Nikon D700 Wedding Lens Kit ?

[knumbnutz]

Hi All,

What would people use as their preferred wedding lens or portrait kit if you had D700?

In Nikon - 24-70 F2.8 & 70-200 F2.8

or ??

Cheers
Neil

[Lani]

Portraits: 70-200 2.8,... weddings: you probably need both to cover all aspects of the event.

[JM Tran]

Hi All,

What would people use as their preferred wedding lens or portrait kit if you had D700?

24-70 F2.8 & 70-200 F2.8

or ??

Cheers
Neil

this is the generic and safe option, a can-do everything but doesnt always mean its the best. It also depends on the shooter's style too - I dont shoot at all in the 24-70 range.

both lenses wont cut it for very low light work when you need F2 and faster, so at least have a prime ready.

I shoot weddings with another photographer usually. I have the 70-200 on me and Sigma 12-24 on the second body for the ultra wide/creative stuff . Will change to 100mm f2 for a lot of the reception work where its usually dark indoors. Plus waving a 70-200 f2.8 around all day gets tiring not to mention it can be obtrusive.

my 2nd photographer uses the 24-70 for group shots and general stuff, I dont care about him

[kiwi]

I'd add a 50 1.4 with ext tubes for low light and the odd macro shot also





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[knumbnutz]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Are the sigma alternatives up to the same IQ as the Nikon lenses in those focal lengths, are the worth considering ? (money aside)

Cheers
Neil

[kiwi]

what do you seriously think ?

[Clubmanmc]

using a 7D i have the trio of 2.8's and a 10-22 as a back up for ultra wide stuff...

but have a 24-70 on one body and swap the 16-35 and 70-200 on the other body...

also my style is to use the 70-200 for close ups with out being intrusive and the 24-70 for full length shots at the same distance...

covers all the bases from one spot...

M

[campo]

I'm on a D300 (DX) and consider my 17-55 and 70-200 as "bread and butter" lenses when it comes to weddings. They cover basically everything.

I also carry the 12-24/f4, 85/f1.4, 105VR/f.28 with me but these lenses are used for specific circumstances/purposes throughout the day.

[swifty]

Disclosure: I've only covered a few weddings.
Some suggestions:
2 zooms: 16-35/24-70 and 70-200mm. Add a canon 500d closeup filter
3 zoom: 14-24, 24-70, 70-200. Add a canon 500d closeup filter.
3 primes: 24 1.4, 35/50mm and 85 f1.4/105 DC or 2.8macro/135 DC
Or a combo of 2 bread and butter zooms and one hero prime. U pick the focal lengths u like.

[bigdazzler]

In answer to your original question ... yes it is a very common and reliable combo.

I use a 28-75 and 70-200 on FF, and a 50 1.4 and 85 1.4 thrown in for good measure.

Sigma 24-70 has a good reputation for being super sharp and great IQ. Good value, but I doubt it would be up to the Nikon variant (I dont use Nikon but apparently their lenses are built in heaven according to Kiwi )

As for the telephoto, the general consensus on the third party options are that the Sigma has faster AF, but the Tamron has the better IQ.

I have a Tamron and shoot portraiture with it. The IQ, colour, and contrast, are fantastic, and it is super sharp from about f4. A touch soft at 2.8 but nothing to hang yourself over.

From all of that .. take what you will. It might be worth reading up on the third part options if budget is a major consideration. The Tamron really is good bang for buck but unfortunately it can hunt a little in lower light so for weddings it may hinder you.

[campo]

I dont use Nikon but apparently their lenses are built in heaven according to Kiwi

Kiwi is right...once you use them you know why!

As for the telephoto, the general consensus on the third party options are that the Sigma has faster AF, but the Tamron has the better IQ.

I had the Sigma 70-200 HSM (I) not (II) and found it a great lens however it was pretty soft at 2.8. I also found that in dimly lit situations and these focal lengths, you really need stabilisation if you can't use a tripod (ie. i'm a wedding shooter)

[bigdazzler]

Kiwi is right...once you use them you know why!

ill take your word for it .. cause it wont ever happen. Im pretty happy with working toward a bigger CZ collection.

I had the Sigma 70-200 HSM (I) not (II) and found it a great lens however it was pretty soft at 2.8. I also found that in dimly lit situations and these focal lengths, you really need stabilisation if you can't use a tripod (ie. i'm a wedding shooter)

Doesnt apply to me .. my Sonys have in body stabilisation, so all my lenses are pretty steady. Didnt consider it in terms of third party lenses for nikons .. but now that you point it out, yes stabilisation would be preferable for weddings, obviously.

[bigdazzler]

removed : double post

[dche5390]

I had the AFS 28-70 f/2.8 and the 70-200VR on a D700 and D200 respectively. The Nikkor 28-70 has very poor MFD so I didn't like it. I would advocate strongly for the 24-70 f/2.8.

I second shot another wedding entirely with a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 (mostly at f/2).

It depends on your style. Whether you need to go wide. Whether there is time permitting to use the 70-200 for portraits. I found that the 24-70, 28-70, or 50mm to be the most practical for my style of photography (candids - basically story telling via PJ). The 70-200 was rarely used because there was not enough time unfortunately.

If you can afford the time, an AI MF micro lens is great for rings. Once again, time is against you.

The 24-70 and 70-200 combo covers all your bases. It is safe. Not amazing, but safe. I bring out the 50mm when there is time to be creative.

[bigdazzler]

A little bit off track, but dont discount a quality compact like a LX3 or G11 for macro and detail shots either ... They can be incredibly handy at weddings and take some stunning images when you cant get your eye to the viewfinder. I know a very professional wedding photographer in Sydney that uses both of those compacts frequently.

[kiwi]

A little bit off track, but dont discount a quality compact like a LX3 or G11 for macro and detail shots either ... They can be incredibly handy at weddings and take some stunning images when you cant get your eye to the viewfinder. I know a very professional wedding photographer in Sydney that uses both of those compacts frequently.

Yes, I've seen this, but how droll not to own a macro lens if you can do on a p&s where's the fun in that ?

Oh oh, back to gear vs tog, lol


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[chamellieon]

i sincerely hope (and assuming moneys no issue) that youre also using a flash... the SB900 is a beautiful addition to those great lenses and body combo

[DanNG]

My ideal wedding lens kit for D700's would be Nikon 24 1.4 and 85 1.4.
Simple, fast, and less obtrusive.
Oh.. and without a flash
Im hoping a D700s comes out soon.. so I can pull the trigger on the above combo

[kaiser]

My ideal wedding lens kit for D700's would be Nikon 24 1.4 and 85 1.4.
Simple, fast, and less obtrusive.
Oh.. and without a flash
Im hoping a D700s comes out soon.. so I can pull the trigger on the above combo

I'm hanging out for an 85/1.4 with AF-s and VR...

[campo]

I'm hanging out for an 85/1.4 with AF-s and VR...

based on the latest Nikon Rumours, it appears there may be a new 85/1.4 without VR...which would be a shame. I have the current 85/1.4 and even on a d300 it focusses just fine and speedily enough...in my m,ind, the only thing that i'd like to have is VR because even at f1.4 in a dark house and ISO 2000, sometimes the shutter speed drops below the good old rule of thum of 1/(focal length ) or in cropped sensor case 1/(focal length x 1.5)