Upcoming wedding, lens question

[lblongs]

I'm helping out with a wedding in 3 weeks and was wondering if I should rent a lens.
It's being held in a large private room at a local upscale restaurant and will have about 35 guests.

I use a D300 and have a 50mm 1.8, an 18-55, an 18-105, and 55-200. None of my lenses are all that great, but I do like the 50mm. I just don't want to rely on it for my primary lens that day.

I had thought about renting a higher quality lens like the 24-70 but don't really know what would be approproate given the event, room size, etc. Would there be another lens that would serve me better, or are my current lenses just fine? I plan to shoot with a flash diffuser as well.



ADDED INFO - I am the only photographer. It's a friends celebration and she cannot afford to go the traditional route so she has asked me to shoot for her. I have an SB 600 unit I will be using on my D300. Hope that helps.

Advice and suggestions welcome.

[Swisstony10]

I'd say it's worth renting the "pro" version of whichever of your lenses you'd use most. It's all down to what you're comfortable with and what suits your shooting style.

As an example - the Canon 70-200 f2.8 L lens is considered to be a "must-have" for Canon wedding shooters. I rented one for my first two weddings, first alongside a 24-70 f2.8 L, and then alongside the 24-105 F4 L. I barely used the 70-200, because although it's an utterly delicious lens in terms of image quality, it just didn't work with the way I shoot - I spent way more time with the 24-70 and 24-105.

I don't feel like I wasted my money though - I would've if I'd bought one, but renting it (twice) just confirmed that it's not the must-have lens for me. Best thing (in my opinion) would be to think about the size of the room, and work out what focal lengths you'd mostly work in if you were using your own lenses, and rent the sharper faster version of it.

Russ.

[zona5101]

Be sure and talk with the lead photographer on what she/he expects you to cover. That may drive your choice of rental lens and/or use of your 50mm...

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by zona5101

Be sure and talk with the lead photographer on what she/he expects you do cover. That may drive your choice of rental lens and/or use of your 50mm...

+1 you should know what the main photog is expecting from you, and what he thinks you'll need most, then think about renting. Why think on a 24-70 when he/she may be expecting you to be further back.

I think your money would be better spent on an external flash unit. I'd bet the room is going to be pretty dark, and even at f2.8 you'll be shooting very high ISO to eek a every little bit of shutter speed you can get. Getting a flash unit will help out immensly, and I would never shoot a wedding reception without one.

[ARKreations]

The 24-70 is a fantastic all-purpose lens if you've got the room and/or access to use it. I find it's great about 80% of the time and the IQ is superb. The other 20% is a tossup between telephoto and wide-angle.

However, I would certainly want something a little more potent (and redundant) than a single SB-600 as my only flash before spending money on lens rentals.

[kirbinster]

I think you want both more light and the Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 AF-S lens. I recently took some pictures at a wedding with my 24-70 and it is a great lens for that. If you don't get more light, be sure to use your SB600 off camera with the popup used as the commander.

[gturner]

A fong flash defuser may help in that small space if you do not have the knowledge or kit required to set up a controlled flash / lighting environment. I was not convinced until I tried it.

I can't see you needing anything over 70mm in that confined space.

Maybe think about a 14mm for wide shots

[candleman]

D300+18-105VR+SB600 isnt bad really.... i wouldnt waste my money hiring an f/2.8 especially considering the VR gives you a 1stop advantage anyhow. The good focal range of the 18-105 will work beautifully.
The Doomsayers can get the better of the wallet and then you're locked nto a small focal range like 24-70. I've done a few weddings with 24-70 range and its a good range, but i'm starting to consider my options when it comes to the wider angles.

on a D300 you're safe up until iso3200 if you can expose correctly.
The camera is more than capable.. the question is (respectfully), can you use it properly.

have you got spare batteries and memory cards? (thats the main thing)
i wouldnt go out with less than 16Gb.

i'd get WB correction gels for the flash and learn how to use them... they are vital in my experiences with large halls.

i hire an assistant to carry my bag and lightstand & softbox, and get me a drink or whatever when i need it. (i pay them because i cant afford for them to piss around and not be there when i need a runner)

If you dont already know, Learn how to bounce flash and use spot metering in conjunction with your flash. Experiment in your livingroom with how TTL-BL will change how the flash exposes as opposed to spot metered etc etc.

are you getting paid at all? if i were you i'd buy "1 day insurance" to cover liability for if you drop your camera in the cake or something like this happens... (this is a LOL OMG moment, not only a "scare the sh*t out of you" moment but it does happen so best to be prepared)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbxtfeaEthw


Dont use off camera flash or ANY other technique on the big day that you arent comfortable with.
Thats a recipe for disaster.

all the best, i hope it goes well

[lblongs]

Candleman -

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. I know the lighting will be great at 6 pm and should be that was for a few hours. I am not comfortable with off camera flash and thought my Speedlight with the Fong would have to suffice. I will not be getting paid - heck the bride didn't even want a photographer until she remembered I dabble in photography. She didn't even want a wedding, they were all set to elope to somewhere warmer than Ohio. I still have a ton to learn on my D300 and can't say with all the confidence that I am a skilled operator, but I am learning. 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? I don't want to spend a bunch on a rental and I have read enough from you that I trust your opinion of the 18-105.