Lenses -help needed please

I didn't have the luxury of renting where I am at. So I had to buy (mostly second handed). I have lost some money in this process, but also have learned a lot. But you are right, rent before, if you can.

 

I would also recommend you reach out to photography clubs. Many friendly people to meet and most are happy to share what they have as well as give you any insight.

 

if primes 24 + 50 + 105/135mm (I have opted to exclude the popular 35mm because I think if you are able to buy 3 lenses, you want 1 wide, one medium and one tight lens, the 105/135 will give you better portrait compression and further reach in circumstances when needed i.e. churches.

If zooms get a 24-70 f2.8, 70-200mm f2.8, the middle lens there is plenty of zoice, you could get a ultra wide zoom but you wouldnt really need it for weddings except for very rare circumstances inwhich case just opt for a stich whether you can. Here I would get a prime which can help you out in lower light, the extra 2 shots can help you avoid high ISO and grant you shallower DOP. The 50mm 1.2/1.4 would be the choice for me or you could get a macro f2.8 lens for more close up detail shots.

 

Nice tips, but I definitely wouldn't recommend any 1.2 lenses. They are way to expensive, get only if you are making money to buy, don't go in dept when getting into photography.

 

Yes for the money they are expensive but we don't know his budget and who he caters for. For a high end wedding photographer it would be wise to opt for best of the best, in which case they are the L lenses. For the norm I agree the 1.2 is generally expensive, the 1.4 provides better value for the money, but still it should be judged by individual lenses, for some lenses it might be worth opting for the 1.2 over the 1.4 or the 1.4 over the 1.8 due to heavy usage or significant improvement over the lower tier lens.

 

Yes, you have a point. My personal experience, the 1.8 G line of lenses made by Nikon have the best cost/value benefit. But if you want a do it all lens, the classic 24-70 2.8 is the way to go.

 

Yes for the Nikon the 1.8G line is great, especially the 50mm and 85mm, they are literally 90-95% of the 1.4G versions. Canon line has 3 versions, 1.8, 1.4 and 1.2 so it gets a bit more complicated.

Haha, I have a 24-70 f2.8 myself, while its a great versatile lens, sometimes I miss the better low light performance, shallow DoF and lighter feel of prime lenses. My next purchase is a 70-200 f2.8 then it would probably be a 50mm or 85mm prime or a macro prime, will see. Who knows I may jump to Sony before I do all this. Sony is really tempting at the moment.

 

85mm 1.8G is one of the sharpest lens I have used, the sharpest lens is the 105mm 2.8G. But now I don't care for sharpness as much as I cared anymore.

 

Hehe, I can understand why. Sharpness shouldn't be the only consideration when purchasing lens, there is also flare control, bokeh quality, temperature/tint shifts, build quality, weight/feel, contrast. Besides, if the image is too sharp, you will need to do more post processing

 

Since we're discussing focal length now, I can tell you guys that when I shoot a wedding, the two lenses that I use which are attached to my two Sony cameras are a Samyang 35mm f1.4 and a Canon 85mm f1.2 USM II. They rarely come off. When they do, it's to do macro shots.

 

I think the nikon 105 1.4 is sharper.

 

Yes, but I never have tested it and it is very expensive.

 

Very expensive indeed but i think the new 50mm 1.8 zs and 85mm 1.8 z s lens are sharper according to tests done by ricci talks on youtube.

 

Sigma 35 art
Sigma 85 art
24-70 f2.8
2 full frames bodys:
Hold Fast Gear Strap
and thats enought for almost everything in a wedding

Other Stuff:
mac Pro
Photomechanic
Lightroom
Ps
Beloved posing cards
Confortable shoes

 

I would say a 70-200 f2.8 would comlement the 24-70 well especially for the ceremony.

 

I have the 85mm f/1.8 Z lens. It is amazingly sharp even wide open at 1.8. I had the 85mm f/1.4 G which wasn't sharp like this at 1.4. I would have to stop it down to 1.6 or 1.8, but I think the Z is still sharper at 1.8. I'm very happy with all of the Z lenses, 35mm f/1.8, 24-70 f/2.8, and 14-30 f/4. The 70-200 f/2.8 Z lens should be out soon. I also haven't needed to calibrate the lenses and the camera like I needed to with a DSLR.

 

I use 35mm F1.4 and 50mm F1.4