what is making this hard for you.

If I were in your shoes with a Canon outfit (I do shoot with Canon) I would use the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, the 85mm f/1.2L and the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS (or maybe a longer zoom, but also with IS).

I use the 17-55 and the 70-200 now and it's a great lens combo. I think the 85mm would give me that extra artistic edge and is likely to be the next lens I purchase.

-D.

Craig said:

I use three cameras with primes..

Click to expand...

--
Darren Cassese
http://www.dnjphotography.net

but that is another story.

In the past, when I shot with a couple of Pentax 67 bodies, I used all primes ( a 45, a 90 leaf shutter, a 105, a 165 leaf shutter, and a 200 and 300.......two bodies with six lenses. The leaf shutter lenses were used for all of my outdoor portrait sessions when using any flash/fill flash as the Pentax 67 shutter flash synced at 1/30 th second, or less.

Not too much of hassle, but there were times. For the most part, I knew what lens I wanted to use for what and planned ahead for that time. Changing lenses wasn't too much hassle either; just not very spontaneous.

Shooting digital now, using Olympus E-1's with 14-54 and 50-200 lenses (also carry the 7-14 and 40-150 lenses), I love the versatility and spontanaity of the zooms. This is my wedding and event setup. For studio portrait work I would like to get two, or three, fast primes. Maybe if I can save up some coins?

George Law
http://www.images123.com

George,

I would like your opinion on the E-1 and the two main zoom lenses you use for weddings. With respect to zoom range in minimal # of lenses, Oly seems to have it knocked with the 14-54 and 50-150 or similar longer zoom. I'm a Canon shooter and while I like many aspects of their system, I have been disapponted that they don't have a pair of quality lenses that cover that range like Oly does.

I saw a recent survey in these forums where E-1's were used by quite a significant proportion of wedding photographers. The only drawbacks that I can see, never haven even held an E-1, are # of pixels, which Oly fans say isn't a limitation, and lack of wide enough aperture and/or image stabilization. (Except they do make some f2's, right?) And I'm not sure about TTL flash and slave flash.

Could you please describe your shooting experience and results with the E-1 system? You appear to be a pro -- is this your main system?

Thanks!
--
Mike D.
http://www.mikedphoto.smugmug.com

As an Oly user I can only laugh if the users of great "superior, super professional" brands complain about dust. Oly DSLR never had dust.

But now serious, about primes - last wedding I should have had the 30 1.4 on it during the church - but i didnt have it on because someone said it would be bright enough, and the action was so fast i did not find the time to change it. I should use fast primes more often. Lets say 50% primes for special tasks 50% zooms for everything photography.

AlteredLight said:

Way too much trouble to change lens. Too much dust for one.

A couple of bodies with a lens on each works fine. Maybe
a backup near by.

Also, too much action for prime. You need the zoom.

Click to expand...

--
regards
Martin

I had the E-1, now have the E-330, would recommend the E-510 for other brand DSLR users or would recommend waiting for the E-3.

The E-1 is a really old cam - I do not think its worth to learn to use it because for example image review is slow, except if you plan to replace it by the E-3 as soon as the E-3 will be available, then the E-1 will be a good backup which can be used in emergancy situations and has probably a similar button layout.

Of couse for those who learned how to use the E-1, the E-1 is great.
But for new users, isnt it better to learn how to use a newer Oly cam.

You really have to learn a bit, if you use the E cameras as you would use a canomn then you will not get best results - you should learn how the metering and the flash system exposes.

5 MP is not a problem, I think the sharpness of the Oly zoom lenses produce images which can be enlarged big despite 5MP
--
regards
Martin

Here is our configuration (Canon):

my wife - close to the bride and groom in the church
24-70L2.8 x1.6

me - far away, coming closer 2-3 times during the ceremony with the fisheye.
70-200L2.8 IS x1.6
11-17 Tokina x1.6

However, some time ago we had only one body and only 50 1.4 lens. This is one of our best weddings we shot. But i can tell you, we had to run a lot

Now the best would be to have an additional body with 50 1.4 on it.

--
Merowing
Wedding Photography

Marcus Bell and Bambi Cantrell, voted by American Photographic magazine as two of the top ten wedding photographers in the world use the following lenses for much of their wedding work

Canon 35/1.4L
Canon 85/1.2L
Canon 135/2L
Canon 50/1.4

they also use the Canon 70-200/2.8L IS and the Canon 24-70/2.8L

Cheaper alternatives that would work also exist; but this is what the top wedding pros use; you can extrapolate to some degree to Nikon and other manufacturers
--
Vance Zachary
http://www.pbase.com/photoworkszach
http://www.sawhost.com/photoworksbyzachary/index.html

RE> While Nikon makes some nice primes, most of them aren't up to Canon's level,

Where's this nonsense come from?

And then it gets posted here and because this is supposed to be a pro forum, people believe it.

Make a 16 x 20 print of some wedding shot, frame it, put it over the fireplace,a nd no-one is going to complain that it was shot with a Nikon lens and would have been better with a Canon lens.

BAK

Saying Nikon's primes are inferior is complete BS

Nikons primes (Olympus and Pentax too for that matter) are every bit as capable at capturing beautiful images as anything Canon puts out.

Nikon's 28 1.4; 50 1.4; 85 1.4; 105 and 135 f2s.................

Oly's 35-100 f2! ZOOM? Now you know that has to be super cool!

--
Morgan-Images
http://www.morgan-images.com
http://modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=419184

How's it going? Doing well this year?

I am doing a bit better with bookings and I have a lot of happy customers.. Hope it keeps going..

Did you check out the new Sony??? I think I will get it. It looks like a good one based on the KM 7d.

I will probably get their FF sony next year if it's priced ok and does what I want

Craig

I love the few primes that I have. My favorite is the 50mm 1.4. I think my pictures turn out better with primes vs zooms. With that being said, I wouldn't shoot a wedding with primes exclusively. The benefit of zooms outweighs the primes in my opinion. I use my primes when I'm not pressed for time (ie - not during the ceremony or reception). If I use two photographers I will use primes more. That is just me though.

I'm not George, but I am a wedding pro who uses the E-1.

The 14-54 is pretty much glued to the E-1 except for certain shots where I use an old Zuiko 100/2.8 or 200/4. Those two lenses are exceptional for the ceremony when shooting from the back. I am looking forward to the E-3 with the 12-60 zoom. The additional width (24mm equiv) will be most helpful.

For about half the weddings, I also shoot film. Depending on the situation, I have either the 24/2.8 or the 35/2.8 on the camera. The scanned negs give another look which is very unique today. In the olden days, we used to select films to achieve a signature look. Today, most digitals have the same identical plastic look to the images.

In the olden days of medium format and film, we got along quite nicely with an 80mm normal lens and a wide-angle for formals.

I use a Sigma 30mm f1.4 which is fast and very sharp, a Nikon 50mm f1.4 which is fast and not quite as sharp as the Sigma, and the Nikon 85mm f1.4 which is sharp but slowest AF of the three by a wide margin.

I use primes when there is too little light for f2.8 zooms. Otherwise the 30mm acts like a normal lens on a 1.5x camera and I do not have a wide angle as a result.

I limit the D2x to ISO 640 and the D200 to ISO 1250 for reasons of noise and IQ so I switch to primes to keep shooting speeds above 1/80th most of the time.

Canon users make more use of primes in large part because the Canon zooms leave a lot to be desired, both with WA image quality and reliability in performance and in particular AF.

I use the Mark III as well as the D2x and D200. I have a D3 and D300 on order and will be getting the two new FF zoom lenses Nikon has announced. I will be selling the Mark III, which is an outstanding camera, and the Canon lenses. Canon reliability (ERROR99, back focus, etc., Canon APS-C only lenses (10-22mm, 17-55mm) and Canon flash problems (continuous use shutdowns with 580EX II), are the reasons.

With Nikon I can use ANY Nikon lens on ANY Nikon camera. With Nikon I will soon have 12-24mm f2.8 and 24-70mm f2.8 zooms with Nikon image quality and Nikon reliability. I will also have ISO 3200 which will enable me to work with f2.8 zooms throughout the day.

What has been missed is the D3's 5:4 crop mode. With this crop mode and zoom lenses I will seldom need to do a crop in post processing. I can take my images and size them for 8x10 in batch and I am done.

Yes the E-1's are my main system (I have four bodies) and yes the pixel count really is not an issue; I routinely print at 11x14, very often to 16x20, and on occassion to 20x24. I think that higher usable iso would be a blessing for the Oly system, but having said that..............high iso has not really been issue for me anyway (quite honestly, I'd like iso to go down to 50 or even 25).

In the lens department, Olys 14-54 (28-108 equiv) is just a super lens as it covers such a wide range of applications and is fairly fast at f/2.8 to 3.5. I really like the older "kit" 40-150 lens (thou a bit slow) and the 50 -200 is a very good long lens but is a bit heavy and needs the collar if you plan on a tripod. Yes, Oly does have (I think a couple) f/2 lenses, the 50mm and 150mm, but I haven't really considered acquiring them. I did recently acquire the 7-14 f/4 lens and like it a lot.

For lighting, I do NOT have any of the Olympus proprietary dedicated flashes (too expensive I think). I the studio I use the older style Calumet Travelights. For location portraiture I use a couple of the JTL Mobilight 300s and/or a pair of Sunpak 544 handle mount flashes with their TR-IIa high output battery packs. A Sunpak 544 and battery pack costs me $230.00 where as an Oly FL-50 and an Oly high output battery pack would run me $900.00 (too much $$$$).

So, there you pretty much have it; the E-1's and lenswes have doing very well me for four years now and haven't cost me both of my legs to own. I purchased the first E-1, 14-54, and 50-200 lenses four years ago and then added the others starting two years ago at greatly discounted prices.

George Law
http://www.images123.com

the photographer who shot my wedding 25 years ago used all manual cameras--three of them and only prime lenses. he had an asisstant with him.