Please suggest a three-lens set for a Nikon D5100 for event/wedding photography? -- MORE BELOW --?

Question

- Not counting the 18-55mm kit lens that I already have
- I realize three is an arbitrary number here, just something to get me pointed to these arenas.
- I realize also that most wedding pros use pro cameras and the D5100 is only a "premium entry level' camera, but it does take nice images, and I still want to ask this question.
- Zooms and/or primes
- Willing to consider Sigma & Tamron in addition to Nikon.
- More oriented toward shooting stills than video.
- Not specifying a budget here, but it is a factor

At the risk of overloading question, how about the same question only for ...

* photojournalism?

* wildlife?

* portraits?

- Kinda also looking to see which lenses, if any, might show up in more than one category.

~ thanks for your answers ~

Answer 1

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Answer 2

Best Lens For Nikon D5100

Answer 3

For weddings, use a 35mm for the ceremony, a fast 50mm for portraits and the 18-55mm at around 18mm for group shots. If you can afford to buy an 18mm-ish lens then that would your third.



No. Not all wedding pros use the D5100 but yes, you can use an entry-level camera. In fact any dSLR will do. The worth of the camera doesn't matter.



Zooms or primes? It's a matter of choice. Zoom lenses offer versatility so instead of bringing 3-4 lenses you can only bring 1 or 2. Prime lenses are faster. You can use them at lower lighting conditions and you can blur the backgrounds more easily. Best of all, prime lenses generally have superior optics over zooms.



As much as possible buy lenses from the same brand as your camera for utmost compatibility. Only buy from third-party brands if budget is a huge issue.



If you were into video, you wouldn't be a photographer. You'd be a videographer, who is better off using a real digital video camera.



My impression of photojournalism merits the use of wide lenses. The 18-55mm kit lens will do at the wide end. If you want speed, shoot with a fast 35mm.



Wildlife, so as not to be disturbed, needs to be shot using telephoto lenses. The longer the focal length (more mm), the farther you can position yourself from the subject. 300mm or longer would be ideal.



http://keerok-photography.blogspot.com/2011/05/lenses-so-many-of-them-there-is-no-best.html

Answer 4

A 70-200 f/2.8 from either Nikon or Sigma is the best event lens you can buy. I would combine that with a Nikon 50mm f/1.4 for super sharp portraits, to blow out the background, or to shoot in low light, and use the 18-55 for wide angle shots as a backup. You will probably want all your lenses to be f/2.8 or wider to be usable in low light situations. Great article on inexpensive Nikon lenses here:



http://www.learningcameras.com/index.php/photography/1-all/30-great-nikon-budget-lenses-stunning-photographs-for-a-stunning-price

Answer 5

One thing I took time to understand is that you should specialize in some kind of photography. Resolving this question will easily allow you to identify which lens is suitable for you.



Based on your first question (wedding photography), I'd consider fast lens (f2.8, f1.8 f1.4). Prime lens like 50mm or 35mm for DX or the Sigma/Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 (You could go for the nikon version but it's so expensive as the D7000).

Answer 6

This is really going to depend on your shooting style. I am really not much on Zooms but if you are shooting wildlife or sports you need something like a 70 to 300 f4 in my opinion. Here is good one from Nikon.



http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/729950-GREY/Nikon_2191_AF_S_NIKKOR_28_300mm_f_3_5_5_6G.html



And here is a decent cheap one from Sigma



http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/729950-GREY/Nikon_2191_AF_S_NIKKOR_28_300mm_f_3_5_5_6G.html



I like to have three fast (f1.8 or better) primes( usually 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm). I like Nikon and Zeiss.



This is a nice fast 50

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/97413-USA/Nikon_1902_AF_Nikkor_50mm_f_1_4D.html



For portraits I like this 85

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/662720-REG/Zeiss_1767_826_Planar_T_85mm_f_1_4.html



If you do not mind using classic manual lenses, you can get some sweet primes for a lot less than new ones.



A good general lens is an 18 to 135mm zoom.



Hope this helps



http://cheapdslrprofessional.blogspot.com/

Answer 7

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Answer 8

I think it might be best for you to buy a set of extension tubes and use that instead of a different lens.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

Interesting topic!