If you could only pick one of these lenses for events, which?

I already own the 35mm F2 and the 16 - 55 F2.8 for the X-T2.

For the purposes of events work, wedding in particular, which of the following would you add to the collection, ignoring price for the moment:

56mm F1.2

90mm F2

50 - 140mm F2.8

And why? Thanks.

Definitely 50-140.   Mainly because it's versatile, fantastic,  and I use it as my primary lens at most events I shoot.

ArtByLukeBennett wrote:

I already own the 35mm F2 and the 16 - 55 F2.8 for the X-T2.

For the purposes of events work, wedding in particular, which of the following would you add to the collection, ignoring price for the moment:

56mm F1.2

90mm F2

50 - 140mm F2.8

And why? Thanks.

You'll get a lot of votes for the 56 f/1.2.  But I would go with the 50-140.  If you only have 3 lenses I think you will get a lot more use out of the focal length range offered by having the 50-140 in the bag.  The 56 f/1.2 will undoubtedly give you beautiful brides portraits and the wide aperture will be useful in a lot of cases.  I just think with just three lenses you would get more usage from the 50-140.  If you get a fourth lens get the 56.

50-140mm f/2.8 for the reasons of silent and fast AF (56mm f/1.2 is generally not at all fast in low light--I know well because I use it regularly indoors with X-T1, all on the latest firmware), very good OIS, and versatility of focal length range. It's a very nice sharp lens too. When it comes to capturing the moment quickly, I'd trust that lens more than 56mm f/1.2 to do it on split notice.

The 90mm f/2 is by all accounts a gorgeous lens, but more limiting in terms of being quite long. For staged portraits, any of those lenses will be great. For continuous event photography where people are moving about and doing different things, I'd go with the 50-140mm f/2.8.

Also for event photography, I hope you are able to use flash (either bounce on the camera or some strategically-placed light stands), in which case the fact that the zoom is only f/2.8 at the brightest should not be an issue.

With all that said, I had a great time with the little normal prime 35mm f/1.4 at my friend's wedding where I was a guest. I unobrtusively captured a few photos of my friends and the wedded couple, and that focal length was great for almost everything, and the f/1.4 aperture was very helpful, because I did not use flash (and limited myself to full electronic shutter for silence).  It was a great documentary type lens for the general party scenes.

56/1.2.

But who cares what I would pick?  Pick the lens *you* want to shoot with.

ArtByLukeBennett wrote:

I already own the 35mm F2 and the 16 - 55 F2.8 for the X-T2.

For the purposes of events work, wedding in particular, which of the following would you add to the collection, ignoring price for the moment:

56mm F1.2

90mm F2

50 - 140mm F2.8

And why? Thanks.

Hard to decide between 56 1.2 and 50-140. The bokeh is unrivaled with the 56, so you can really use that. But the 50-140 will cover more bases for you.

90 feels a bit tight for a lot of shots and you'll not want to put it on the camera every time you need it. 50-140 covers a lot of bases.

ArtByLukeBennett wrote:

I already own the 35mm F2 and the 16 - 55 F2.8 for the X-T2.

For event work, here's another vote for the 50-140/2.8.

I own the 56/1.2, 90/2, and 50-140/2.8.  It's one thing to shoot portraits of people posing for your shots; it's something else when you must quickly capture the shots you need, where you may not have time to zoom with your feet to get the framing you want.

The 50-140 is also longer than the 90; which can fill your long reach or tight framing options.

Sure you aren't going to get the super shallow DOF of the 56/1.2 or 90/2, but, it will get you the DOF you need when everyone in your image needs to be in sharp focus and you still have a good chance of getting sufficient background blur in a lot of situations.

I love primes; but, I would focus on primes after you get a second body so you have two lens at the ready.

Thank you for all the replies so far everyone. It has pretty much cemented what I thought already. I do fully intend to get a second body if and when the opportunity to make some income presents itself. And with respect to the lenses, they'll get plenty of usage regardless.

Wouldn't it be good to have something wider? What if you have to shoot groups of four, five or six people in tight quarters? Even 50mm on a crop sensor is pretty tight. You'd have to back up a lot to fit everyone in.

Vistaview wrote:

Wouldn't it be good to have something wider? What if you have to shoot groups of four, five or six people in tight quarters? Even 50mm on a crop sensor is pretty tight. You'd have to back up a lot to fit everyone in.

He already owns the 16-55 f/2.8.  It's certainly wide enough.

Right you are -- I'm missed that.

ArtByLukeBennett wrote:

I already own the 35mm F2 and the 16 - 55 F2.8 for the X-T2.

For the purposes of events work, wedding in particular, which of the following would you add to the collection, ignoring price for the moment:

56mm F1.2

90mm F2

50 - 140mm F2.8

And why? Thanks.

If you have a second camera I suggest the 90/2. Coupled with our other lenses, you're in good shape.

If you have only one camera I suggest the 50-140/2.8.

You may want to rent the 50-140/2.8 first. I found it a bit weighty and for that reason only, I will not add it to my kit.