Need Help With Wedding Lenses - Opinions From Users Please

[Chris M.]

Hello all,

I'm making a sizable investment in my wedding photography business. Now it's time for lenses for my S2. I was a die hard 35mm shooter, and normally this would not be an issue. I know exactly what lenses I'd put on my F100s. I'm just not sure what makes sense on the S2 given all the variables (AF accuracy, image sharpness on some lenses vs. others, etc). I also have a second S2 to purchase and some lighting equipment.

I have a 50mm f1.8 (simply outstanding on the S2), Tamron 24-135mm, Sigma 70-210 EX HSM APO (works great, very sharp), and the 85mm f1.8D. I'd like to buy faster zoom lenses, and maybe something a little wider.

Here are my choices:
1. Nikon 18-35mm f3.5-4.5D and 24-120mm AFS VR
3. Nikon 17-35mm AFS D
4. Nikon 28-70mm f2.8 AFS

If you had $1500 to spend, which would you choose? I typically shoot anything from tight head and shoulders portraits to groups of 15-20. I'd love the 28-70, but given the 1.5X crop factor, it seems like that might be a bit limiting to have a 39mm at the wide end. I'm also not adverse to selling my remaining Tamron 24-135mm and Nikon 85mm to up the total available for new lenses by about $550 (to $2050).

What do you think? Again, it' not necessarily the focal range issue, I've got to take into account the mechanical perfromance of the lens on the S2 as well.

[JetEye]

Since nobody is replying...
I am not a pro but I love taking pictures...

I have 24-120mm AFS VR and Nikon 28-70mm f2.8 AFS lense.

24-120 is on my body most of the time. I use this lense as my everyday lense but I don't use this on wedding.

28-70 is wonderful!!! I just love this lense. great DOF, fast, but bit heavy...

[ballroom_boy]

As a wedding photographer, I like fast f/2.8 glass for available light shots. The AF-S 28-70 is a wonderful lens and I suspect you would use it a lot.

As for the 18-35 ... it is excellent too, but you need to stop it down to about f/8 for it to perform optimally (I used to own one). For nature shots, that is fine, for weddings, well, I don't think it would work so well.

I've tried the AF-S 17-35 and it is excellent. When I save more $$$, I will get it (I have the excellent AF-S 12-24 DX, but it is f/4 and for ultra wide shots).

So, if you want only Nikon glass, get the AF-S 28-70 and if you can afford it, sell the rest and get the AF-S 17-35.

Another option: the Nikon 35-70 f/2.8 - a Nikon legend. Not quite the same range, doesn't have AF-S, and is a push/pull zoom, but it is a wedding photographers favourite. Sharp, contrasty, etc, etc. And it is much more affordable than the AF-S 28-70. You can buy used ones in MINT condition for $400. You could easily get that and the 17-35. That would be a nice combo.

One other option: Tamron has a 28-75 f/2.8 lens that has been getting very good reviews. This lens in only $320 at B&H and only a fraction of the cost of the Nikon AF-S 28-70. You many want to check it out too...

Hope I haven't confused you...

p.s. I sometimes use my AF-S 24-85 at weddings... not f/2.8, but a great lens for the price and very sharp!

[Wichita Wayne]

The are fast and should be tack sharp. There is not a zoom lens made that will produce pictures as well as these two lenses, and you will not get a 1.8 zoom lens.

[S_Leeper]

While I agree that many primes are fast & sharp, so are many of the quality zooms mentioned above.
One thing to also consider when doing a wedding is that when changing lenses you run the risk of a larger dust speck getting in on the sensor--only happens rarely (only twice in the last year for me--both outside) & usually such specks will easily blow off, but you might not notice until after... which could really be a negative thing.

[apsphotography]

I agree dust can be a problem,

i use two bodies with different focal lenght lenses on them, so never needing to change, hence no dust.

lens are

18-35 and 28-70

[Chris M.]

Has anyone used this lens for weddings? I'd like to hear your conclusions as well.

So far I'm leaning toward the 17-35 and 28-70, one on each body. The 50mm would come in handy for extreme enlargements.


Thanks to all who have replied so far - very helpful!

[Igor]

Chris,
I was shooting some kids parties recently (maybe similar to weddings? :) ), had two lenses with me 24-120 VR and 70-200 VR.
First party was shot with both, but after reviewing the images, I shoot the rest with 70-200 almost exclusively. The image quality is significantly better. I assume the 28-70 would produce similar results. I'd go for 28-70 and 18-35 (better 17-35).

HTH

[Sneakyracer]

Originally posted by Chris M.
Has anyone used this lens for weddings? I'd like to hear your conclusions as well.

So far I'm leaning toward the 17-35 and 28-70, one on each body. The 50mm would come in handy for extreme enlargements.


Thanks to all who have replied so far - very helpful!

I have the 24-120mm vr and also the 18-35mm nikon + a sigma 24-70mm f2.8

I shot a wedding a few weeks before i got my 24-120mm ao used the sigma 24-70mm 2.8 instead but i would have used the 24-120mm if i had had it. i love the lens, it produces quality results and the vr is handy. although for shooting people the 2.8 speed is better so one can use a higher shutter speed and stop movement since most people dont stay still!


Of course, the best lens for weddings is the Nikon 28-70 AFS. If you cant afford it either get the sigma or the 24-120mm VR AFS. The AFS focuses faster and more accurate than the sigma, its quite evident, but the sigma has the faster f stop than the vr lens. Cant get it all but in the expensive 28-70mm f2.8 nikon (except vr). Its worth it i guess since the nikon 28-70 2.8 is a top notch lens so it doesnt become an issue you will have the potential to make the best images with your fuji.

Really, for pro work the 28-70mm f2.8 and the 80-200mm 2.8 are must haves. I have purchased 3 lenses just to avoid spending 1500 on the 28-70 afs. Of those lenses i would sell them all and keep just the 24-120mm vr to get the afs nikon 28-70. the nikon 28-70mm AFS is the best midrange zoom lens made period. as good as nikons best prime lenses.

In the wide angle work one can get good results with a 20mm f2.8 or the 18-35mm 3.5-4.5 since they focust more than fast enough for wide angle work and are pretty sharp. Its not really necesary to get the expensive 17-35mm. I have used it side by side with the 2 other lenses. instead of the $1500 17-35mm lens i would get the 12-24mm

[Chris M.]

Sneakyracer - I guess I have a hard time visualizing how the 28-70mm f2.8 AFS is going to be on my S2. Do you have a hard time getting shots of groups with this lens? 42mm at the wide end seems a little restrictive. I'm still using bracket mounted SB-80DX flash units, so sometimes backing up isn't an option with the limited range of this flash and the light fall off at the edges of the frame.

I could see the focal range being great for almost everything else.

I should add that I'm also really tired of slow focusing AF lenses. I usually focus manually, but when I need the AF, I really need it! Thats why I was considering the AFS lenses.

[smunky]

The 28-70 AFS focuses before you even tell it to, i swear.
Hah
This is a great lens, i cant recommend it enough. See some of my examples in the Color topic.
I use this at weddings as well as the 60mm Micro lens. Its sharp, fast, bright and quiet. What more could you want?
I really love this lens.