Which Lens should I rent?

chrisjakes

Which lens would be a better fit for my D7000 for a small wedding shoot?

Nikon 24-70 2.8 FX lens
nikon 17-55 2.8 DX lens

I was going to rent the 70-200 vrII but changed my mind b/c of its size and I dont think I will need that much zoom. Plus its only 20 people all family and i'm not carrying around a 3lb lens all day for something that casual........

Golf007sd

The 24-70 2.8 would be my recommendation for most of yours shots. If the weeding is going to be inside and a bit dark, you may want to consider the 35 1.8 or 50 1.8 primes as well, unless you are going to use a flash.

Msmoto

I did a wedding with full frame and the 24mm f/1.4. If one is careful in how the wide lenses are utilized it covers everything. And the f/1.4 is very good in low light. Two stops more than an f/2.8. On a D7000 this would be perfect IMO...the 24mm.

Check it out http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/sets/72157631859730867/

chrisjakes

I do also have the 35mm 1.8 that i am taking.....

I was just wondering if the DX prime zoom would offer any advantages. i know the 24-70 is quite popular

JJ_SO

I would not take a 24-70 on a DX to shoot a wedding. I'd use the 24/1.4 like Msmoto. Maybe even a more wide-angle zoom like a Tokina 11-16/2.8

Edit: Golf0047sd and Msmoto, you did see the question was for a D7000? And although I like the shots of Msmoto, maybe not everybody was flattered by the sharpness of the 24?

PB_PM

On the D7000, I'd take the 17-55 F2.8. You'll find yourself needing the wider angle more than tight, with such a small wedding party.

chrisjakes

I'm not even sure there IS a wedding party. I dont even know if i can take my tripod on this trip to get a shot of everyone all together. maybe the pastor will take a shot for us haha.

My main thoughts on renting a lens are that the wedding will be at around 430. might try to take some shots of the couple at sunset someplace nice. The rest will just be a few portraits. I DO have the 35mm 1.8 that can probably do what i want. i was just looking for a zoom to use during the ceremony so i dont have to move around and distract so much.

TaoTeJared

So if I am understanding correctly, you are not photographing the wedding but just want a lens to take some photos?

If that is the case I would get the 24-120vr f4 instead. More reach, and ok on the wide side, but it doesn't sound like that is what you are expecting. If you need wide, then nikon 17-55 2.8 DX lens.

The 24-70 is a great lens, but I have found it always an odd focal length for DX. For weddings I have found it is better to keep with the classic equiv 24-70mm (17-55) or if you don't plan to get very close, go longer with the 24-120vr.

spraynpray

17-55 on DX. I doubt anybody is going to tell the difference between that and an 18-55 kit lens though if both are shot at f5.6. I would focus more on getting good with off camera flash if I were you.

chrisjakes

They are not hiring a photographer. They want me to take pictures all day and during the ceremony. This is what I have:
D5000
D7000
SB700
55-200 VRII
18-55 kit lens
35 1.8

I'd like to rent one lens to take to have fun with for the vacation in Branson, MO and can also help me take some photos that both them and I will be happy with at the ceremony. i do have a camera backpack big enough to take both bodies and plan on "trying" to use both cameras during the ceremony. One with the 35mm and then a zoom lens i was looking to rent. If anyone has other suggestions please feel free. I figure one nice lens to rent for 10 days is gonna run me about $150 with shipping. I'm not looking to break the bank to cover everything. just add a little something. Reception is in a cabin and i have the flash and the 35mm so i just want something to cover the outside ceremony. What the space is like i have no idea helpful info from the sister in law right?

JJ_SO

Tokina 11-16/2.8 II and Sigma 17-70/2.8-4 would cost at lensrentals something like 130$ for 10 days

http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/nikon/lenses/wide-angle/tokina-11-16mm-f2.8-at-x-pro-dx-ii-for-nikon
http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/nikon/lenses/normal-range/sigma-17-70mm-f2.8-4-dc-hsm-os-a1-for-nikon

I'd go for these two

Edit: And if you type into the search field "wedding", you get nice packages, but you already have a part of the equipment.

Msmoto

I would go for a wide fast lens. The 24mm f/1.4 again. The reasoning is this. You can shoot low light and get a lot in the shot. The 24mm on DX is only a horizontal angle of 50° so it is not very wide. You have the 18-55mm which you could use for individual shots with flash and at 55mm this is only 24° in width. Like an 82mm on full frame..great portrait lens. And, I would get a soft-box for the flash, point it up about 45° to get some bounce if possible.

chrisjakes

I have no idea what a soft box is haha.....

seems like there are def. varying opinions. Please keep them coming. I like hearing what people think...... I do think the 24 f1.4 could be handy at the reception in the cabin but it is also about the same to rent that as the 2 lenses JJ_SO suggested.......

tcole1983

I think the 35 and the 17-55 is a good choice. Give you a good range and pretty much all you need...I would opt for a longer lens if you could...something like the 85 F1.8 or 105 F2.8 and the 17-55. It is just hard to get much bokeh with the 17-55. It sounds like you will need the wide or I would recommend the 24-70 just because the longer end is probably more useful, but I think in a small venue you will be happier with the 17-55.

Msmoto

OK, having two lenses is nice. But, in the midst of the action, changing lenses is not my cup of tea. And, when in low light, 2 f/stops is huge. The difference between 1/160 sec, my "people stopping speed" and 1/40 sec which will have a lot of subject blur. Folks do not hold still for photographs or if they do, this is exactly what it looks like...posed.

Well, we all have our preferences and it is up to you, Chrisjakes, to decide, and the large part of the decision is on what you think you will be comfortable with. Do what fits your style. And if you do not usually do low light shots, I would hang tight to the flash. A wedding is not the time to learn how to use a new piece of equipment.

Something like this is nice for the flash, or you can make you own out of a white card and some duct tape.
http://www.adorama.com/LQSB.html

tcole1983

Msmoto he has two bodies. I say use the zoom on D7000 and work with the ISO and the fast prime on the D5000 for low light.

Msmoto

@ tcole1983

Agree

TaoTeJared

Personally, I would get the 17-55, put it on the D5000 with the flash and put the 35mm 1.8 on the D7000.
Rational:
- Flash will increase the D5000 image quality
- D7000 is better low light, and better to crop on so use the 35mm 1.8 on it.
- Since you don't want to probably crop the D5000, use the zoom lens on it.

I have been doing something similar with my D300 and D800 and it is working fairly well. If I find I am using the prime a lot more, I'll switch the flash to that body. The other thing I will do is to put the prime on the D300 and shoot only B&W up to 6400 and plan on that being the much lesser used of the two bodies.

I prefer the Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible - Half Cloud with a AmberDome for wedding and event stuff. I found it to be more stable (doesn't' get knocked off as much) than the light boxes and has a bit better omni directional bounce to get more ambient view of the room. I do prefer getting the light off camera with a light box if that is an option but sometimes is hard. Really depends on the venue though.

Msmoto

Is the 17-55mm f/2.8 a lot sharper than the 18-55mm kit lens?

tcole1983

Although I haven't tried side by side I owned the 18-55 at one time and the 18-200. I feel like it is sharper and much faster. My 18-200 had trouble focusing sometimes and my 17-55 never seems to have a problem. Obviously much better build quality. Maybe I just imagine it but the 17-55 seems like a much better performer and the f2.8 helps.

PB_PM

The 18-55mm VR is a sharp lens, but focus is dead slow in comparison.

chrisjakes

looks like that will probably be what i get. the 17-55 2.8. there are probably like 4 lenses i would like to rent but thats just not going to happen haha. thanks again everyone for the input!

tonyb

17-55 seems like a good choice

MikeGunter

Hi,

@chrisjakes When is the wedding? Is it over? I was at Ft Leonard Wood - many, many, years ago. Spring is very pretty there and wide and close up lenses will be very nice.

Branson, then wasn't Branson now, but you should be able to get some really wonderful scenics.

I agree with the 17-55mm, and I would get a 50mm 1.8, too.

My best,

Mike

adamz

+1 to 17-55mm, can't agree with Mike on 50/1.8 - so crappy focal length on DX IMHO, 35/1.8 will do the work much better

MikeGunter

Hi adamz,

No problem to agree to disagree! :-)

I like the 50mm for portraits and at weddings, it has a convenient, IMHO, trade off of aperture/size/stand off/bokeh that makes it a cheap choice for the kit.

I absolutely agree on the 35mm, and see that he has in his kit.

My best,

Mike