What is the Best Budget Nikon Lens for Wedding Photography? Within a year of starting with not even an idea of what a DSLR was I was having to turn people away at Christmas time because I was so busy. But aside from this, it is a favorite among wedding photographers because it can also come in handy for portraits. Although there are plenty of great wide-angle lens options out there, I personally find the Nikon 20mm f/1.8G to be the ideal choice. Also, please post a comment or question about your favorite lenses for wedding photography, in the Comments section, below. Also, check out all of the best Nikon wide-angle lenses. Telephoto and certainly super telephoto are not normally found much in the bags of wedding photographers, but there are times and occasions when one might be useful or just a welcomed creative option. They are not great for portraiture either due to their f/2.8 maximum aperture, even at the longest end of the focal length range. Do keep in mind if youre thinking about getting a bunch of prime lenses that every time you change a lens you increase the possibility of dust getting into your sensor, and of dropping a lens. The results are also sharp, plus the colors are accurate. Not responsible for typographical or illustrative errors. It is still a recreational photographers lens. By checking this box I consent to the use of my information, as detailed in the Privacy Policy. The only complaint that I have about the 70-200mm is its weight it can be quite painful to carry around on a full day wedding. A nifty-fifty lens is likely the best pick for any wedding photography gig. #0907905; Sec. Good choices all. The Nikon AF-S FX Nikkor 20mm is a stand-out wide-angle lens. It comes with a wide aperture as well making it handy if you need to blur the background or if you wish to shoot in low-light situations. They are specialty items but, in wedding photography, they can be very useful for close-ups of rings, for selective-focus portraiture, and even to prevent distortion in group shots and architecture photos. When Nikon announced the lens, it was worlds first 105mm lens with such a large aperture the previous generation 105mm lens was an f/2. I also like the 28mm F2.8 AIS manual lens. Though its one of the best Nikon lenses for wedding photography, there are a few flaws that you should consider if youre planning to get this lens. It has smooth operations especially when it is searching for the subject. my budget is not too much high. It is also a good option in case someone plans to shoot large groups. As an Amazon Associate, Walmart Affiliate, and Best Buy Affiliate, Imaginated.com earns from qualifying purchases, you can read more about this on our Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and Affiliate Disclaimer. The corners are also not as sharp as youd want them to be. Thanks for the post. I focused this piece on the higher-end DX format lenses because that is the best of what the company offers and not because the more moderately priced lenses cannot produce wonderful photosthey can. I do plan to upgrade next year to a full frame so the lens I get now I want to use for the new camera (750 or 810). Im having trouble deciding which lens to buy, 24-70mm, 85mm or ??? Deal. However, they are versatile and useful, especially for those who do not want to keep switching lenses. I own a D7200 and will be shooting a small wedding and a couple of (graduation) portrait sessions, all outdoors, in late May early June minus the wedding reception which will be indoors. If I had one lens it would be the 24-70/2.8 with my 17-35/2.8 being a close second (I shoot mostly landscapes). With great speed and amazing depth, theyre ideal for isolating subjects and softening backgroundseven in challenging light. Lets take a look at our top lens choices, sorted from wide to telephoto: When photographing weddings, it is important to bring a wide-angle lens with you, so that you can capture your subjects in tighter environments (such as when photographing indoors, or when photographing large groups). Like the 58 1,4 the 28,1,4 delivers very estethical pictures. Although its quite difficult to handle due to its heavy weight and balance. While there are a few macro lens options available from Nikon, both classic and modern, as well as an 85mm tilt-shift lens option, my recommendation would be to go with the standard Nikon 105mm f/2.8G VR Micro lens. Its a good option for those who dont want to be switching lenses when shooting weddings. The best Nikon lens for wedding photography is the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G. If money was not an obstacle for a standard prime, I would skip both 50mm Nikon lenses and get the Nikon 58mm f/1.4G. Not only does it have a good range for shooting portraits, but it also performs exceptionally well when you shoot macro and group shots. This lens is a bit heavy considering the extra range that it offers compared to the standard lens. After I used the 35mm 1,4 for years I am happier with the combination 58 1,4 and 28 1,4 and 20mm 1,8. If you have other favorite lenses for your portrait/wedding photography, please let us know in the comments section below! Lets say that youre just starting as a wedding photographer and the funds are a bit tight. The reason why it is popular, is because many find it to be wide enough to be a practical lens for environmental portraits and long enough to be able to shoot occasional portraits with it. I suggest you search Nikon lenses on the B&H website or click here and use the filtering tools to find just the lens that fits your needs and budget. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR, A wide aperture that can produce beautiful bokeh, A good range for all wedding photography needs, You will need at least 4 feet for the AF to focus, Turns into a telephoto lens when used on a DX Nikon camera, Also does well when it comes to shooting wide shots, The quality of the shots are not as sharp as pro-lenses, Versatile for portraits and other wide-angle requirements, Has vibration reduction that can minimize shakes by up to 4 stops, Decent range for different situations in a wedding, Edge to edge sharpness for both DX and FX-format DSLRs. However, many other photographers, including our very own John Bosley swear by this lens and use it every day for their wedding photography needs. If you are a Nikon shooter who is considering wedding photography as a part of your repertoire, or currently shooting weddings and looking to add a new lens to your kit, there is no shortage of options, from the tried and true to the exotic. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR, 10. Great wedding-advisory, thanks for sharing Your experiences with us. With my Nikon D700 I have a 35mm 1:1.8 G, 50mm 1:1.8 G and a 105mm 1:2 D. I am not happy with the 105 as I havent gotten sharp images and cannot figure out why. Wide-angle lenses are very useful in wedding photography. It combines the beautiful characteristics of the 85mm f/1.4G with stunning sharpness, even at the maximum aperture of f/1.4. Not that great with low light when it comes to the noise it produced so when you do go to buy another lens I would def suggest something fast that you can open wide to pull in the most light without it compensating with a higher ISO. This was shot using a 24-85 plus a 70-200 VR11 plus a 60/2.8 There are some real peak in the figures Assuming I was using the ideal length at each time as I had all three loaded this may help people consider what to carry. Manufacturer rebates, terms, conditions, and expiration dates are subject to manufacturers printed forms NYC DCA Lic. Yes, it is much more expensive than the 85mm f/1.4G with its $600 price difference, but boy, once you give it a shot and see what it can do, you will understand why this is perhaps one of the best portrait lenses ever made. Just keep in mind the crop factor when shooting that lens on a DX camera but youll be good to go once you get your FX. Good question on how to get a nice bokeh on a group shot because that is something I am still not sure how to do. Ive shot a few weddings with my nikon gear and I agree with most of the article. Nikon makes four such lenses and they are available from wide-angle to medium telephoto focal lengths. Nikons most current 70-200mm f/2.8E FL VR is a stunning lens in many ways, but its high price tag of $2,800 is a hard pill to swallow for many photographers out there. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. Plus, the images are sharp. See my detailed Nikon 105mm f/1.4E Review for more information about this lens. My personal gripe with 24-70mm f/2.8 lenses is that they are bulky, heavy and they are not particularly great when shooting in low-light conditions (an f/1.8 prime is over a stop faster in comparison). Nasim Mansurov is the author and founder of Photography Life, based out of Denver, Colorado. I also use for specific creatives shots the 45mm PC-E f/2.8, the 60mm macro and a 105 DC f/2. If you find the f/1.4 version to be too expensive for your needs, you might want to consider the lighter and less expensive Nikon 35mm f/1.8G ED. Read more about Nasim here. Another nifty fifty option on our list of best Nikon lenses for wedding photography is the Nikon AF FX Nikkor 50mm F1.8D lens. It comes with a wide aperture that can deliver excellent bokeh and do well even indoors. Enter new zip code to refresh estimated delivery time. I used to favor the 24mm f/1.4G before, but ever since the 20mm f/1.8G came out, those extra 4mm have proven to be very useful, particularly when photographing interior architecture (such as ballrooms, dining halls, etc) and large groups. It comes with a nanocrystal coat and has been optimized for edge-to-edge sharpness regardless if youre using an FX or a DX-format Nikon camera. The 70-200mm tele-zoom is also available in different versions. Expanding the utility of these fish-eye lenses, Nikons proprietary ViewNX 2 software offers Fisheye Image Transformer, which converts images taken with diagonal fisheye lenses to appear as if they had been captured by an ultra-wide-angle lens. Over the last 12 years, hes had experience using different brands of lenses and cameras making it handy in giving unbiased reviews on anything that is photography gear related. Hd. Please enable javascript for your best B&H experience. It is a very sharp lens that is capable of producing superb images with plenty of detail, even when using high-resolution cameras like the Nikon D850. He is recognized as one of the leading educators in the photography industry, conducting workshops, producing educational videos and frequently writing content for Photography Life. Thinking about trading it in for another lensmaybe the 85 mm or a wide angle? Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, 5. Nikons latest marvel, the Nikon 105mm f/1.4E is an absolutely beautiful gem in every way. If you could partner the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-140mm F3.5-5.6G ED lens with another lens, it might be a good idea to have a 50mm F1.8 lens. Other than this small flaw, its the perfect lens not only for weddings but for most situations too. Yes, its way to heavy to carry around all day, but it offers You unlimited opportunities in getting stunning pictures everyone will admire. Personally, I consider the 70-200mm f/2.8 to be an essential lens for wedding photography it is a workhorse lens that always delivers. Sign in or create an account to access your information. I prefer the 105 DC because of the weight of the 1.4E version (and I dont do a lot of shots with it). Also, if you are going to shoot candid shots from guests, you can be discreet given the long range of this lens. Optics is known for producing sharp photos and vibrant colors. The 105mm features as the Electromagnetic Diaphragm Mechanism and protective fluorine coatings. Im glad I didnt spend more money on equip during that time because I have now moved up to a D750 and have less old stuff to sell. While there are plenty of 50mm lens options available from both Nikon and third party lens manufacturers, my personal favorite has always been the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G due to its excellent overall performance and very lightweight construction. I then started mini shoots on holidays and charged a little bit for those, again, letting them know I was still using them as a learning experience.