Suitable lense to go to a weeding.

[Rehesan]

Hi all,

I will be attending to one of my best friends weeding on June and I want to make some good captures, so I do not want to use my Nikon with the kit lense (18-55 mm 1:3.5-5.6 G VR) or one of my 70-300mm lenses, because I think those are not suitable gear for this type of events. The weeding is at daytime and the ceremony and the reception will be outdoors, so I think I will not have the lowlight problem.

The shoting style I am pursuing is candid captures, nothing formal or elaborated, because I am just a guest, not the professional photographer ;but anyway I want to have a good sets of photos for my personal albums and obviously for sharing with my newly wed friends.

So, based on that: which lense would you recommend to have on my nikon D3000 body?, fixed focal length, zoom lense, high-speed?. I would like to have a lense which produce nice bokeh effect on the portrait style captures.

Also I want to use just one lense, I mean I do not want to be changing lenses during the shooting and also because I´ll be traveling overseas and I want to be as light traveler as possible, and having with me my big backpack full with lenses and accesories is not an option for this occassion.

I am planning on renting the lense, because I want to have a very nice glass for this event, and by now I am not able to afford a new one.

Thanks in advance for your inputs, have a great day!.

[OsmosisStudios]

Youve got a few options

Primes: Get a few primes. 50mm, 85mm, 135mm, maybe something wider too. Downside: most won't AF on your D3000.

Zooms: 2 zooms should cover it: 24-70 f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8. Downside: they're big, heavy, and don't balance well on the D3000.

Are you going to be the photographer for the wedding, or a guest? If the former, I'd reconsider. If the latter, then get the 35mm f/1.8 AF-S DX and enjoy. Just stay out of the way of the photographer

[Rehesan]

I am just a guest, not the photographer. I would never accept to do weeding photography since I am just a photography enthusiast not a professional.

Thanks for your recommendations, I think the 35 mm f/1.8 would do a good job.

[ARKreations]

The 24-70/2.8 is a fantastic wedding lens. The zoom covers any range that a "guest" would need and the image quality is as good as it gets on a crop body. While the 35/1.8 is a nice prime, I think you may find the fixed length somewhat limiting. (Just my $0.02 )

[outamyway]

If it's outdoors with no lighting issues, your other 2 lenses should be fine. If you want a fantastic lens, rent a 24-70 f2.8 from a camera shop.

[WooD]

I always use my Stihl for all weeding jobs.

Trimmers and Brushcutters - String Trimmers, Brush Cutters, Clearing Saws, Weed Trimmers - STIHL USA


Sorry.....couldn't help it.

[MJDigitalArt]

Cute......

I would like to re-emphasize what another poster said because it went unanswered.

If you are not the paid photographer at a wedding, it is bad form to show up with pro gear, and upstage the photographer... do your friends a favor and stay out of the photographers way, and if you are wanting to take a shot, and are near the photog... ask him or her first. The hired gun always gets priority, and never never never duplicate his or her shot or you are asking for trouble.

[irispatch]

I am confused are you going to a garden event where you are pulling weeds or a marriage ceremony aka Wedding? In any case the suggested lenses should be fine for either type event.

[Rehesan]

Originally Posted by MJDigitalArt

Cute......

I would like to re-emphasize what another poster said because it went unanswered.

If you are not the paid photographer at a wedding, it is bad form to show up with pro gear, and upstage the photographer... do your friends a favor and stay out of the photographers way, and if you are wanting to take a shot, and are near the photog... ask him or her first. The hired gun always gets priority, and never never never duplicate his or her shot or you are asking for trouble.

Thanks for your suggestion, but my intetion will never be to upstage the hired photographer I just want to have a very nice photos as a memories for myself, since is one of my best friends marriage. Obviously I would never be even near to the hired photographer it is not my interest, as I metioned I just want to get some candid pictures of the event: groom and bride, my friends, my wife, and myself, once again with the only intention to treasure good images as memories.

I think a Nikon D3000 is far away from to be a pro gear, and above all I believe I am free to show up to the event with the gear I consider will do a good job for me taking pictures, obviously it will never be my intention to have speed flashes, two bodies, bags, tripods-monods, etc., I only want to take good photos for me and all my friends that will be attending the event.

[Rehesan]

Originally Posted by irispatch

I am confused are you going to a garden event where you are pulling weeds or a marriage ceremony aka Wedding? In any case the suggested lenses should be fine for either type event.

Ok, I made a spelling mistake, sorry for that, but I am not english spoken native, it is just my 3rd. spoken language.

Thanks for your response.