One lens only, Maybe 2

[tayl0124]

I you were going to a wedding and reception. What one lens would you bring with. And if you could choose a 2nd lens what would that be. I will be shooting with a rebel xs so it is not a full frame sensor so that may make a difference. I am not a hired photographer for the wedding, just wanting to play around with it.

[AgingEyes]

How would the photos be viewed? Will they be printed anything larger than 8x10 or just viewed on the web? If you're not printing anything big, then a super zoom in the range of something like a 18-200 will do. Judging by the lens you have listed, the 18-55 should do.

[Greg McCary]

Looking at your list of equipment. 25-80mm and the 70-210mm. Consider I have only shot a couple. One needs to have great bokeh. The Gary Fong lightsphere paid for itself first time out. The other pro that was there was also using a Gary Fong. I saw her pictures later and the were awesome. Blew mine away.. I think she was using similar lenses as I stated but she was using a Nikon.

[Greg McCary]

I also found out it is important to give your subject room to breath. Don't be right in their face and you will get more natural candids.

[tayl0124]

My intention may be to rent a lens. The lenses that I have aren't really fast enough I have found for dancing shots. The 50mm does okay with a flash. So it is not limited to lenses I own.

[n8]

I've used my all-in-one 18-200 when shooting casually, and still bring it with on my paid gigs, when I need the reach, although I'm really trying to avoid using it. Judging by your list, your 25-80 is an ideal range. I would bring the 50 if you need some extra speed/bokeh.

[freygr]

I would take 2 of the lenses you have, The fast prime in 50mm for the staged shots of the bride and groom, and the 18-55mm for the reception, and a flash unit.

[MotorToad]

Renting lenses? I'd go with a 35 /1.4 and either the proverbial 24-70 /2.8 or the 16-35 /2.8

[Photo-John]

For your APS-C sensor camera, the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS is the one I'd take. I bought it just for shooting in the kind of situation you're talking about. It's essentially an APS-C version of the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L - except it also has image stabilization. I see a bunch of mentions of the 50mm lens. While it is a nice portrait lens, it's not very versatile. The 17-55mm f/2.8 is going to do a lot more for you - especially if you've never shot anything like this before.

[Franglais]

On APS-C I would use the 16-85VR (Canon equivalent is the 15-85IS f3.5-5.6 I think).

- It goes a bit wider than the 17-55 (could be useful if you have to cram a lot of people into the picture)
- It goes a lot more tele than the 17-55 (useful to isolate the subject)
- It has IS/VR (but then so do all the lenses mentioned)
- The results are good at all apertures and focal lengths (at least for the Nikon)

Second choice would be the 18-200 but only if I was sure I could use bounce flash throughout and work at a comfortable aperture (f8-f11) the whole time