confused which lenses to buy

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brian Zingler on December 3, 2011 at 9:45am

First whe nI here parties I think lower light so that comes into play...I would think this lens could be the one you need....Nikon 35mm f1.8 lens (about $197)  other wise there is nothing wrong with the Nikon 18-55mmVR other than it struggles in low light.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike Davenport on December 6, 2011 at 2:58pm

DR is right in saying that it is big step to shoot weddings, and you really should learn as much as you can before you get in too far over your head.  That being said, how you going to learn if you don't ask?!  I would start with a good portrait lens, something between 50mm and 105mm.  The next thing is to get a fast lens, at least f2.8 or faster.  Two reasons for the fast lens:  (1) if you are not using flash, but using available light, a fast lens will help in low light.  (2) and more important, if you open up to the max, (f2.8, f1.8, f 1.4...) you will get a very shallow depth of field.  That will throw the background out of focus and help focus on the person you are photographing, and not on a distracting background.  And if you are serious, sped the extra money and buy quality.  You won't out grow it, and high quality glass will make a huge difference in the final image.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by karma gurung on October 11, 2012 at 12:46am

thanks mike

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Greg Maklae on December 7, 2011 at 8:59pm

I think which lens is the least of your problems. First off, you need a much better camera body or two, something that will have no noise at high ISO's (1600+). Second, you cannot skimp on the glass. Plan on spending at least $2K for a fast zoom, plus another grand on a fixed for the second high end body. Finally, you need training to learn lighting, composition, exposure and be able to change the camera setting blind folded.

No offense to you, but it amazes me how many people go to WalMart, get a $500 camera, and think the can turn pro. I have been studying landscape photography for about 4 years, took workshops with two of the leading photographers in the field, studied just about every book I could get, and only starting next year will I make a effort to sell my images.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Greg Maklae on December 7, 2011 at 10:00pm

What do you mean, I was president of my senior class 4 years in a row!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Greg Maklae on December 8, 2011 at 12:00am

Think you missed my joking line.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by karma gurung on October 11, 2012 at 12:47am

haha 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike Davenport on December 8, 2011 at 1:31am

4 years.  Well at least you were a popular slow learner!  (Gave me a good laugh this morning, thanks!)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by charles Owen Hoffman Smith on December 11, 2011 at 10:21am

I'm going to go against the crowd with my reply.
One, buy yourself a good quality prime lens, say a 50mm 1.8 or if you can afford it a 85mm 1.8 or 2.8.
Two, at least read up on the basics of wedding photography especially taking group shots.
Three, go for it BUT do not charge as it's unlikely your work would be worth it but use it as a learning experience.
Four, finally when finished find someone who knows their stuff to critique your work & learn from it.
Good luck

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike Davenport on December 11, 2011 at 10:46am

Excellent reply Charles.   While it may sound like I got on my soap box, I certainly didn't mean to steer Karma away from going forward.  Everyone of us, amateur, enthusiast, semi-pro or pro, we all started at the same place, and at some point, we have to jump off the deep end, take the risk and put ourselves out there.  Yes, you need descent equipment, but you don't need the best.  You just need to be comfortable using it.  You need to learn, but the learning has to start somewhere and it NEVER ends.

• ▶ Reply