what is a 20-35mm f/2.8 for?

[cryssi]

I was looking at the few lenses we have, and pulled out the shortest case. I don't think I've used it before, but please tell my why I would use a 20-35mm 2.8? Should I take it to my friend's wedding on Sunday?

tia!

 

[Anewman]

IMO it would make a decent wedding lens IF you were shooting a FULL FRAME(or film) camera, but with the crop factor it might not be wide enough for traditional wedding stuff one could adjust but does not seem ideal.

 

[cryssi]

oh, ok. thanks. It was one of DH's grandfather's old lenses for his film nikon, and I couldn't figure out if it was useful to us or not...

 

[handicap18]

I think it would be great for using at the wedding. Would come in handy as a candid lens and also because of the wide aperture, would come in very usefull for natural light.

If the church is well lit and the ceremony is during the day I would definately take it out and take some pictures with it.

Heck its only 2mm tighter than a kit lens, but that f/2.8 makes it worth taking.

 

[cryssi]

It's going to be on a yacht at 5:30pm...

 

[handicap18]

It's going to be on a yacht at 5:30pm...

OHHHHHHH that might even get you some BETTER light! Especially as it gets closer to sunset. Will more than likely be after the ceremony, but with that kind of potential light later in the early evening,,,, Would definately be worth it. Plus it will more than likely be sharper than other lenses you have that cover that range. Probably right around f/5.6 would be VERY sharp, especially compared to a kit lens.

A buddy of mine who is a pro and does tons of weddings, uses a 28-80mm f/2.8 as his main lens during the weddings he does. He preferes the wider aperture lenses.

 

[cryssi]

my kit lens is the 18-70 that's been more soft than not...but I still kind of attribute that to user error...hmm...

 

[photo_chick]

I would take the lens. I agree that f/2.8 would be awfully nice to have, especially for closer people shots and the fading light in the evening. Then you have all those great magic hour shots it would help you out with..... It is not that long of a lens and will not take up much space in your bag anyhow! Better to take it then to be there and wish you had it.

 

[MICKEY88]

I would definitely take it, I shot an entire wedding with a 35-105 lens and didn't need anything wider for all the formal group shots so I think that would be plenty wide..

 

[cryssi]

Thanks all! I think I'll take it, if anything just for something different. It'll be good practice. LOL Have to take every opportunity to hone my skills...although I don't know about carrying a Slingshot 200 while wearing a nice dress...so attractive! LOL

 

[JR6ooo4]

Of course test it first to see if it works, heheheheee

MIkeeee

 

[cryssi]

LOL, I already put it on the camera and played around with it. Of course, I didn't take any pics b/c there was no CF card in the cam...

 

[MICKEY88]

Thanks all! I think I'll take it, if anything just for something different. It'll be good practice. LOL Have to take every opportunity to hone my skills...although I don't know about carrying a Slingshot 200 while wearing a nice dress...so attractive! LOL

they make photographers vests that look like tuxedo vests, that might look a little better...

 

[Master Mason]

For a film camera or a FF digital, that is a fairly wide lens, I bet it was purchased as their wide.

I have been reading a bunch of wedding photo people using the 17-55 f/2.8 so I bet your lens would be very good at a wedding.

 

[cryssi]

they make photographers vests that look like tuxedo vests, that might look a little better...

hmm...

 

[Groucho]

That's not that much difference in wideness from a typical kit lens that starts at 18mm, but the F2.8 can make a world of difference. If the quality was good on that lens and it was autofocus, I'd probably end up using it as my "main" lens instead of the kit lens.

I have a Sigma 28mm F2.8 that I use occasionally, and I'd use it a lot more if it was autofocus... (if only I had a split-prism viewfinder!) My next lens will hopefully be a fast, fairly wide lens... probably a prime but possibly a zoom if I can find one with quality that I'll be happy with for a reasonable price.

 

[cryssi]

well, I kept it on the camera most of the night. I haven't downloaded the pics yet, but will probably do it tomorrow...hey, it's 1am and I REALLY have to go to bed...

I hope I got some decent shots at least. I took about 100...