I have been asked to be the photographer at a friends wedding. I have the kodak P850 and would like to get another lenses. Do you think a wide angle or a telephoto lense would get more use for wedding photography?
I hate to tell you this, but you will want both. Your camera has a nice telephoto capability (over 400mm equivalency) so you are set there.
You will use the wide angle the most when shooting the wedding party after the service, but still in the church or hall and during the reception. Most of your wide-angle lens work there will be done when shooting the people at the tables, etc.
When doing closeups of those people on your shot list and other interesting folks, you will want to use the medium telephoto lens setting on your camera (100-150mm equiv.).
March 29th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
If youre being a wedding photographer youll be taking a lot of portrait shots. This is where you zoom in on the subject and open the aperture as far as itll go so the background is blurry but the subject is clear.
The standard lens that came with the camera should be fine for the group shots so go for the telephoto one.
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March 29th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
If you're limited to one or another, go with the WA over the TP, there will be many times when a WA will prove useful to gather in what's usually seen in a wedding. TP shots are okay but unnecessary if you've already got a digital which will get you close enough.
As the "official" photographer, you get the priority for all shots and can get in as close as you need to, so all the more reason to go WA instead of TP.
Good luck……..
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March 29th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
I hate to tell you this, but you will want both. Your camera has a nice telephoto capability (over 400mm equivalency) so you are set there.
You will use the wide angle the most when shooting the wedding party after the service, but still in the church or hall and during the reception. Most of your wide-angle lens work there will be done when shooting the people at the tables, etc.
When doing closeups of those people on your shot list and other interesting folks, you will want to use the medium telephoto lens setting on your camera (100-150mm equiv.).
References :
Editorial, sports and glamour photographer.
March 29th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Wide Angles are good for group shots. But if your more interested in portrait like photos a 200m to 300m lens is ideal. I don't know what your budget is like but you can find a
lot of good lenses that offer a compromise such as a 28m to
105m zoom lens. Also you didn't specify whether you are using
digital or film. If your using digital don't forget aps factor 1.5
or for the Cannon digital rebel 1.6.
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http://www.adorama.com has some good articles as well as a fine selection of lenses and other equipment
March 29th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
You can't change lenses and you already have quite a wide range, so I'd say don't bother. Clearly, you wouldn't need more telephoto end - unless you want to photograph the weddingrings from the balcony or something. I would be afraid that adding a screw-on wide angle lens converter would introduce an unacceptable amount of distortion and you'd end up wishing you could crop off the edges of your images anyhow. This would emphasize the limitations of your 5 MP camera when it comes to cropping and enlarging.
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March 29th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
As another photographer has advised here, you will need both wide angle and telephoto lens. In my experience photographing weddings, I usually have the two above mentioned and a fish eye for the reception (along with a back-up camera body and extra flash, of course).
You DO have time to switch lens. Prior to shooting a wedding, get involved with your client's (in this case, your friend's) wedding planning. Have them provide an outline of the day's itinerary. With this knowledge and some location scouting prior to the event date, you will be able to plan your photography shots.
You will mostly use your wide angle for candids of the bride and bridal party getting ready and formal portraits. 35mm and 50mm are fantastic settings. During the ceremony just remember to shoot wide first then, switch to telephoto in time for the wedding vows and ring exchange.
Good luck and have fun!
References :
Experience as a professional photographer.