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I am looking to start a wedding photography business and would like to understand what the best length is for the lenses.

mattdm
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Tim Mottram
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1 Answers1

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Weddings and Events in general are the time when zoom lenses shine. The Zoom is important because you want to be out of the way for the most part. The two lenses to have are 24-70 and 70-200 will cover your entire range. If you can afford it you don't want the kit grade but the pro grade. The kit grade is usually something like 3.5-5.6 meaning it will only get a 3.5 aperture at its widest focal length. A pro grade will have a constant aperture and usually larger (smaller number). Even a constant f4 is better than a variable aperture because when you're zooming in and out you can still lock in the f4 and just let the shutter speed change. An f2 of course is even better than an f4 for a few reasons all based on its ability to let in more light.

  • More light means faster autofocus which is good when shooting events.
  • More light means more depth of field options which allows a focal point to really separate from other elements.
  • More light means you can do indoor weddings easier and on a lower ISO
RyanFromGDSE
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  • "just let the shutter speed change." the same holds true for a variable aperture lens. The automatic metering mode of the camera will take that change into account and calculate the right shutter speed just the same. – null Aug 23 '16 at 13:07
  • @null that wasn't really the relevant point. When zooming in and out the f4 can stay constant. If you're on a f/3.5-f/5.6 than as soon as you zoom to a length requiring 5.6 then that's going to be your aperture even when you zoom back in. So unless you lock it at the maximum focal length's minimum aperture (5.6) you don't get a constant depth of field. – RyanFromGDSE Aug 23 '16 at 13:15
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    You won't get a constant depth of field regardless of the aperture being fixed or not because zooming means changing the focal length which in turn changes depth of field. – null Aug 23 '16 at 13:28
  • Thanks Ryan. I understand how the gear works and though 24 to 70 but had not considered the longer range suggested, but makes sense now. – Tim Mottram Aug 23 '16 at 14:52
  • More light (from a larger aperture) does not automatically mean faster autofocus, it means more consistent autofocus. – K. Minkov Aug 23 '16 at 15:10
  • The biggest advantage of constant aperture zooms is when shooting in M exposure mode - you don't have to adjust shutter speed or ISO every time you change focal length. With Auto ISO becoming more common when Tv and Av are selected manually, that is becoming less of an advantage. Most constant aperture zoom lenses also have better overall optical performance than most variable aperture lenses. – Michael C Aug 23 '16 at 19:36
  • @KamenMinkov That depends on the camera. It is possible to program an AF system to vary the sample time used for AF. For example, Canon camera use a slightly longer sample time for One Shot AF mode than for AI Servo AF mode. One of the factors that may also be included in the firmware running the AF is to vary it based on the lens' maximum aperture. – Michael C Aug 23 '16 at 19:39
  • Unless you've shot second at more than a few weddings don't even consider shooting one as the lead photographer. – Michael C Aug 23 '16 at 19:40