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-   -   What lenses are you using throughout the wedding? (https://www.dvinfo.net/forum/wedding-event-videography-techniques/530197-what-lenses-you-using-throughout-wedding.html)

Jeff Cook October 30th, 2015 09:35 AM

What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
I havent't searched it and haven't really seen anyone talk about it so I am bringing it up. Maybe I just have missed the conversations about lenses and application. It's funny how you learn new things about your gear or situations each time you go out and shoot. This is my setup for the day, I would like to hear what you use as well.
Canon C100 with Tamron 24-75mm 2.8 for preps
Tamron 70-200 for ceremony
Rokinon 85mm for speeches and first dance
I have been using the Tamron 24-75mm for cake cutting, but lately I have found that some of the weddings are so dark that I would prefer to use the 85mm 1.5 for that really clean look

6d Ceremony Tamon 70-200
Reception Rokinon 50mm 1.5
Glidecam has the Canon 20mm with the 6d. During the dances I usually get a few glidecam shots and then place the glidcam under or close to my tripod while rolling so I can get a lower angle shot in case I need that extra shot.

I have been spoiled using the Rokinon lenses so much that when shooting with a 2.8 lens I feel that it could look better with a 1.5 lens. I use lights, however the Rokinon gives such as clean look that I am really thinking about just using it over the zoom lenses I have during the reception. Yes the zoom is very handy, but when it comes to editng the final video you look at the image shot with the 2.8 lens and say I could have done better. Maybe I am a perfectionsist and I am always looking to improve my game, but one thing is for sure...you get a lot more with a 1.5 lens than a 2.8.

Steve Burkett October 30th, 2015 10:12 AM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
I'm using micro 4/3s, so my setup is:

Bridal Preps:
12-35mm 2.8 for slider and establishing shots.
Panasonic 25mm 1.4 & 42.5mm 1.2 for beauty shots

Ceremony:
Either 12-35 or 35-100 for main camera, or 42.5 if its a dark room.
Olympus 12mm 2.0 for camera 2
Panasonic 14mm 2.5 for camera 3
Either the 25mm or Olympus 45mm 1.8 for camera 4

Reception:
12-35 on gimbal, slider, jib and for general wide shots. The 42.5 and Olympus 75mm 1.8 for beauty shots of the guests.

Speeches:
Same as Ceremony

1st Dance:
As Speeches and Ceremony, except camera 4 has a slr magic 12mm 1.6 lens and my main camera has either the 25 or 42.5.

Evening Reception:
Olympus 12mm, Voigtlander 17.5mm 0.95, 25mm and 42.5mm. I never use the zoom; that's retired to my bag before the 1st dance or even earlier if its a darker venue.

Winter, my zooms get even less use. One big advantage with the 4/3 lenses is they're smaller and I can have 3 other primes in my side bag. So if I need to change the angle, I can do so quite quickly.

Robert Benda October 30th, 2015 10:17 AM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
Hey, Jeff. You and I have talked about this before, but...

Prep
Canon 70D (super easy tracking focus) with the 18-135mm STM lens (cheap junk, but makes keeping focus a zero problem). For pretty shots, I have a Sigma 17-70mm macro f/2.8-4, or the 5d Mark ii with one of my primes on it.

Ceremony
Aisle: 5d Mark ii with 35mm, 50mm, or 85mm prime.
Balcony: Go Pro Hero4 Black
Up front, on either side aisle: Canon 70D with the 18-135mm for most of the ceremony, then the 55-250mm STM for vows.

Reception:
We stick with primes. I have a 14mm (rarely), 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 135mm.

I don't have a glidecam or anything for the dancing. I put the 5d Mark ii, 35mm f/2 on a tripod with the legs short. The weight helps smooth out my movement.

Arthur Gannis October 30th, 2015 03:38 PM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
I use only 1 lens. The one that is permanently stuck on the Sony RX10. Constant 2.8 and a 8 to 1 zoom. And if I really want to get wide and fancy, I just screw in a fisheye adapter that I always keep in the camera bag. Sweet and simple.

Steve Bleasdale October 30th, 2015 04:19 PM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
Prep canon 70d 17-55mm 2.8 and canon 6d tamron 24-70mm 2.8, slider, mono pod. Arrivals 6d tamron 24-70mm 2.8, also another 6d with sigam 70-200 2.8.
Ceremony, safety camcorder small at the back and next to me at the front, then 70d for facial track bride isle shot, and then the ceremony, from half way up isle or back or side, canon 6d 70-200, camcorder on shoulder for safety and back up in case.
Exit mingling two 6d one with 70-200 and other 24-70 tamron
Reception 70d on hd4000 glide cam, 70-200 second cam.
speeches 70d two 6d and one safety camcorder.
First dance two 6d one close/tight, one wide at 24mm end, 70d on the glide, camcorder wide as safety net.
Two mono pods, two sliders one large one short, two tripods, one glide cam, one Dj Phantom advance quad

Chris Harding October 30th, 2015 05:54 PM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
Hi Arthur

I was on a barrage of lenses up until August this year. Either the lens you need is over on the other side of the venue or you have to walk around with fanny packs strapped to your waist so you have access to them all! Nowdays it's so easy .. Just one 25mm - 400mm attached permanently to the camera ...dunno why I put up with all the multiple lens nonsense for so long. Maybe it's a status thing "Look at all my lenses..I must be a pro" .. I'm over that now and still get the shots I want!!

Arthur Gannis October 30th, 2015 09:48 PM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
Chris, way back when i was doing photography I used a medium format camera with only 3 lenses. There was no zoom available for it. A moderate wide, a normal and a short tele. That was it. The equivalent to a 3:1 zoom ratio. Even before that I has to manage just with a normal lens before I saved enough clams to buy the other 2. If I wanted a close-up I marched closer to the subject likewise a wider shot meant backing up to a wall or into a closet. That 80mm normal lens worked me up a lot. Today, I see no need for extra lenses other that a good fast zoom. In one zoom lens I can say I have a 24, 28,35,50,85,135, and a 200mm. All with 2.8 aperture. Now having a zoom that covers that range ,and many of them do, will save a lot of footwork and clicking on lenses as well as extra weight to lug around. OK I know that it ain't a F1.2 or a F.95 of that almighty bokeh calls for but must we spend all that extra money carrying those clunky fast primes, schlepping all that weight just for the bokeh? I dunno, I get nice bokeh when I am at F2.8 and zoomed in a bit. Today we are spoiled with all that available gear just enticing us to spend that hard earned money we made using perhaps gear that was not really necessary to begin with. Nah, we don't just wanna use one lens on a tiny camera, we love weight and slaving ourselves to schlep it along. After all we are pros and pros must show gear, and lots of it..right?

Alec Moreno October 30th, 2015 09:52 PM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
On a full frame camera body...

Canon 24-70/2.8
-This is the lens I use the most throughout the day.
-On a tripod, monopod, slider, or steadicam
-For steadicam, I have it zoomed in anywhere from 24mm to 70mm

Canon 70-200/2.8
-Ceremony, cocktails, romantics
-On a tripod

Canon 50/1.8
-Walking around tables at reception, dancing
-On a monopod

Tokina 11-16/2.8
-Details, dancing
-On a steadicam or slider
-On a full frame body, I have to keep this lens zoomed in to 16mm.

Chris Harding October 30th, 2015 10:38 PM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
Hey Arthur

I guess we are old school and used to video cameras? When I was using my Sony cameras with Nikon lenses I still only used a 18-70mm F2.8 for the main camera and an 18-35mm F1.8 on the B-Cam cos I never wanted to schlep around lenses. I still do stills with my two Nikons and have a case full of lenses which really is a pain in the butt to take from location to location so even on stills now I will only use a 10-24mm zoom for the big group photo and then once the bigger formals are done, I change to the 18-70 and it stays on for the rest of the day!

I still cannot figure out why people are using lenses like the 70 - 200 at wedding ceremonies ..sheesh, where are you guys standing ..about 100' away from the couple or the Churches and Venues must be REALLY big! At receptions I'm full wide 99% of the time which is 25mm for full frame ...Using an 85mm prime for the first dance?? Yikes you must either be quite far away and just have the couples faces in the shot .. I tried a 50mm Sony lens on my APSC cameras a long time back and I found I had to be totally away from the dance floor to even get a shot that included just a couple never mind a group!

Arthur Gannis October 31st, 2015 12:01 AM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
90% of my shots throughout the entire day are done with the zoom between wide to normal. This causes the least shaking handheld and when I need close-ups I rarely go beyond 2X from normal. I don't think I ever shot near the far end of the zoom.

Steve Burkett October 31st, 2015 12:54 AM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Harding (Post 1901778)
Maybe it's a status thing "Look at all my lenses..I must be a pro" .. I'm over that now and still get the shots I want!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthur Gannis (Post 1901782)
After all we are pros and pros must show gear, and lots of it..right?

When you two have finished hijacking this thread with a bitch and moan on those professionals who prefer to use professional lenses rather than a jack of all trades, master of none, perhaps you'd like to spare a thought that using primes isn't a status thing or to prove we're pros. The fact I use primes impresses no one except maybe the odd video professional I may encounter. Most don't give a tuppeny toss what gear I use. Sure my slider, gimbal and jib may get the odd remark, but frankly I find such comments more annoying than satisfying.

I think you Chris mentioned how you disliked the colour from Sony cameras, is it that much of a stretch to imagine that some of us equally dislike the image a zoom can give under certain conditions. Your full of praise for the fz1000s image compared to your previous camera, and its better handling in low light, so clearly image quality does matter to you as it does to others. You've just sacrificed some for the sake of convenience of using 1 camera and lens.

Ultimately I enjoy working with my primes as you both enjoy working with your respective cameras. I like the image I get from my gear, which is the only reason I use it, and the footage is far superior to anything a zoom could produce. You two prefer simplicity and convenience, nothing wrong with that. Just accept that others have different needs and expectations and are willing to accept the extra gear it requires.

And my 35-100 is equal to 70-200 and its use doesn't mean I'm 100' away, just getting MCU of the couple and Guests during the Ceremony and Speeches. On both I prefer to keep a respective distance and not stand say next to the head table for instance. If you film with 1 camera, I can understand a need to keep it wide and safe, but when you film with multiple cameras, you have more options to add variety to your shots. If I use an extreme end of the zoom for instance, it could be to show a close up of the ring being placed on.

Noa Put October 31st, 2015 01:50 AM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
I have narrowed my lens choices down to a 12mm f2.0 which permanently sits on my gh3/steadicam, a 42,5mm f1.7 which is stabilized and a 25mm f1.4 for my gh4. The reason for those primes is mainly low light performance and creative shots. For all the rest (mainly for run and gun, ease of use or as set it and forget it kind of camera's I use fixed lens cameras like a rx10, a ax100 or a cx730.

Phil Stanley October 31st, 2015 03:50 AM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
For the G7 I have a Panny 25/1.4 and Panny 28 2.5

For the A7R MKII I have 24/70 and 70/200 F4's

For slowmmo I love the RX10 II

For run and gun my choice is the AX100 every time

Nigel Barker October 31st, 2015 03:57 AM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Cook (Post 1901749)
Canon C100 with Tamron 24-75mm 2.8 for preps

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Cook (Post 1901749)
I have been spoiled using the Rokinon lenses so much that when shooting with a 2.8 lens I feel that it could look better with a 1.5 lens. I use lights, however the Rokinon gives such as clean look that I am really thinking about just using it over the zoom lenses I have during the reception. Yes the zoom is very handy, but when it comes to editng the final video you look at the image shot with the 2.8 lens and say I could have done better. Maybe I am a perfectionsist and I am always looking to improve my game, but one thing is for sure...you get a lot more with a 1.5 lens than a 2.8.

Jeff, have you considered that it might be because it's a Tamron lens that you are unhappy with the image? Most people would prefer the Canon 17-55mm F/2.8 IS on an APS-C sensor. The Tamron is not very wide as it's going to be the full frame equivalent of a 36mm on the C100 & although the build of the Canon lens is a bit plasticky the image quality is pin sharp & as good as any 'L' lens.

David Barnett October 31st, 2015 09:16 AM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Cook (Post 1901749)
Canon C100 with Tamron 24-75mm 2.8 for preps
Tamron 70-200 for ceremony
Rokinon 85mm for speeches and first dance
I have been using the Tamron 24-75mm for cake cutting, but lately I have found that some of the weddings are so dark that I would prefer to use the 85mm 1.5 for that really clean look

Wouldn't an 85mm be and pretty extreme zoom for speeches & especially 1st dance?

I have a Sony VG 900 as my B camera, which is a decent entryway for me into the world of DSLR/Interchangeable lenses. Although I wish I had read this thread before checking out some lenses lol. As to what Chris Harding asked, I can't imagine using a 25mm(??) for the ceremony?! I've had very few small venues where that would work? Let alone Catholic Churches (which in the US tend to be about the size of a basketball or hockey rink floor), and I'm skuttled down about 30 to 50 feet down the aisle, even hotel & other venues I'd need 50mm at least.

Anyway, soon enough I found 50mm wasn't close to enough, and with a few outdoor weddings I didn't have to worry much about gain/ISO and being a B cam I too bought a 70-200, f/4, slow, esp when zoomed in up higher f stop, but it serves it's purpose and again good for summer/outdoor weddings. Others include in order I purchased them:

50mm Sony 1.8(APS-C, it was cheap)
Sammyang 14mm Fisheye (Cheap, admittedly not sure I need it)
Helios 58mm f2 (cool Russian lens I read about. Only $50 bucks, gives great DOF although it sorta duplicates the 50mm with no autofocus. No reason to resell it tho).

Ultimately I feel I worked my way around in a circle, and I should have started with just a 35mm (Sigma?), for reception/dancing, and the zoom for big churches. Learning experience, and I can grow into DSLR or similar in a year or two. My main camera is still a Z5U fwiw.

Robert Benda October 31st, 2015 02:42 PM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
2 Attachment(s)
Quote:

Originally Posted by David Barnett (Post 1901806)
Wouldn't an 85mm be and pretty extreme zoom for speeches & especially 1st dance?

Depends on the room and the camera.

For instance, some large ballrooms I've even put a 135mm f/2.8 on our full frame because the best open space to capture the head table was pretty far back.

As for first dance, we often use a mix, and I like one of the cameras to have a decent medium tight, or tight shot.

As for decrying the number of lenses... for us, its much cheaper to use a combination of lenses across 3 cameras. We have our primes in one bag, mostly for the reception. They rarely come out for the prep and ceremony, where each of our 3 cameras has its 2 lenses with it, same as extra batteries and cards. Once we go over to the reception, where its too dark for most of our zooms (STM lenses are cheap, even if they are super useful with the 70D), so we leave those in the car and just bring what we can use, 4, maybe 5 lens choices.

Daniel Latimer October 31st, 2015 02:46 PM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
Prep I use a rokinon 50mm and the 85 or 135 for some tight shots.

Ceremony: I use 70-200 2.8 and a combo of 85, 135 and 50mm depending on the room setup.

Reception: Ronin has 24mm for whenever. I use an 85 for the people actually giving the toast and 70-200 for reaction shots. For dancing I use the 70-200, 135 or 85 unless I'm flying with the Ronin.

Rickey Brillantes October 31st, 2015 05:42 PM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
The use of lens for wedding varies from the size of the room but here is a typical lens set up I always use.

For prep I use the Sigma Art 18-35 1.7 lens.

For ceremony I use 3 cameras, Sigma 50-150 2.8 on the side with a 18-35 1.7 on standby just in case I need to switch on a wider shot, For the back I use the 17-50 2.8 wide shot, And finally I use the EOS M with 22mm lens on a mini tripod just sitting anywhere on the altar facing towards the audience.

The reception the 18-35 1.7 for wide shot and 50mm 1.4 or 85mm 1.4 for close up will do the job for me.

_____________

iClickFilms.com

Pete Cofrancesco November 1st, 2015 08:48 AM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
I shoot either solo or with one other camera man so I don't have the luxury of playing around much.

Even though I have primes I don't find I ever use them. I leave *17-55mm F/2.8 on my 70d the entire day attached to a mono pod. Its light, auto focus, image stabilization and the flexibility to get most of what I need.

If I was going to add a lens it would be the 70-200mm for ceremony and reception closeups. But I don't want to carry it around and buy another camera for dedicated use. I've contemplated getting the 24-70mm but it's expensive to only get an extra 15mm and to lose the wide range.

I'm not a fan of trying to swap primes during fast moving events. The risk of missing a key shot, scratching the rear element, or getting dust on your sensor is just not worth it.

I value the angles of views a zoom provides and the convenience. It frees up me to concentrate on the non technical things observing and capturing the special moments.

Steve Burkett November 1st, 2015 09:01 AM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Cofrancesco (Post 1901860)
I'm not a fan of trying to swap primes during fast moving events. The risk of missing a key shot, scratching the rear element, or getting dust on your sensor is just not worth it.

I shoot solo and yet regularly use primes as my earlier post testifies. I'm not sure how things are with your Weddings, but there are plenty of moments in the day for me that aren't fast moving. Bridal Preps, guests having drinks and canapés, dancing footage. I swap lenses constantly and only need to properly clean my sensor now and then. My camera has its own sensor clean function that I regularly use, along with a blower. Swapping lenses takes no more than 10 seconds for me. I've never yet missed a moment due to a lens change and the benefits are well worth it.

Noa Put November 1st, 2015 09:24 AM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
I find that even at slow moments, like a brideprep, unexpected things do happen that are worth shooting and when I would have my 42,5mm attached to my gh4 I would loose that moment, that's why I always have a second camera, the rx10, attached to my belt with a quickrelease plate. I might miss the first few seconds but it's a lot quicker then having to switch lenses. To be honest though I would prefer to use just one lens, like a 12-35mm the entire day and shoot handheld, there are so often moments where you have to act in a split second to get that one shot that will blow away any other slider, steadicam or crane shot.

Steve Burkett November 1st, 2015 09:47 AM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
I'm pretty careful with my gear distribution during the day. My 12-35 is used a great deal on a monopod. If I feel the Reception is a lively one then it stays on and I keep it simple, but when you have an hour of a small group of guests just drinking their drink and helping themselves to canapés, then its worth the risk of missing that special moment when a guest decides to take 2 canapés instead of 1. In which point I'll curse my use of the 75mm. :) Failing that I've captured plenty of great moments, and still used a wide variety of gear. Weddings are full of potential moments to film, I could miss one just by being in another room. I've filmed plenty of lively Weddings with hectic schedules. I know when to keep my better gear at bay.

Robert Benda November 1st, 2015 10:05 AM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Cofrancesco (Post 1901860)
I'm not a fan of trying to swap primes during fast moving events. The risk of missing a key shot, scratching the rear element, or getting dust on your sensor is just not worth it.

I use both zooms and primes. The primes are great for the lower light reception. I'm not swapping them, though since I'm using 3 cameras. One prime for each. Earlier in the day I stick with one zoom on each camera until its time for the vows, when I switch to a longer lens.

sticking with something like a 17-55mm would mean having to be unacceptably close to the bride and groom during the ceremony to get the shots I want, though I do use something similar during prep and processional.

Clive McLaughlin November 2nd, 2015 07:32 AM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
It all depends really - I'm in a bit of transition. I'll take about past season first, then what I'm moving towards next season.

All day on steadycam is my a6000 with the Sony 16mm f2.8 (24mm effectively) - I use autofocus on this lens.

I then transfer this lens onto my A7s and swap that onto my gimbal for first dance. A7s is put into crop mode for this.

The rest of the day I use my Tamron 24-70 2.8 VC. I really enjoy having the flexibility of a zoom, but in recent tests I've come to discover it is significantly softer at all apertures than any prime I have.

Also used is my Canon 35mm f2 IS. I've had some weddings where i've hardly used it, and some weddings where I've hardly used the Tamron. It probably comes down to my feelings about the wedding. If it's a stunning wedding and everything is eyecatching, I'd probably be more inclined to up my game and effort and force myself to work within the 35mm of my prime.

you will notice both these lenses are stabilised - I shoot a lot of handheld.

I also have a Canon 17-40mm L in my bag which occasionally gets used on a slider.

I honestly believe that nobody needs to be shooting wider than 2.8 for weddings. Maybe f2 at a push in special circumstances. But personally, I've progressed to the point where I see video at f1.4 and it just annoys me. It's just too much....


Now - next season. I've got in built stabilisation with my A7sii. I've had some bad issues with ND filters last season. I'm annoyed with the lack of fast FE lenses (and the price). I'm fed up with the poor electronic performance on my Metabones adaptor.

So..... I'm going full manual with a Fotodiox nd throttle adaptor. I've just purchased three old manual prime lenses (35mm, 85mm and 135mm) for a total of £225. and the adaptor at £99.

My A7s is now going on the gimbal, with a new Sony FE 28mm f2 (which I may buy the wide angle adaptor for making it 21mm) - again - autofocus.

Including the a7sii, I've spent approx £2750.

I'm looking to sell my a6000 with a sony 16-50mm kit lens, a 16mm f2.8 emount lens, my Canon 35mm f2 IS, Canon 17-40mm f4 L, Tamron 24-70mm f2.8, Metabones EOS - NEX Mark IV and probably both my Sony CX730s.

Noa Put November 2nd, 2015 07:45 AM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
Quote:

I've progressed to the point where I see video at f1.4 and it just annoys me. It's just too much....
Unless you shoot with m4/3 camera's :) As I understood f1.4 looks somewhat the same as f2.8 on full frame when it comes to shallow dof. I consider this an advantage with m4/3 camera's as like you said f1.4 on a full frame camera can give a very narrow dof which in some cases can be a nice effect but not something you would be shooting constantly in, on m4/3 otoh it's perfectly usable throughout the entire evening and a way to shoot at a lower gain setting or to get the max light gathering which is something you need with m4/3 camera's.

Ian Atkins November 2nd, 2015 08:58 AM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
Like Noa, I shoot m4/3 (GH4), but I will list the 35mm equivalent to keep it simple:

Intro/Prep Shots:
35mm, and 85mm
I use these lenses across 2 different cameras to save swapping them back and forth.
Steadicam: 35mm

Ceremony:
Cam A: 70-200 (center back)
Cam B: 24-70 (wide safe angle)
Cam C: 150 mm prime (for processional, details)
Steadicam: 35mm

Reception:
Cam A: 35mm
Cam B: 24 mm (safe angle wide on dance floor)
Steadicam: 35mm

In my bag, I also have a 14-28 that I rarely use.
I also had a 50mm that I used so infrequently, I decided to sell it.

I think the only other lens I would like would be a slightly longer zoom lens that covers at least up to
200mm, but those are rare to find in the f/2.8 range for m4/3 line and anything darker than 2.8 is basically
not usable for interior ceremonies.

Steve Burkett November 2nd, 2015 09:03 AM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
The only time I get that dreamy background I associate with fullframe on my micro 4/3's is if I'm using my 42.5 pretty close to the subject or with my 75mm. Its a nice look for certain shots, but I limit its use to a few shots for nice effect.

I kind of wish I could be in position sometimes to not need to go lower than 2.8 but dark rooms aren't so forgiving. I have tried, especially since pairing my 2.8 12-35mm with my stabiliser, but had to scrap the footage as it matched poorly with my other cameras on primes.

Jeff Cook November 2nd, 2015 05:25 PM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
The Tamron does a great job. I think I have been spoiled by the ability of primes getting better video in low light situations. 2.8 just does not cut it for me when it there is not much light...(even when I have 2 lights going). There have been several times when I have been able to get great shots in low light with my primes. When editing I look at those same shots and can notice the difference. My clients don't care what I have, it is more or less what I feel I can accomplish with my abilities and with what gear I own. If I can get a better picture with a prime I should probably do so. I just recently purchased the Tamron and was trying it out. It does a great job, but when I was looking at my wife's camera with the 35mm 1.4 and then looking at mine with the 2.8 Tarmon it really opened up my eyes on how really great the primes are in low light. It is great to hear about all your gear and how you use it for certain parts of the wedding day, thanks for sharing.

Arthur Gannis November 3rd, 2015 01:03 PM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
Fast primes are excellent in low light but now with many cameras that have the BSI sensor technology in them, the iso is upped at least a couple of stops from the non BSI for the almost same grain structure as the new Sony A7 series refer to. A 2.8 zoom lens can be considered as a like a 1.4 in low light situations with the same iso. That would save a heck of a lot of money from buying primes just for their light gathering ability. But then there are many that need the fast primes for their shallow DOF. I recently borrowed a Sony A7s( the older model) and fitted a "slow" SMC Takumar 28mm F3.5 in a very dimly lit restaurant just to see what iso 50K would look like. It was an eye opener to be able to shoot 60P @ F4 without any trace of grain, at least not to my eyes. And this camera did not even have the BSI sensor. The Sony RX10 I use will be replaced by the RX10II that will have the BSI. There will always be a need for super fast primes ( lightness and DOF) but I believe many will opt for the newer generation of low light cameras and a full range zoom. Even if a zoom is F4 max aperture, it surely will be more compact and light as compared with a 2.8.

Steve Burkett November 3rd, 2015 01:41 PM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthur Gannis (Post 1901979)
Fast primes are excellent in low light but now with many cameras that have the BSI sensor technology in them, the iso is upped at least a couple of stops from the non BSI for the almost same grain structure as the new Sony A7 series refer to. A 2.8 zoom lens can be considered as a like a 1.4 in low light situations with the same iso.

Not quite true, BSI from what I've heard is more half a stop for smaller sensors, but this can reduce to a 1/4 once you get to APC-S size sensors. The larger the sensor, the lower the benefits. It certainly allows 1" sensors to compete with slightly larger sensor cameras, but only in giving similar noise levels at respective apertures. The Sony A7s is truly a lowlight king, but not one free from issues, a fate shared by its successor I hear.

The thing with low light performance is that when one camera system improves, the other follow suits and raises the bar higher. My GH4 shoots lower noise levels than some older Canon cameras, but is still declared a poor low light camera as Canon have since improved their own line up. So whilst BSI does make a difference, it'll be a long time before it can shoot a candle lit room at F4.

That said, I'd welcome the day when my primes become just a creative choice rather than as a low light choice as well.

Noa Put November 3rd, 2015 02:01 PM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
From what I have seen the sony rx10II is certainly not a few stops better in low light compared to the mark1 because it has a bsi sensor, it in fact shows similar performance from what owners of both versions have shared so far.

Pete Cofrancesco November 3rd, 2015 09:30 PM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Benda (Post 1901874)
I use both zooms and primes. The primes are great for the lower light reception. I'm not swapping them, though since I'm using 3 cameras. One prime for each. Earlier in the day I stick with one zoom on each camera until its time for the vows, when I switch to a longer lens. The great majority of a wedding your camera location is greatly restricted lending itself to zooms.

sticking with something like a 17-55mm would mean having to be unacceptably close to the bride and groom during the ceremony to get the shots I want, though I do use something similar during prep and processional.

I don't get closer than around 10-15' which is good enough for head and shoulders. I agree 70-200mm is ideal for close up of the brides face while maintaining enough distance to be unobtrusive and out of the wide down the aisle / balcony shot. But here again we are only debating between which zoom to use.

Craig McKenna November 5th, 2015 11:35 AM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
To add to the discussion, I also use M4/3. I'll state my lenses and put the FF equivalent in brackets:

Establishing shots:
12mm f/2 (24mm)

Prep shots:
25 f/1.4 (50mm)
75mm (150mm) f/1.8
45mm (90mm) f/1.8
12-40mm (24-80mm) f/2.8

Ceremony and Speeches:
40-150 (80-300) f/2.8
12mm (24mm) f/2
75mm (150mm) f/1.8

First Dance:
25mm (50mm) f/1.4
12mm (24mm) f/1.4

Sometimes shoot 4K, so I can crop in to the shots.

Would love to add the 42.5mm f/1.2 soon.

Robert Benda November 5th, 2015 12:38 PM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig McKenna (Post 1902105)
Sometimes shoot 4K, so I can crop in to the shots.

Would love to add the 42.5mm f/1.2 soon.

Would love to shoot 4k. I'm still holding out for 4k with the same focusing as my 70D.

Steve Bleasdale November 5th, 2015 02:34 PM

Re: What lenses are you using throughout the wedding?
 
same here robert


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