Wedding Photography: Lenses That Professionals Use

Weddings are momentous occasions that need a lot of expertise and poise from professional photographers for capturing the best moments. Every photographer has his own preference for the models of cameras, lenses and accessories that he chooses to use. However, there are some standard lenses that all professionals swear by for wedding shoots. The mid-range zoom, fast prime and telephoto are the basic lenses every wedding photographer should have.

Zoom Lenses

• Medium Range Zoom Lens - This is the most common lens that is a necessity for wedding photography. It is a standard lens that can give good results in all kinds of situations regarding lighting. If using a full frame digital camera, the mid-range lens is between 24-70 mm. If not full frame or 35mm lens, this lens will be around the 17-55 mm range. All camera brands have put out their own versions of this kind of lens because of its wide applicability. This lens is ideal for all kinds of shots: from wide group photos from a distance to single portrait shots nearer by. Focus is good since with a high shutter speed less lighting can be exploited.


• Telephoto Zoom Lens - According to the brand a photographer prefers, this lens will be 70-200 mm. This lens is the best for taking zoomed photos of individuals, especially from a single location. It is especially useful during church marriage ceremonies. The aperture is quite wide so darker areas can be successfully captured at a high-speed with minimum blur or shake.

Other Important Lenses

• Fast Prime Lens - This is the most effective type of photographic lens for minimum light areas or for photographers who want to experiment with depth in their photos. Having a fast prime lens makes dark shots come out perfect since the wider aperture reduces blurring and vibration with its fast shutter speed. The aperture needs to be at f/1.8 or even faster for optimum results. 50 mm f/1.8 is the standard for fast prime, and costs the least among this lens type from most manufacturing brands.


• Wide angle lenses are the forte of some wedding photographers and they cannot compensate for a lack of them with an array of medium range, telephoto and prime. They are highly suitable for close up shots by putting heavy focus on a particular object you wish to bring to the forefront. A photographer knows how to use it well though without causing unnatural distortion of people's features.