Upcoming wedding, lens question

[candleman]

Originally Posted by lblongs

The room is of modest size, with capacity to seat around 40 at round tables. It is narrow with 2 of the 4 walls being exteriour with floor to ceiling windows. .

Wow it doesn’t get much better, should be a breeze before dark.
you dont need special kit if half the room is a window. Although, depending on the time of day you're in there, it could be a pain dealing with harsh light coming through the windows. I don’t see a problem with that much light. I shot an engagement party in a room like this, but it had large overhanging roof so the light was soft.


Are they doing the ceremony in there too?
a lightsphere is a good call seeing as much of the room you wont be able to bounce from seeing as its glass. But don’t feel like you need to lock into one style.. if the roof s white you can bounce off it too.

Originally Posted by lblongs

I have not been pleased iwth my 18-105 and feel it's best at midrange. I hate using at at the long end so maybe with the size of the banquet room a 24-70 might do okay? .

whats wrong with it? naturally wide open or at the extremes of its focal range it will be soft, but thats normal for any lens.
OF COURSE the 18-105 isnt up to the standard of the 24-70f/2.8, its not a pro level lens... but it does offer you a very useful focal range. 24-70 can be very limiting in an event situation. I do love it for portraits though.
its your money and your event so if you think you need it then hire it. I’d rather buy another memory card than rent a lens that might not be just right anyway.
If you really are struggling with the light.. is the 50mm f/1.8 not an option?

In close quarters like that, with what i’m assuming isn’t a high roof.. @iso1600 or 3200 that flash will be pretty darn effective.

its hard to say what you will need without seeing the room. but 24m really isnt wide at all.. and being a small room you may find you're forced to be closer to the action than you think. (impossible for me to say)

thats just what i would do, if you really aren’t happy with your 18-105 and you think you could do with the Nikkor 24-70 (yes it really is a very good lens, i’ve used one)
then rent the lens. Personally... the insurance would be higher up my list than the lens.

The biggest inhibiting factor wont be the 1stop of difference between your 18-105mm @ f/4 vs the 2.8
I can tell you shooting the couple at f/2.8 @ 70mm will cause one of them to be OOF due to DOF anyway!! And my 24-70 is almost always on f/4 for this reason, as well as the softness issue.
Your flash will make-up that 1 stop of difference very easily on a small room. Just be sure the Celebrant allows flash..

The biggest problem will be how you use your camera under stress, remembering poses, quickly adjusting WB and other settings, spotting problems in say loose buttons... all whilst remaining smiling and friendly.

all the best, i hope that helps.
do what you feel is right, this is just my humble opinion anyway.