The 3 lens you take for a wedding?

I know in general people suggest a 16-35, 24-70, 70-200

but was wondering what you guys prefer to bring depending on your shooting style.

just curious to hear the various combinations etc,

Those three lenses cover everything, so they are very safe. That is the wedding 'holy grail' of zooms.

My three lenses are, 15-30/2.8, 24-70/2.8, 135/1.8, 90/2.8, 55/1.8...wait that's 5 lenses Last wedding I also brought the 35/1.4 and all lenses were used.

Honestly, you can do fine with a standard zoom and a telephoto. Anything more would be to experiment and try to get different looks.

If I am shooting safe, the a7s + 55/1.8 will take 95% of all the shots for me. Reason being that this combination is EXTREMELY reliable in terms of AF speed and accuracy and because of the amazing sensor, the photos will always be very clean. In this case, I will bring something wider (probably the 35) as well as the 135.

If it's for fun, I'd probably just take a 35 f1.4, 24-70 f2.8 and maybe the 70-200 f4.

if it's for a client, I bring everything - two bodies, 16-35 f4, 35 f1.4, 24-70 f2.8, 85 f1.8, 70-200 f4. I probably would leave the 55 f1.8 at home because it's adequately covered focal length wise with the 24-70. The majority of shots I took at my last wedding was with the 16-35 f4, 35 f1.4 and 70-200 f4 though

--
See my work and gear blog at http://www.sungparkphotography.com

An acquaintance of mine, Daniel Bilsborough , is shooting all his weddings with a 35mm and 85mm combo, paired to a D750.

Works with just one body and swaps glass on the go throughout the day. No strobes except for the Ice Light stick during the night event. Keeps things simple and light... I've learned quite a bit from his photography and overall approach. Don't let the gear get in the way during a busy and hectic event

He shoots weddings all over the world and does wonderful work.

I would carry 2 and a RX100. There is no time to swap lenses.

I personally bring more lenses than 3 for extra flexibility, Tamron 15-30mm 2.8, Sony FE 35mm 1.4, 55mm 1.8, 85mm 1.5 GM and Canon 70-200mm F2.8 IS ii.
For the most part I switch between the 35mm , 85mm and the 70-200mm depending on location of course.
The reason I go with primes on the short focal range vs the usual 24-70mm is because I want my images to have that extra subject isolation that the faster primes give me.
Regards

• 15mm Voigtlander f4.5
• 50mm Rokkor f1.4
• 25mm Batis f2

That's my standard 90% wedding kit. I usually bring a flash, and a 135mm for some of the portrait-ish work if required. This setup requires you to make friends with your subjects, you need to be close all the time.

18mm, 35mm and 135mm.

I shot a wedding reception last month. My number 1 concern was that someone might steal my equipment. I would think it is a good idea to carry everything on me. But how do you carry 2 camera bodies, 5 lenses, and a few flashes on you?

I will no longer shoot weddings, but if I did, I would shoot two bodies with the 35mm f1.4 and GM85 on them most of the time. Fast lenses (and/or long focal lengths) are key to getting subject isolation and the soft ambient quality most clients want to see.

For the ceremony, I would shoot the 70-200mm f2.8, since you can rarely stand where you want to be and often need the flexibility of a long zoom. For the off-site bride-groom shots, I would use a 135mm f2 (or 135mm f1.8). The 70-200mm f2.8 zoom will work, but the background will not be as creamy. I would use a 16-35mm f2.8 (or 15-30mm f2.8) for some of the reception shots (or a 24-70mm f2.8).

If I had to limit it to three lenses, they would be the 35mm f1.4, 85mm f1.4 and 70-200mm f2.8. A wider lens can be good for the bridal dressing and reception dance-floor shots, however. I have also found that the 35mm f1.4 lens can often substitute for a macro lens for the detail shots (rings, shoes, etc), due to the close-focusing capability.

On and off-camera strobes can be important for many of the shots.

Since the Sony cameras do not have redundant card slots, you will want to reduce risk by using high quality cards and assure that they are all formatted in the camera prior to the wedding (not the computer). Also, never delete any images in the camera, since such can create FAT (file allocation table) errors.

--
Jeff
Florida, USA
http://www.gr8photography.com

vett93 said:

I shot a wedding reception last month. My number 1 concern was that someone might steal my equipment. I would think it is a good idea to carry everything on me. But how do you carry 2 camera bodies, 5 lenses, and a few flashes on you?

--
"Keep calm and take photos"
Photography enthusiast, from 12mm to 500mm

Click to expand...

in an interview with Cliff Mautner he said something that made a lot of sense... If you're getting paid to shoot a wedding... you should be able to afford to hire someone at $20/hour (give or take) to simply watch over your gear and perhaps hand you lenses when you want to swap/change gear. The person you hire doesn't even need to know photography, it's not like hiring a 2nd (or 3rd) shooter, it's simply to help you lug gear around and watch over them throughout the day. It's worth it when you factor in what a wedding photog is getting paid these days AND NOT having that concern about getting gear stolen = peace of mind

I have done some weddings, and all of them where shoot with 3 lenses:

- 85 GM

- FE Zeiss 50 1.4

- FE Zeiss 35 1.4

That's all I need, if you want you can check some of my work at http://socialarte.net

Cheers

A7R2 with:

28FE

55F1.8

70-200F2.8 or F4 depending on which location I am shooting in for ceremony.

85 Batis

patdinco said:

I know in general people suggest a 16-35, 24-70, 70-200

but was wondering what you guys prefer to bring depending on your shooting style.

just curious to hear the various combinations etc,

Click to expand...

If you haven't already, check out shotkit.com => Photographers/Weddings. A real world look at the gear wedding photogs use to include the most commonly used FLs. Seems environmental is in fashion these days with fast 35/50's.

patdinco said:

I know in general people suggest a 16-35, 24-70, 70-200

but was wondering what you guys prefer to bring depending on your shooting style.

just curious to hear the various combinations etc,

Click to expand...

I did my first wedding 6mths ago when I was on vacation in asia. I did not charge them and I gave it as a gift. I only have two lenses a canon 35mm F2 and Canon 200mm F2L. I use the 200mm outside most of the time and 35mm indoors..

LBJ2 said:

patdinco said:

I know in general people suggest a 16-35, 24-70, 70-200

but was wondering what you guys prefer to bring depending on your shooting style.

just curious to hear the various combinations etc,

Click to expand...

If you haven't already, check out shotkit.com => Photographers/Weddings. A real world look at the gear wedding photogs use to include the most commonly used FLs. Seems environmental is in fashion these days with fast 35/50's.

Click to expand...

Interesting, I was going to say my Sigma 30/1.4 C E mount (or Canon EF 35/2 IS on MC-11 adapter), 50/1.8 OSS and Sony 90/2.8 G OSS Macro (for inside) and Sony 70-300/4.5-5.6 G OSS (for outside).

patdinco said:

I know in general people suggest a 16-35, 24-70, 70-200

but was wondering what you guys prefer to bring depending on your shooting style.

just curious to hear the various combinations etc,

Click to expand...

Back when I was doing weddings -- and the list will give you an idea of how long ago that was -- I used:

• A Rolleiflex with an 80mm (kinda like a 45 on a 35mm camera) lens for formal shots.
• A Nikon F with a 25mm for establishing shots.
• A Nikon F with a 135mm f/3.5 for unposed portraits.

I shot two weddings a few months ago as the second chair photographer. I just used a Nikon D5 and a 24-70 f/2.8 zoom.

If I were in the biz now, I'd probably use D5s and the 14-24, 24-70, and 70-200 f/2.8 trio. Not the ultimate IQ, but weddings don't require that.

Jim

--
http://blog.kasson.com

Depends. My average wedding fee is $2000. 10% insurance is pretty expensive. I usually tuck my gear somewhere, like by the DJ booth, under one of the tables, etc... Granted the gear is pricey, but if I am carrying the bodies, and there is a lens attached to each body, usually all that is left is a macro lens ($250), UWA ($1200), and batteries ($200). After 8 weddings, I would have saved enough to replace all this, so unless it affects the day of (it wouldn't), I think this is too much for me.

trainerKEN said:

in an interview with Cliff Mautner he said something that made a lot of sense... If you're getting paid to shoot a wedding... you should be able to afford to hire someone at $20/hour (give or take) to simply watch over your gear and perhaps hand you lenses when you want to swap/change gear. The person you hire doesn't even need to know photography, it's not like hiring a 2nd (or 3rd) shooter, it's simply to help you lug gear around and watch over them throughout the day. It's worth it when you factor in what a wedding photog is getting paid these days AND NOT having that concern about getting gear stolen = peace of mind

Click to expand...

DJohnny said:

Depends. My average wedding fee is $2000. 10% insurance is pretty expensive. I usually tuck my gear somewhere, like by the DJ booth, under one of the tables, etc... Granted the gear is pricey, but if I am carrying the bodies, and there is a lens attached to each body, usually all that is left is a macro lens ($250), UWA ($1200), and batteries ($200). After 8 weddings, I would have saved enough to replace all this, so unless it affects the day of (it wouldn't), I think this is too much for me.

trainerKEN said:

in an interview with Cliff Mautner he said something that made a lot of sense... If you're getting paid to shoot a wedding... you should be able to afford to hire someone at $20/hour (give or take) to simply watch over your gear and perhaps hand you lenses when you want to swap/change gear. The person you hire doesn't even need to know photography, it's not like hiring a 2nd (or 3rd) shooter, it's simply to help you lug gear around and watch over them throughout the day. It's worth it when you factor in what a wedding photog is getting paid these days AND NOT having that concern about getting gear stolen = peace of mind

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

everyone's going to view it differently, for what it's worth, I was referring to the other person that asked: "But how do you carry 2 camera bodies, 5 lenses, and a few flashes on you?"... he specifically said he would worry about getting stuff stolen... If that's not a concern for you, and you don't think it's worth hiring someone that might cost you around $160 (8 hours x $20) to watch over your gear that's worth thousands... then don't hire someone. As someone that has had camera gear stolen before (it wasn't from shooting a wedding, but it was over $15k worth), I just don't take chances (thank goodness for insurance).

trainerKEN said:

DJohnny said:

Depends. My average wedding fee is $2000. 10% insurance is pretty expensive. I usually tuck my gear somewhere, like by the DJ booth, under one of the tables, etc... Granted the gear is pricey, but if I am carrying the bodies, and there is a lens attached to each body, usually all that is left is a macro lens ($250), UWA ($1200), and batteries ($200). After 8 weddings, I would have saved enough to replace all this, so unless it affects the day of (it wouldn't), I think this is too much for me.

trainerKEN said:

in an interview with Cliff Mautner he said something that made a lot of sense... If you're getting paid to shoot a wedding... you should be able to afford to hire someone at $20/hour (give or take) to simply watch over your gear and perhaps hand you lenses when you want to swap/change gear. The person you hire doesn't even need to know photography, it's not like hiring a 2nd (or 3rd) shooter, it's simply to help you lug gear around and watch over them throughout the day. It's worth it when you factor in what a wedding photog is getting paid these days AND NOT having that concern about getting gear stolen = peace of mind

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

everyone's going to view it differently, for what it's worth, I was referring to the other person that asked: "But how do you carry 2 camera bodies, 5 lenses, and a few flashes on you?"... he specifically said he would worry about getting stuff stolen... If that's not a concern for you, and you don't think it's worth hiring someone that might cost you around $160 (8 hours x $20) to watch over your gear that's worth thousands... then don't hire someone. As someone that has had camera gear stolen before (it wasn't from shooting a wedding, but it was over $15k worth), I just don't take chances (thank goodness for insurance).

Click to expand...

My solution is using a BlackRapid Double Strap to carry two camera bodies with lenses. The other 3 lenses go on 3 Think Tank Photo modular component bags mounted on a waist belt. Then I also carry a camera shoulder bag, underneath the BlackRapid Double Strap, for flashes and other accessories.

I must look funny to others.

--
"Keep calm and take photos"
Photography enthusiast, from 12mm to 500mm