Which Single PRIME Lens for a Wedding?

I have a Tamron 18-200 that I am very comfortable using. I am looking for a good "portrait" prime for a wedding on July 1st. I have rented the 100mm WR from CameraLensRentals[dot]com and loved it - except... in a banquet hall type environment, I would have to have a fair amount of distance to frame the subject AND hope no one moved into the frame unexpectedly.

So, not as a professional, but as a guest, would you bring a 70mm f/2.4, 43mm f/1.9, or 21mm f/3.2?

And then maybe use it for fireworks 3 days later...
--
MrThallid
Novice Photog
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrthallid/

If you're going as a guest leave your camera at home, enjoy the day and stay out of the wedding photographer's way...
--
Keith...

Look at the picture, not the pixels...
http://www.lkeithr.zenfolio.com

I'd say the DA70 or possibly the 43 depending on how you like to shoot. I generally like more reach so I'd go 70 (or in my particular case my FA77 which is one of my favorite lenses)

I'd bring the DA70. Although if you want to take photos of multiple people that lens is going to be rather narrow. So it depends what kind of photos you're looking for.

--
http://www.kevinschoenmakers.nl

43mm ; actually I would bring something slightly wider for 2 reasons

• prefer the fov of 'standard' as it's more universal
• don't have the 43

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WimS

43 f1.9 for me. Fast, small, nice rendering.

I bring my DSLR to weddings sometimes but I agree, stay out of the wedding photographer's way.

If you just want an excuse to buy a new lens that's cool too. Of your choices I would pick the FA 43. I would personally bring a 35mm with a flash, like the DA 35mm 2.4. If you have to use the flash then turn it on otherwise leave it off. Eventually I put the camera down and have fun because hey, somebody else is being paid to take photos and I'm there to have fun and celebrate.

One other thought to those who suggest leaving the camera home. My father brought his superzoom p&s to my nephew's wedding. He stayed out of the wedding photographers way which isn't terribly difficult to do. He enjoyed the wedding just fine and took photos when he wanted to.

After it was done the wedding photographer posted shots on his website for the couple to decide which they wanted. A good 80% were all taken with that "artistic slant" While it worked for some, it was overkill and they hated most of the results. But to make matters worse, this guy didn't back up the photos immediately and lost them in some sort of hard drive crash. I don't really know the particulars but bottom line, the bride and groom actually preferred my father's photos and actually has them given the other debacle.

Moral of the story - having two photographers at a wedding is never a bad thing. If you want to take photos - go for it. There is plenty of just sitting around at most weddings, so it is nice to have something to do you enjoy and in the end, you may end up with some nice shots that the "pro" didn't.

sue

From your list only, FA 43 f 1.9 LIMITED.

For one lens only, FA 31 f 1.8 LIMITED.

For portret only, FA* 85 f 1.4

Based on your message, I'm assuming that you're planning to take your 18-200 and one "portrait" prime. If "portrait" type photos are your goal, the 70mm Limited, as others have mentioned, should be a great choice.

However, if you're looking for something that is more multi-purpose/versatile, I'd suggest the DA35 Limited Macro or the cheaper 35mm that's now available. This FL is nearly equivalent to the classic 50mm length of 35mm film photography, and with a little zooming with your feet, it's not too wide nor too long in most cases. The Limited Macro version would allow a few closeups/macros of decorations, flowers, rings, etc. which might be pretty cool too.

MrThallid said:

I have a Tamron 18-200 that I am very comfortable using. I am looking for a good "portrait" prime for a wedding on July 1st. I have rented the 100mm WR from CameraLensRentals[dot]com and loved it - except... in a banquet hall type environment, I would have to have a fair amount of distance to frame the subject AND hope no one moved into the frame unexpectedly.

So, not as a professional, but as a guest, would you bring a 70mm f/2.4, 43mm f/1.9, or 21mm f/3.2?

And then maybe use it for fireworks 3 days later...
--
MrThallid
Novice Photog
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrthallid/

Click to expand...

--
DarylK

Agree with what DarylK said.

DA35Ltd/Macro will be perfect.
The most important about wedding photos are always about details.

At least that's what you will aim for if you want the bride to like your photos

If only FA43Ltd can go close up, I'll suggest that. Or maybe if you already had FA43Ltd, you can get a close up lens to mount and it'll be perfect.

If I have to sell all my lens, the last one will be my FA43 Ltd

DarylK said:

Based on your message, I'm assuming that you're planning to take your 18-200 and one "portrait" prime. If "portrait" type photos are your goal, the 70mm Limited, as others have mentioned, should be a great choice.

However, if you're looking for something that is more multi-purpose/versatile, I'd suggest the DA35 Limited Macro or the cheaper 35mm that's now available. This FL is nearly equivalent to the classic 50mm length of 35mm film photography, and with a little zooming with your feet, it's not too wide nor too long in most cases. The Limited Macro version would allow a few closeups/macros of decorations, flowers, rings, etc. which might be pretty cool too.

MrThallid said:

I have a Tamron 18-200 that I am very comfortable using. I am looking for a good "portrait" prime for a wedding on July 1st. I have rented the 100mm WR from CameraLensRentals[dot]com and loved it - except... in a banquet hall type environment, I would have to have a fair amount of distance to frame the subject AND hope no one moved into the frame unexpectedly.

So, not as a professional, but as a guest, would you bring a 70mm f/2.4, 43mm f/1.9, or 21mm f/3.2?

And then maybe use it for fireworks 3 days later...
--
MrThallid
Novice Photog
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrthallid/

Click to expand...

--
DarylK

Click to expand...

--
'SEE BEYOND WHAT YOU SEE'

'I will treasure every moment in my life!'
Herman

43 IMHO!

It is nice to leave your camera at home sometimes to fully enjoy an event, but as Sue wrote, sometimes things don't turn out so good. We were attending a wedding of a good friends daughter last summer. Their budget for their photographer was very low and the bride had gone with a couple who she had attended high-school with, who had just gone into the "Wedding Photography" business after graduating college. They had good creativity, and had turned out some nice engagement pics outside. Inside however their work was disastrous. As soon as I saw their Nikon D3100 & D5000 with kit lenses it troubled me. Yet I thought they would do okay, especially with their spray and pray method of firing off a million pictures with cheesy diffusers, on a small flash.

A few weeks later we got together with the family, and looked at the wedding pictures. They were devastated to find out that most of the pictures taken were evidently unusable. There were NO pictures of the Bridal party let alone the Bride coming up the isle. And what there was, didn't contain anything close to stunning. What was a relief to them, was that I had captured all of the event form my carefully chosen isle seat about halfway centered. The long and the short of it was, that I had become their wedding photographer. I had only taken my Kx with a 28-75mm Tammy 2.8 (great lens by the way) and my only long lens, the bemoaned 75-300mm Pentax FAJ. (How I wished I had the 60-250 F4 I had rented to do the only wedding I had ever done a month before) I didn't even put a flash on, but set the iso @ 3200. All told, I had about a hundred usable shots in that ceremony from a great vantage point. The Sanctuary had stadium seating which gave room for clear shooting. If I had left that little Kx at home, there would have been NO pictures of all the must-halves. It was a good day indeed.

From your list I would pick the FA43 Ltd. It is an excellent slightly longer FOV normal lens.

Dave
--

The FA43 is ridiculously sharp with gorgeous rendering, and the focal length on an APS-C camera is very suitable for portraits. You will not regret owning it long after the wedding.

Rob

One more for the 43!

Just got mine, it's amazing. So good, I'm getting the other 2 FA limiteds fast, and probably the 21!!!
Anyone want a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8? Can't imagine using it again.

The 21 is too short for portraits at a wedding, if you don't want to get in the pro's way. The 70 might be a good idea too, depending on the church and your seating.

Also, take the camera with you, the couple is always happy to see more pics. I leave the flash off though.

miles green said:

One more for the 43!

Just got mine, it's amazing. So good, I'm getting the other 2 FA limiteds fast, and probably the 21!!!

Click to expand...

Another person infected with the FA Limited virus. Once you start using them, you realize that it's not just hype. They really are as good as their reputation. I hope that Pentax never stops producing them. I would not mind an update with weather sealing and SDM motors. Just leave the basic lens formulas as they are.

Rob

I never take a prime lens to a wedding. Have to move your feet to much or wait to shoot. If I am not the official photographer, just a guest, I bring the Sigma 24-60/2.8 (if I had a Tamron 28-75/2.8 instead I would bring that). I prefer a zoom with little or no compromises and those 2 fit the bill.

If I was shooting it seriously I'd bring the Sigma 17-35, 24-70, and 70-200 and at least 2 camera bodies. If I had a 17-50/2.8 or something similar I'd bring that instead of the 17-35. Lighting in a church is often too dim for lenses over F4 and since I don't have a K-5 I don't turn the ISO up past 800.
Kent Gittings

MrThallid said:

I have a Tamron 18-200 that I am very comfortable using. I am looking for a good "portrait" prime for a wedding on July 1st. I have rented the 100mm WR from CameraLensRentals[dot]com and loved it - except... in a banquet hall type environment, I would have to have a fair amount of distance to frame the subject AND hope no one moved into the frame unexpectedly.

So, not as a professional, but as a guest, would you bring a 70mm f/2.4, 43mm f/1.9, or 21mm f/3.2?

Click to expand...

I agree that 100mm will probably be a bit long.

If I were to choose, I would take the DA70 and DA35/2.4.

But if I could only bring one, then I think the FA43/1.9 would be it.

Robgo2 said:

miles green said:

One more for the 43!

Just got mine, it's amazing. So good, I'm getting the other 2 FA limiteds fast, and probably the 21!!!

Click to expand...

Another person infected with the FA Limited virus.

Click to expand...

Errr, yeah, diagnosis positive....
I fear there is no cure!

Robgo2 said:

Once you start using them, you realize that it's not just hype. They really are as good as their reputation. I hope that Pentax never stops producing them. I would not mind an update with weather sealing and SDM motors. Just leave the basic lens formulas as they are.

Click to expand...

Weather sealing would be great! But I'm afraid the motors would make them larger and more expensive. Though the disease only sees the first as a real drawback! Small size is one of the reasons I decided to stick with Pentax!

Robgo2 said:

Rob

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