Best lenses for low light weddings?

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Dawson on February 6, 2012 at 4:28pm

Im not sure of the lenses that sony has available but there are usually 3 lenses in most wedding photographers bag (These are all going to be in the Canon line since that is what I shoot with). 

1. 16-35mm F2.8L I or II

2. 50mm F1.4 USM (the 50mm F1.8 you have may be adequate unless the glass is sub-par and you're looking for something better)

3. 70-200mm F2.8L I or II IS or non-IS 

If I were to choose a 4th it would probly be the 24-70mm F2.8L. This would NOT be my first choice unless you are shooting with a full frame sensor. This would probly be your go-to lens if you were shooting with a camera that uses a full frame sensor.

Sony should have similar lenses available. Expect in the $1000+ for #1 and #3 depending on what generation and if its new or used.

These are not cheap lenses but they do make a huge difference. I would maybe recommend renting some lenses to see what works best for you.

I play with the idea of purchasing a used lens or a previous model (last years model) to save some money. Just make sure if you buy used that you buy a well built quality model and not a cheap used lens. 

If you don't mind running manual controls check to see if some older Konica-Minolta lenses will work with your camera since some of the Sony models used a similar mount. 

Consider what style you are going for and choose from there as a starting point.

Remember this is just my opinion. Im sure other people have different ideas as far as what is the best lens.

Hope this helps and isn't overwhelming. 

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Permalink Reply by Anant Singhal on February 7, 2012 at 4:40pm

Any lens with f/2.8 or lower should be great. Try using a tripod. Longer shutter speeds and buy an external flash and you will be good to go Mirissa.

It's great if you can afford an extra 50mm f/1.4 but i would recommend buying the other lenses first. Using too much flash takes the warmth away from the pictures.

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Permalink Reply by Sarah Ashley on February 11, 2012 at 4:40am

I dont find my flash to be making any images apear cooler than they should be. It is an easy thing to fix though if you are shooting in RAW. Also longer shutter speeds? With people dancing and walking around that is not a great idea but longer shutter speeds with a flash is ok since the flash would freeze any movement.

 

OP: You will need a wide angle for the group photos. I would not worry too much about zoom for the reception since that is where you get a chance to walk around and interact with people (use your legs as zoom). You may want a short telephoto for photos of the couple by themselves though. Again like others have said wide apatures are the way to go for indoor weddings / events and they are a bit expencive but you could rent them. Using flash with a diffuser on any lens that does not have a wide apature is a good idea.

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Permalink Reply by Brad Whistler on February 13, 2012 at 4:31am

Mirissa, For the wedding your are describing you really don't need an additional lens. Your money would be better spent on a flash bracket, I prefer a Strobofame that permits switching from vertical to horizontal. Your lens selection is good already. If you use the wide aperture of a fast lens like f1.4 or 2.8 at a wedding ceremony you will be disappointed with the results. The shallow depth of field won't work well for groups or sanctuary shots. Once you hit the reception the speed would work to pull people out of a crowd but you would benefit more from a strobe mounted above lens height to control shadows and brighten up a dark reception hall. The strobe will also open up your subjects faces and add a nice catch light to their eyes. I tend to use my strobe for every wedding shot except the actual ceremony.

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Permalink Reply by Maurizio Chara on February 19, 2012 at 1:57am

Don't forget the 85 1.8 excellent prime lense great for low light photography.

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Permalink Reply by Mo Hosseini on February 24, 2012 at 3:09pm

I would go with something wider for indoor photography. Your camera is 1.5x cropped factor so 50mm lens will be 75mm on you camer and it will be short for lots of shots, Group indoor prtraites maybe!!

I don't know anything about Sony but get a lens that covers about 17-50mm and that will be like 25.5-75mm and this is not even very wide but could serve you beter than 50mm. 50mm is a very, very good lense but as I mentioned will be tight for lots of photos!! just food for thought!!

Hope this helps

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