Which lens would you use for events/weddings coverage?

[Canonized]

For event photography I find that a variety of lenses is critical to give variety to the shots. For the event reported in the link below, I used two strobes and strobe master remote, 17-40 at f8 manual setting at 1/60th; Sigma 30mm f1.4 for flash free shots at wide open and food shots. I also use the 85mm f1.2 (but not in this report) for low light and portraits. Sometimes I use my 100mm macro as well for close ups where necessary and double up as portrait if necessary.

JLC Dinner 2006

I learnt the hard way that its not so much which lenses to use but the ones that you can compose the best and deliver on the event. The REAL trick is to have good flash technique and equipment. This is essential and critical. You will find multiple strobe technique will bring riches. ALSO 17-40 while useful for wide angles, is not the only lens to go if you have a huge ballroom to step backwards. ALSO you need a long reach to the stage. BUT if the dinner is to be in a restaurant - the roof is low and room is usually much smaller so a 17-40mm is CRITICAL - like in the JLC dinner above.

 

[renewification]

i did it with my kit lens! haha well i just got my dslr the day before haha.

 

[rokieto]

Hmmm... looks like you are basing your judgement based on what you read then what you have actually done...

1) If he was shooting wide (18mm which can go down to f3.5) and f5.6 he is already > one stop down. Would be sharp enough for prints. Composition and light control is better then quality of lens anyday. A kit lens can hold its own over a L lens if used properly.

2) The 580 and 20D has controlled highlights so much that you can use a direct blast and still not look too bad. A stofen will diffuse the light but also use extra juice to power. Maybe he is on double AAs?? I dunno.... if he can get the shot why not. A diffuser is not a "must have" for all situations. I ever saw people just attach diffusers but not using them properly. Worst if there are mirrors around, a diffuser would result in so much indirect light that lens flare and blurness will occur. Maybe he had FEC -1 1/3?? Many factors to consider....

3) Bouncing off ceiling will also depend on the color of the bounce surface... maybe its just not his style....

How did his pics turn out? If its bad... then its likely his technique is wrong. Rather then the equuipments....

agree, it's the skill & talent of the photographer that matter most.

 

[Hoky]

I'm surprised at the number of ppl voting for 17-40L...
It's an F/4....

 

[DT_]

I'm surprised at the number of ppl voting for 17-40L...
It's an F/4....

F4 okay mah.. i've seem 'pro' at work without mount flash and shooting happily all the way thoughout tea reception + alot of group pic using F1.++ to 2++ and the dof is a piece of ....... personally i felt comfortable with F3.5 to 5.6.. the rest that elimilate the slow speed will depend on high asa, consistent flash and some panning... and oso perharps hardware IS, my pair of good arms, software exposure, etc... on some occasion, focus pt and dof has more to be tackle the shutter...

but again back to the voting for 17-40, .. there's bout 150 votes on this poll, who (or all??) r the ones voted are actually 'pro' events photographers.. emmm... so it's probably a piece of too...

 

[Snoweagle]

F4 okay mah.. i've seem 'pro' at work without mount flash and shooting happily all the way thoughout tea reception + alot of group pic using F1.++ to 2++ and the dof is a piece of ....... personally i felt comfortable with F3.5 to 5.6.. the rest that elimilate the slow speed will depend on high asa, consistent flash and some panning... and oso perharps hardware IS, my pair of good arms, software exposure, etc... on some occasion, focus pt and dof has more to be tackle the shutter...

but again back to the voting for 17-40, .. there's bout 150 votes on this poll, who (or all??) r the ones voted are actually 'pro' events photographers.. emmm... so it's probably a piece of too...

I think 17-40 for events is a tad too wide especially if u want to get close up. For weddings yes.

 

[Canonized]

It should have asked which lens would you "prefer" to use. To which people can answer their preference instead of what they own.

However, I have used the 16-35 F2.8 before and other F2.8 lenses at event reporting and the larger fstop is no much more useful than the f4. You still need a good flash and flash technique. Also at the f2.8 you have thinner dof which is NOT desired at event reporting especially for wide angles which the essence of which is that you are trying to capture the room or the environment/atmosphere.

Further groups shots - anything wider than f4 is guranteed to have several people blurred (esp in groups of larger than 4 - unless they all stand in one line!).

BTW - I wish people will stop say - "I saw pros doing this or that". Many so called pros are paid to do the work but many of them are what we amatuers will not pay good money for.

I recently attended two very different events where the "Pros" were hired. One used the built in flash only on his 17-40 (I leave that to your imagination as to the quality of his work) and the other who wore a CANON vest with words EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER on his back using a Canon body with a canon speedlite but with a 18-50mm kit lens and he had no clue how to set his camera for the indoor shots.

I suspect many "PROs" are underpricing to get the work but in reality they have no experience as well as the right equipment for the job. Make life very hard for the real pros who can deliver the goods in this PRICE oriented environment here.

I plan to carry a small P&S from now on to photograph these so called Pros to share with Clubsnap to show them as what they really are. Maybe if all clubsnappers do this, we can rid some of the hairbrained pros from our existence.

 

[Hoky]

Great... so you going to discard your DSLR and lenses for a P&S??
I can trade you with my Ixus 400... :bsmilie:

 

[DT_]

I think 17-40 for events is a tad too wide especially if u want to get close up. For weddings yes.

if it's for film or full frame camera.. yes seem too wide..

but if for 10, 20, 30D it's almost just nice (actually i like it wider) thought some might prefer further zoom.. anyway.. can never get wide angle without a wide lens.. but for close-up can always crop, for 8mp resolution and crop off 70% still good enough to product a decent 4R...

 

[dragos]

It should have asked which lens would you "prefer" to use. To which people can answer their preference instead of what they own.

However, I have used the 16-35 F2.8 before and other F2.8 lenses at event reporting and the larger fstop is no much more useful than the f4. You still need a good flash and flash technique. Also at the f2.8 you have thinner dof which is NOT desired at event reporting especially for wide angles which the essence of which is that you are trying to capture the room or the environment/atmosphere.

Further groups shots - anything wider than f4 is guranteed to have several people blurred (esp in groups of larger than 4 - unless they all stand in one line!).

BTW - I wish people will stop say - "I saw pros doing this or that". Many so called pros are paid to do the work but many of them are what we amatuers will not pay good money for.

I recently attended two very different events where the "Pros" were hired. One used the built in flash only on his 17-40 (I leave that to your imagination as to the quality of his work) and the other who wore a CANON vest with words EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER on his back using a Canon body with a canon speedlite but with a 18-50mm kit lens and he had no clue how to set his camera for the indoor shots.

I suspect many "PROs" are underpricing to get the work but in reality they have no experience as well as the right equipment for the job. Make life very hard for the real pros who can deliver the goods in this PRICE oriented environment here.

I plan to carry a small P&S from now on to photograph these so called Pros to share with Clubsnap to show them as what they really are. Maybe if all clubsnappers do this, we can rid some of the hairbrained pros from our existence.

personally, i prefer the 17-40 too...find the f4 and above quite useful in a lot of cases.

 

[imouyang]

I'm surprised at the number of ppl voting for 17-40L...
It's an F/4....

Me too... I would believe that the extra stop do give you more options and the image quality bet the f2.8 and her f4 cousin would not vary very much (both are L after all..)

Perhaps i am baised cuz i own the 2.8...:dunno:

 

[Snoweagle]

if it's for film or full frame camera.. yes seem too wide..

but if for 10, 20, 30D it's almost just nice (actually i like it wider) thought some might prefer further zoom.. anyway.. can never get wide angle without a wide lens.. but for close-up can always crop, for 8mp resolution and crop off 70% still good enough to product a decent 4R...

I'm using it with my 10D, still a bit too wide for events.

 

[DT_]

I'm using it with my 10D, still a bit too wide for events.

sometimes it's a matter of individual preference... when using 1.6 crop bodies, i find that 17-20mm is about just nice for group table shots..

 

[Snoweagle]

sometimes it's a matter of individual preference... when using 1.6 crop bodies, i find that 17-20mm is about just nice for group table shots..

Group shots of cos. But if u're standing some distance away and want to get close up shots, then it's not possible.