Nikon SLR Cameras

When to use which lens for wedding photography?

crazyheart
crazyheart

So I'm shooting my first weddings this year, and I don't have the $$ to buy a better lens, so I'm going to rent a few.
I have a nikon D90 and I'll be renting a lens kit that includes AF-s 24-70mm f2.8 G IF-ED N lens and AF-s 70-200mm f2.8 G VR IF-ED lens, also the Nikon AF-s 10.5/2.8 DX Fisheye Lens.

I know the 24-70 and 70-200 are my top choices, and fish eye i will only use for certain situations, do you think I only need the 24-70 or only the 70-200? I would love to olny get one, but if I'm going to need both i will.

Thank you IN ADVANCE
p.s. I have a speedflash sb600, reflectors and such, do you suggest any other equipment.
My first wedding is the couple only, no party.

Added (1). They don't have any of the lenses you listed for rental, i want to stick to the ones i listed.

Rothschild
Rothschild

70 200

rick
rick

You need several lens for wedding,

Wide Angele Lens Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT
All in one Lens Nikon 18-200mm VR
Nikon 105mm VR Macro

This are likely the only 3 lens you would need.

Jim A
Jim A

I don't believe you need several lenses - that's a waist of money.

I do them with one lens, an 18-200.It's wide enough at the bottom but with good reach for those shots from the back of the church.

I also use two slave flashes for all the family photos in the church - the last large group I did I only used my on board flash and two slaves with this result.

This, of course, is only one of several hundred I shot that day, all with the same lens and the same lighting.

tc_an_american
tc_an_american

My input would be to have a second camera with a different lens than your primary camera. No fish eye!

Guest
Guest

My daughter shoots weddings professionally (Canon) and generally uses her 70-200 f2.8 L lens, but packs a wide angle, too. You ought to try to find out the plan for the wedding and what your location will be in the venue at different stages of the ceremony and/or reception, and see if the wedding couple wants you "right there' or off at a distance, and whether they will want a close up session where the wide angle will be useful - simply asking is a good way to set up expectations and be sure you are not missing the shoot they are thinking of.

One piece of equipment that my daughter loves as a game changer for her indoor shoots is a Fong flash diffuser to soften the light as she moves around the party, without elaborate setups. (Of course, rent or buy in time to PRACTICE with any equipment you haven't used before - don't show up to learn on the job.)

Qusi Q
Qusi Q

You should go with Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens

AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens
Designed for use with Nikon digital SLR cameras including the D40, D60, D80, D90, and D300
36-105mm effective focal length for APS-C sensor cameras
Versatile zoom range for landscapes, people photography, and everyday shooting
Minimum focus distance: 16 in.

CPV
CPV

I have been shooting weddings for 27 yrs. And have only ever had maybe 3 lenses. My husband uses a longer lens and is 100% photojournalism. The long lens (28mm-200mm) gives him the advantage of shooting from distances without people even knowing he's shooting. But he also has the option of shooting close up with the 28mm. My lens is closer; 24mm-85mm. I prefer getting close for full detail. It really is a matter of what style you choose to shoot. You can do right with any type lens you use.

George
George

The two lenses you have in mind are absolutely fine as a basic wedding setup. The fisheye is a fun lens, but you won't use it a lot and it's probably not cost-effective for you. But you will definitely need the 24 - 200 range and the f2.8 aperture to get you through a typical wedding.

Some of the others answers indicate that you could use a single wide angle to telephoto 18 to 200 or similar lens. That broad a focal range will probably be lower in overall quality, and will have an aperture of f 5.6, so you lose the f2.8 "speed" and quality you'll want in lower light situations, like inside the church where you may not be able to use flash.

Consider renting or borrowing an additional camera body, which will give you a long lens on one camera and a wide angle on the other. The second body also is a backup in case of an equipment malfunction. It does happen. Or get used to changing lenses super-fast, and anticipate which lens you'll need for the next phase of the event. You don't want to be missing important moments because you didn't have the right lens on the camera at the right moment.

I don't know where you are renting your equipment, but most places offer great weekend rates, picking up late on Thursday or Friday afternoon and returning on Monday morning, so you may get to play with the lenses for an extra day or two and shoot some interesting "personal portfolio" images.

Best of luck,
George
Certified Professional Photographer