wedding lens(s) for a6000

[Nosralsk]

If you were going to shoot a wedding with the a6000 what lens or lenses would you bring along and why?

 

[metalheim]

As its quite dimm at most weddings, i'd think i would choose the 50 f1.8 for portraits and a nice wide one, 18mm-ish, maybe Samyang 16mm f2.

A6000 AF Performance isnt the greatest in low light though, if i had the choice i'd rather bring a DSLR to a wedding (maybe with a 17-55 2.8 with OS)

 

[Nosralsk]

Im not against using manual focus for this so the slower AF isnt a huge issue. Open to MF lens suggestions as well

 

[hungrylau]

Fotofied guys were using:

• 70200mm
• 18105g sony
• 35mm sony
• 50mm sony
• 12mm rokinon

 

[SR240Z]

Has anyone tried a-mount lenses for a wedding? I have used a Sigma 30, 50F1.7.8, and Rokinon 12f2. Not bad, but defiantly had the need for a good zoom. It is difficult to change lenses during fast pace events. Would like to try a the Tokina 70-200 f2.8, but with the adapter it would become a f3.2 and not sure that is a good trade off from the Sony f4, due to less points of autofocus. Anyone tied this? Also, with a good flash, my NEX 5t did a good job of focusing. Looking forward to trying the A6000 I picked up this winter.

Also, consider two bodies. Keep a prime on one, and maybe a zoom on another. I loved the 50f1.8, but found it too tight in smaller venues. The Sigma 30 was good, just not as quick, and had a harder time getting as good of shots.

 

[Mcb345]

Has anyone tried a-mount lenses for a wedding? I have used a Sigma 30, 50F1.7.8, and Rokinon 12f2. Not bad, but defiantly had the need for a good zoom. It is difficult to change lenses during fast pace events. Would like to try a the Tokina 70-200 f2.8, but with the adapter it would become a f3.2 and not sure that is a good trade off from the Sony f4, due to less points of autofocus. Anyone tied this? Also, with a good flash, my NEX 5t did a good job of focusing. Looking forward to trying the A6000 I picked up this winter.

Also, consider two bodies. Keep a prime on one, and maybe a zoom on another. I loved the 50f1.8, but found it too tight in smaller venues. The Sigma 30 was good, just not as quick, and had a harder time getting as good of shots.

I agree, prime on one body and zoom on another. Bring a couple / 3 prime lenses and swap them out throughout the night. Might want a 50mm during the ceremony, or the 35mm f/1.8 Sony in addition to a nice zoom. Then perhaps switch to wide angle prime later in the night to capture big group shots on the dance floor and keep the zoom on the 2nd body. If you aren't using the zoom at that point then swap it out and keep 2 different primes, maybe 35mm and a wide angle lens? I can understand why many wedding photographers have an assistant or 2nd camera person, 4 or more lenses for 2 cameras would be pretty tough to keep track of / swap out throughout the night!

 

[blue_skies]

If you were going to shoot a wedding with the a6000 what lens or lenses would you bring along and why?

E24Z for group shots.

E50 for more intimate shots.

You already have the E35, I would bring that as well. The E35 and E50 with OSS let you work without a tripod, during the ceremony when people are standing still.

I would go to the venue beforehand with a friend and figure out where you can stand and which lens-length is convenient. I'd suggest to keep the shutter speed faster than 1/40th (1/80th preferred), and find out what aperture/ISO combinations are feasible.

Also, f/1.8 and low ISO is what you may be after, but too shallow a DOF may leave images blurry. It is sometimes better to raise the ISO and make the aperture smaller and get more detail (with noise).

If, after testing, you decide that f/4 can be used, then there are two zoom lenses available (E18105G and E1670Z). Check with lens-rentals if you don't have the lenses. Get them at least a day early to get used to them. f/4 may be too slow for many venues though.

If the venue is indoors or after dark, then bring a flash, and get flash shots from everyone (e.g. set up an umbrella in the corner, and let people come to you).

 

[caplanner]

Has anyone tried a-mount lenses for a wedding? I have used a Sigma 30, 50F1.7.8, and Rokinon 12f2. Not bad, but defiantly had the need for a good zoom. It is difficult to change lenses during fast pace events. Would like to try a the Tokina 70-200 f2.8, but with the adapter it would become a f3.2 and not sure that is a good trade off from the Sony f4, due to less points of autofocus. Anyone tied this? Also, with a good flash, my NEX 5t did a good job of focusing. Looking forward to trying the A6000 I picked up this winter.

Also, consider two bodies. Keep a prime on one, and maybe a zoom on another. I loved the 50f1.8, but found it too tight in smaller venues. The Sigma 30 was good, just not as quick, and had a harder time getting as good of shots.

I agree, prime on one body and zoom on another. Bring a couple / 3 prime lenses and swap them out throughout the night. Might want a 50mm during the ceremony, or the 35mm f/1.8 Sony in addition to a nice zoom. Then perhaps switch to wide angle prime later in the night to capture big group shots on the dance floor and keep the zoom on the 2nd body. If you aren't using the zoom at that point then swap it out and keep 2 different primes, maybe 35mm and a wide angle lens? I can understand why many wedding photographers have an assistant or 2nd camera person, 4 or more lenses for 2 cameras would be pretty tough to keep track of / swap out throughout the night!

It's not a lens question so excuse me for slightly changing the subject. Related to changing lenses - is anybody who does wedding photography using the peak design lens changing adapter? Does it make it easier or faster to change lenses in a wedding environment where I could see you might need to change lenses quickly?

 

[Caledonia84]

Very interesting thread, I'm not a wedding or a pro photographer so chances are I could be talking mince here!

but I do take my a6000 along as a guest sometimes and tried a few lenses,

Zeiss Jena 135mm f3.5

Yashica 50mm f1.4

Sony E 50mm f1.8

Elicar 90mm f2.5 Macro

I've been asked to do a few weddings which I've always turned down, I don't feel I have the right gear OR experience to take it on.

Ideally for me I'd like

A7RII+

FE 24-70 Zeiss

Selection of fast manual primes

A6000

Sony G 18-105

Sony E 50mm f1.8

Zeiss Flektogon 35mm f2.4

OBVIOUSLY I can afford none of these things! (except the selection of fast primes)

--

Scott H

Explore Scott H’s 3,742 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

 

[Caledonia84]

These guys switched from Canon to Sony A6000 for a wedding, this is their thought, pros and cons in a very chalenging environment. They also talk about what lenses they used and what they would use next time

--

Scott H

Explore Scott H’s 3,742 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

 

[Nosralsk]

I just watched that last night actually. It was helpful. Towards the end it sounds like he wants to keep shooting weddings with the a6000 but also add an a7s for low light situations. The low light thing is my biggest concern. If i cant trust my AF to be accurate in low light maybe Id have better luck using MF? Or maybe not. Its hard to say having not done this before. Ill just have to see what I learn from it.

 

[Caledonia84]

I just watched that last night actually. It was helpful. Towards the end it sounds like he wants to keep shooting weddings with the a6000 but also add an a7s for low light situations. The low light thing is my biggest concern. If i cant trust my AF to be accurate in low light maybe Id have better luck using MF? Or maybe not. Its hard to say having not done this before. Ill just have to see what I learn from it.

Please let us know your findings, I personally would like an A7s or R as the main camera, I primarily use manual focus so would be good to hear how you get on with it on the A6000
--

Scott H

Explore Scott H’s 3,742 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

 

[Nosralsk]

Well, the wedding is in two days. I rented another a6000 body and another prime. My line up will be : two a6000 bodies, four prime lenses (rokinon 12mm f/2 , sony 30mm f/3.5, sony 50mm f/1.8, and a Minolta MD 135 f/3.5) also a nissin i40 flash and spare batteries/cards. Wish me luck!

 

[metalheim]

Well, the wedding is in two days. I rented another a6000 body and another prime. My line up will be : two a6000 bodies, four prime lenses (rokinon 12mm f/2 , sony 30mm f/3.5, sony 50mm f/1.8, and a Minolta MD 135 f/3.5) also a nissin i40 flash and spare batteries/cards. Wish me luck!

Good luck!

Sounds pretty reasonable. Two primes at hand without needing to change lenses, also you got a backup body.

Youll probably need the 135 at the ceremony in church and the others later when it comes to dancing and the reception.

 

[Nosralsk]

Thanks! Thats what I was thinking. And I figured I could use the 12mm for some neat shots of the venue. I will report back on how it goes

 

[tominhouston]

The A6000 is a very capable camera and for outdoor bright weddings and afternoon receptions it is fine. Where it struggles is in dim lighting. Primarily during receptions, especially when they decide to turn the lights off for the dancing. I've never tried to shoot only with the A6000 at an indoor wedding, it has always been my third camera.

At the last dimly lit venue about a month ago, I used the A6000 and 35mm 1.8 during the dancing. I stayed near the band where the light was better and took couple shots about half of which were in focus .. but I expected that.

But, you have a wedding in two days. I do have some tips which may be of help to you:

I think you will do fine with the A6000 Pre ceremony and Ceremony. If there is a rehearsal go to it and try out the camera and lenses. You will also have an opportunity to make a friend of the wedding coordinator at the church.

You are the photographer and therefore “in control” make them turn on the lights during important parts of the reception like the cake cutting and the bouquet and garter tosses.

Don't be afraid to move the Bride and Groom into a better lit area when just shooting them. A few artsy photos of them using the 12mm will be good, but, the 30 mm and 50 for the closer shots.

The 50mm 1.8 even with the software upgrade is a slowish autofocus lens. I don't have the 30mm macro so I can't comment on it other than it will be fine in terms of wedding picture quality.

You might think about buying one of the small cheap video lights with extra batteries for when the focusing gets tough and you just have to get that shot. Don't be afraid to put a guest into service as light holder (one of the bridemaids will be happy to help).

Bring the battery charger with you and as soon as you get to the reception plug it in if you are worried about not having enough juice.

Remember to smile and have fun. I hope you don't find this offensive I've shot a lot of weddings and the first one is always the hardest.

 

[Nosralsk]

Hey, not offensive at all. I really appreciate the words of wisdom. If anything, Im just finding out that i might need to ditch the a6000 for a different camera. Possibly back to A-mount or another system entirely (maybe nikon) i will be taking on more wedding requests as they come and I want a camera that i can rely on in low light and fast focusing

 

[tominhouston]

I hear ya. Just not there yet for all weddings. Love the idea of lightweight cameras, but, at the end of the day I get paid to get the shot.

The mid range and above Nikon and Canon will focus in the dark. Maybe the Sony A77 II ( i noticed that J Lanier incorporated that into his wedding gear).

I use a Canon 5D mark II and 7D II and a plethora of lenses and have added the A6000 for some artsy stuff and video bits.

Best wishes on your wedding job.

 

[Kirwin]

The A6000 is a very capable camera and for outdoor bright weddings and afternoon receptions it is fine. Where it struggles is in dim lighting. Primarily during receptions, especially when they decide to turn the lights off for the dancing. I've never tried to shoot only with the A6000 at an indoor wedding, it has always been my third camera.

At the last dimly lit venue about a month ago, I used the A6000 and 35mm 1.8 during the dancing. I stayed near the band where the light was better and took couple shots about half of which were in focus .. but I expected that.

I'm not a wedding photog, but I could see the a6000 with 35 1.8 being a decent third cam/lens combo. The lens just seems to be made for capturing people. The following pics were taken during a New Year's Eve venue with the a6000/35f1.8/and bounce card. You can see how dark the place was because I did a couple pics in the group without flash. The place was bathed in dark blues and purple LEDs...

iOS Share Jan 14, 2016

www.amazon.com

 

[tominhouston]

Inquiring minds would like to know how your wedding went and which lenses worked the best for you?