Good lens for wedding photography

Pye Jirsa

Founding Partner of Lin and Jirsa Photography and SLR Lounge. Follow my updates on Facebook and my latest work on Instagram both under username @pyejirsa.

The Best Lens for Wedding Photography in 2022 (Updated)

Having the best lens for wedding photography will help you capture those special moments, no matter where they occur.

Lenses come in all shapes and sizes. They also vary in cost. In this article, we have collected some of the most recommended lenses for wedding photography.

If you can only choose one lens, then a fast 70-200mm zoom would be ideal. For Canon users, that would be this fantastic lens.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM

Capture stunning wedding moments with a professional-grade telephoto lens, featuring superior image stabilization and fast autofocus.

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Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Zoom Lens

Amazon

$1,899.00 $2,099.00

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Navigate to the wedding photography lens of your choice here:

• 24-70mm f/2.8
• 70-200mm f/2.8
• 85mm and 50mm prime lenses
• 35mm prime lenses
• Macro lenses

Does the Choice of Lens Really Matter?

Camera lenses come in dozens of different focal lengths. They have different apertures and features.

The best lens differs from photographer to photographer. It’s based on shooting style and the brand of the camera body. Some wedding photographers favor bright primes with two bodies for fast access. Others prefer the ease and range of a zoom lens.

Owning more than one wedding lens allows you to capture the moment in a cramped, dim reception venue, as well as in a wide-open, brightly lit park. But there are a few features and focal lengths that are standard for the pro wedding photographer.

The following list includes everything. From lenses for multiple camera bodies (such as Nikon, Canon, Sony, and Fujifilm) to third-party lenses that are available for multiple mounts.

Before we look at the details of our chosen lenses, here’s a table of all the lenses for wedding photography in this review.

Best 24-70mm f/2.8 Wedding Photography Lenses

This wide to medium zoom lens covers a solid range of focal lengths and still packs in a bright aperture.

The lens is wide enough to capture the entire ceremony in one shot. You can adjust the telephoto end for closer shots and even portraits, so it also comes in handy for those family formals.

As a popular wedding photography lens, some manufacturers have multiple versions of it. The difference is often optical image stabilization (IS).

That stabilization helps shoot those dimly lit spaces, especially at slower shutter speeds. This allows you to drop the ISO down. But stabilization isn’t as essential in a wide-angle lens as it is for telephoto and macro.

Due to its popularity, third-party manufacturers got in on the action too. This could help you save some cash when choosing gear for wedding photography.

Nikon AF-S FX 24-70mm f/2.8 ED VR Zoom Lens

Best Mid-Length Nikon Zoom

• Fast f/2.8 maximum aperture
• Up to 4 stops of IS
• Strong construction
• Always-avaliable manual focus

from $1,596. 95

Buy from Amazon

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens

Best Canon Mid-Length Zoom

• Fast and silent USM AF motor
• Sharp across all apertures
• Weather-sealed construction
• Great contrast

from $1,699.00

Buy from Amazon

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 ED GM II Zoom Lens

Best Sony Mid-Range Zoom

• Smooth bokeh
• Focus hold button
• ED and Super ED lens elements
• TIPA Award winner

from $2,298.00

Buy from Amazon

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2. 8L II USM Zoom Lens

Best Independent Mid-Range Zoom

• Great value lens
• Available for several mounts
• In-lens IS
• Quiet HSM AF motor

from $1,699.00

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Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8R LM WR Zoom Lens

Best Fujifilm X-mount Mid-Range Zoom

• Weather and dust-sealed
• 24-84mm full frame equivalent
• ED and aspherical lens elements
• Nano-coating to reduce flare

from $999.00

Buy from Amazon

This Nikon zoom lens is fast, sharp, and performs well in low light.

Brand Canon

Lens Mount EF-Mount

Focal Range 24-70 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 2. 8

Image Stabilization

×

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens

Amazon

$1,699.00 $1,899.00

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Canon’s versatile telephoto is sharp with solid bokeh.

Brand Sony

Lens Mount E-Mount

Focal Range 24-70 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 2.8

Image Stabilization

×

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 SSM ED G Zoom Lens

Amazon

$1,598.00 $2,125.26

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Owners of this Sony praise the bokeh and sharpness and even the video performance.

Brand Canon

Lens Mount EF-Mount

Focal Range 24-70 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 2.8

Image Stabilization

×

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2. 8L II USM Zoom Lens

Amazon

$1,699.00 $1,899.00

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This Sigma offers a similar range and bright aperture for a significantly lower price. Sigma’s Art line is known for high-end quality. There are several mounts available.

Brand Fujifilm

Lens Mount X-Mount

Focal Range 16-55 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 2.8

Image Stabilization

×

Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8R LM WR Zoom Lens

Amazon

$999.00 $1,199.95

Buy Now!

This Fujifilm is a bit wider than the 24-70mm standard. But it maintains the essential aperture for many low-light scenarios. And it offers the sharpness that a wedding photographer needs.

Best 70-200mm Lenses for Wedding Photography

The 70-200mm offers a versatile zoom range and enough focal length to help the subject pop from the background.

The 70-200mm is great for capturing details and close-ups. The long zoom range also makes the lens an option for the portrait section of the day. Its length will help create softer backgrounds. All this while having the aperture a bit wider to keep both the bride and groom in focus.

There’s a downside though. The long focal length and bright aperture mix make this lens a heavy piece of glass. It’s also an expensive addition to your wedding photography kit.

The general rule is to keep your shutter speed above the focal length. While it’s easy to shoot a 50mm at 1/50 s in limited light but the 1/200 s suggested for a 200mm is harder to do. This is where that lens stabilization comes in.

The longer the lens, the more important image stabilization is. If you can only afford to get stabilization on one lens, get it on the longest one in your bag.

Many wedding photographers use both a 24-70mm and a 70-200mm to capture the wedding day. These work particularly well during parts of the day when the pace of events isn’t ideal for lens swaps.

As far as wedding lenses go, this is the most necessary addition.

Nikon AF-S FX 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II Zoom Lens

Best Nikon Long Telephoto Zoom

• Weather-sealed rugged construction
• Up to 4 stops IS, including panning mode
• Fast f/2.8 maximum aperture
• Super-quiet AF motor

from $1,804.95

Buy from Amazon

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Zoom Lens

Best Canon Long Telephoto Zoom

• Adjustable focus and IS modes
• Beautiful bokeh
• Fast and accurate AF
• Bright and sharp at all apertures

from $1,899.00

Buy from Amazon

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2. 8 ED GM OSS Zoom Lens

Best E-Mount Telephoto Zoom

• Lightweight but robust
• Excellent bokeh
• Fast lockable autofocus
• Corner-to-corner sharpness

from $2,798.00

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Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC G2 Zoom Lens for Nikon F-Mount

Best Independent Telephoto Zoom

• Up to 5 stops IS
• Fluorine-coated front element
• Smooth bokeh
• Focuses as close as 37.4" (95 cm)

from $1,149.00

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Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 APO EX DG OS HSM Zoom Lens for Canon EF-Mount

Best Value Telephoto Zoom

• Good value lens
• Five different low dispersion glass elements
• Super-quiet AF motor
• Impressive edge-to-edge sharpness

from $1,489. 00

Buy from Amazon

Brand Nikon

Lens Mount F-Mount

Focal Range 70-200 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 2.8

Image Stabilization

×

Nikon AF-S FX 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR Zoom Lens

Amazon

$1,896.95 $2,346.95

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While expensive, Nikon fans note this lens’ sharpness, speed, and colors. It also includes image stabilization.

Brand Canon

Lens Mount EF-Mount

Focal Range 70-200 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 2.8

Image Stabilization

×

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Zoom Lens

Amazon

$1,899.00 $2,099.00

Buy Now!

Canon photographers rave about this telephoto lens’ mix of sharpness and bokeh with the telephoto zoom range.

Brand Sony

Lens Mount E-Mount

Focal Range 70-200 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 2.8

Image Stabilization

×

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 ED GM OSS Zoom Lens

Amazon

$2,798.00

Buy Now!

This lens is designed with high-end optics and is noted for sharpness, bokeh, Eye AF, and stabilization. It’s also much lighter than almost any other serious 70-200mm lens.

Brand Tamron

Lens Mount F-Mount

Focal Range 70-200 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 2.8

Image Stabilization

×

Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC G2 Zoom Lens for Nikon F-Mount

Amazon

$1,149.00 $1,299.00

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Going with a third-party brand drops the price of a workhorse lens significantly. Fans of it note the sharpness and stabilization.

Brand Sigma

Lens Mount EF-Mount

Focal Range 70-200 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 2.8

Image Stabilization

×

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 APO EX DG OS HSM Zoom Lens for Canon EF-Mount

Amazon

$1,489.00

Buy Now!

Sigma’s second-generation 70-200mm. It’s known for its three to four-stop stabilization system, sharpness, and speed.

Best 85mm and 50mm Prime Lenses for Wedding Photography

Prime lenses offer a brighter aperture than the 70-200mm ones. Some brands even offer more efficient autofocus and higher-quality shots. Without all those zoom components, most prime lenses are also lighter and cheaper.

The 85 mm is an excellent focal length for portraits, particularly on full-frame cameras. The focal length is more flattering than a wider angle. But it still allows you to take portraits in venues with limited space.

Although the background separation isn’t quite as nice as an 85 mm, the 50 mm is also a popular choice for portraits. For wedding photographers who need to make the budget, a 50 mm lens is an excellent option. It offers that bright aperture without the big price tag.

The brighter aperture of an f/1.8 prime will allow for even smoother backgrounds in portraits. Some brands go even wider, down to f/1.4 or f/1.2.

The wider aperture is also excellent for limited light when that f/2.8 isn’t enough to get a nicely lit shot. This lens is helpful during ceremonies and other low-light portions of the day.

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 SLD Art EF HSM Prime Lens For Canon EF-Mount

Best Sigma Prime Portrait Lens

• Excellent optical quality
• Great value at the price
• Solid build quality
• Smooth, attractive bokeh

from $0. 00

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Nikon AF-S FX 85mm f/1.8 Prime Lens

Best Nikon Prime Portrait Lens

• Fast maximum aperture
• Good bokeh at wider apertures
• Sharp images at all apertures
• Quite compact for an 85mm full frame lens

from $426.95

Buy from Amazon

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Prime Lens

Best Value Canon 85mm Lens

• Small and lightweight
• Great value
• Fast silent focus with the USM motor
• Fast sharp f/1.8 maximum aperture

from $499.00

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Sony FE 85mm f/1. 8-22 Prime Lens

Best Value Sony E-Mount 85mm

• Fast f/1.8 maximum aperture
• ED element for reduced chromatic aberration
• Edge-to-edge sharpness
• Exceptional bokeh

from $499.95

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Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 Prime Lens

Best Portrait Lens For Fujifilm X-Mount

• Very sharp at all apertures
• Distortion-free
• Superb smooth bokeh
• All-metal construction

from $699.00

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Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Prime Lens

Best Value Canon Prime Lens

• Fast f/1. 4 maximum aperture
• Always-available manual focus
• Compact and lightweight
• Silent USM AF motor

from $399.00

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Nikon AF-S FX 50mm f/1.8 Prime Lens

Best Value Nikon Standard Prime Lens

• Inexpensive prime lens
• Fast and accurate AF
• Good bokeh
• Compact and lightweight

from $196.95

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Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 Prime Lens

Best Budget Sony Prime Lens

• Exceptionally light and compact
• Great value
• Great bokeh
• Distortion-free

from $248. 00

Buy from Amazon

Brand Sigma

Lens Mount EF-Mount

Focal Range 85 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 1.4

Image Stabilization

×

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 SLD Art EF HSM Prime Lens For Canon EF-Mount

Sigma’s Art series is quickly gaining a following due to the high-end optics. It is ultrabright and the autofocus also performs well.

Brand Nikon

Lens Mount F-Mount

Focal Range 85 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 1.8

Image Stabilization

×

Nikon AF-S FX 85mm f/1.8 Prime Lens

Amazon

$426.95 $479.95

Buy Now!

Bright and affordable, this is Nikon’s best portrait lens for a wedding photographer with a smaller budget.

Brand Canon

Lens Mount EF-Mount

Focal Range 85 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 1.8

Image Stabilization

×

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Prime Lens

Amazon

$499.00

Buy Now!

As a portrait favorite, this Canon lens gets bokeh and sharp subjects for not a lot of cash.

Brand Sony

Lens Mount E-Mount

Focal Range 85 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 1.8

Image Stabilization

×

Sony FE 85mm f/1.8-22 Prime Lens

Amazon

$499.95 $598.00

Buy Now!

A popular option for Sony shooters, it is noted for its sharpness and compact size.

Brand Fujifilm

Lens Mount X-Mount

Focal Range 56 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 1. 2

Image Stabilization

×

Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 Prime Lens

Amazon

$699.00 $999.95

Buy Now!

Equivalent to an 85mm on a full frame body. This Fujifilm uses a crazy bright f/1.2 for nice background bokeh.

Brand Canon

Lens Mount EF-Mount

Focal Range 50 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 1.4

Image Stabilization

×

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Prime Lens

Amazon

$399.00

Buy Now!

With a super bright f/1.4, this Canon has a lot to love about it. For a super low budget, try Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM.

Brand Nikon

Lens Mount F-Mount

Focal Range 50 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 1. 8

Image Stabilization

×

Nikon AF-S FX 50mm f/1.8 Prime Lens

Amazon

$196.95 $219.95

Buy Now!

This is a nice portrait lens that performs well in low light without breaking the bank. The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G is also excellent. But it sits at about twice the price in exchange for that lower aperture.

Brand Sony

Lens Mount E-Mount

Focal Range 50 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 1.8

Image Stabilization

×

Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 Prime Lens

Amazon

$248.00

Buy Now!

Affordable and bright, this Sony is a good portrait option.

Best 35mm Lenses for Wedding Photography

Wedding photography involves storytelling. And sometimes you need a wider lens to capture the shots that tell the story. A prime 35mm is brighter and lighter than a wide telephoto lens.

35mm prime lenses are often bright and affordable. These are excellent for everything. From capturing the entire ceremony setup in one shot to photographing the entire dance floor.

Nikon AF-S FX 35mm f/1.8 ED Prime Lens

Best Mid-Wide Nikon Prime Lens

• Compact and lightweight
• Fast f/1.8 maximum aperture
• Fast AF, with always-available manual
• Almost completely flare-free

from $476.95

Buy from Amazon

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM Prime Lens

Best Premium Canon 35mm Lens

• Exceptionally sharp at all apertures
• Silent AF with the USM motor
• Always-available manual focus
• Beautifully-balanced and easy to use

from $1,999. 00

Buy from Amazon

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM Prime Lens for Canon EF-Mount

Best Value 35mm Prime Lens

• Fast f/1.4 maximum aperture
• Updatable firmware via optional dock system
• Bright clear images
• Great value lens

from $715.00

Buy from Amazon

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2.0R WR Prime Lens

Best Value Mid-Wide Prime Lens For Fujifilm

• All-metal, weather-sealed construction
• Light and compact
• Aperture ring
• No focus breathing

from $449.00

Buy from Amazon

Brand Nikon

Lens Mount F-Mount

Focal Range 35 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 1. 8

Image Stabilization

×

Nikon AF-S FX 35mm f/1.8 ED Prime Lens

Amazon

$476.95 $526.95

Buy Now!

Wide, bright, and lightweight, this Nikon is a popular option for getting wide shots of the wedding day.

Brand Canon

Lens Mount EF-Mount

Focal Range 35 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 1.4

Image Stabilization

×

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM Prime Lens

Amazon

$1,999.00

Buy Now!

This Canon lens is pricey for a prime. But photographers who have shot with it praise its sharpness as well as that extra-wide aperture.

Brand Sigma

Lens Mount EF-Mount

Focal Range 35 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 1. 4

Image Stabilization

×

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM Prime Lens for Canon EF-Mount

Amazon

$715.00 $899.00

Buy Now!

The Sigma option still has a crazy wide f/1.4 without quite such a high price point.

Brand Fujifilm

Lens Mount X-Mount

Focal Range 23 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 2.0

Image Stabilization

×

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2.0R WR Prime Lens

Amazon

$449.00

Buy Now!

This compact lens is the equivalent of a 35mm on a full-frame camera. It’s known for its fast performance and bokeh.

Best Macro Lenses for Wedding Photography

Ring shots and detail photos may only make up some of the wedding albums, but they are important.

Along with ring shots, a macro lens captures other details like flowers or architecture. You can even use them for portraits, like a shot of the bride’s eyelashes and makeup.

Macro lenses come in all different focal lengths and apertures. A longer focal length will offer more separation for the background. But getting close-up shots on a macro level already provides significant softness. That means an f/1.2 isn’t necessary for a wedding photographer.

If you do pick up a brighter macro lens, you don’t have to use it for just macro. Many lenses allow you to switch off the close-up mode, which results in shooting like a normal lens. Buying a bright macro that doubles as a portrait prime can help stretch the budget.

Like with a telephoto, stabilization is more important on a macro than a wide-angle. The close magnification will exaggerate any camera shake.

Nikon AF-S FX 105mm f/2.8 IF-ED VR Prime Lens

Best Nikon True Macro Lens

• Fast autofocus
• Always-available manual focus
• Genuine macro 1:1 reproduction
• Pleasing bokeh

from $429. 99

Buy from Amazon

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Prime Lens

Best Premium Canon 100mm Lens

• Superb image quality
• Lightening-fast, silent autofocus
• Beautiful bokeh
• Fully weatherproof

from $1,299.00

Buy from Amazon

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 APO EX DG OS HSM Prime Lens for Canon EF-Mount

Best Budget Macro Lens

• Great price for the lens quality
• Amazing optical stabilizer
• Floating Inner Focus
• Fast auto focus abilities

from $569.00

Buy from Amazon

Tamron 90mm f/2. 8 Di VC USD Prime Lens for Canon EF-Mount

Best Third Party 90mm Lens

• Weather-sealed
• Fast f/2.8 maximum aperture
• Stops down to f/32
• Good bokeh

from $599.95

Buy from Amazon

Sony FE 90mm f/2.8-22 SSM ED G OSS Prime Lens

Best Sony Macro Lens

• Simple push-pull A/M focus switch
• Fast, silent AF
• Excellent bokeh
• Superbly sharp images

from $998.00

Buy from Amazon

Fujifilm XF 80mm f/2.8R LM OIS WR Prime Lens

Best Macro Lens For Fujifilm X-Mount

• Superb optics
• Up to 5 stops of IS
• Weather-sealed
• Fast and accurate AF

from $1,199. 00

Buy from Amazon

Brand Nikon

Lens Mount F-Mount

Focal Range 105 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 2.8

Image Stabilization

×

Nikon AF-S FX 105mm f/2.8 IF-ED VR Prime Lens

Amazon

$429.99 $899.95

Buy Now!

It has a life-sized 1:1 magnification and stabilization. This lens is a popular choice for Nikon shooters.

Brand Canon

Lens Mount EF-Mount

Focal Range 100 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 2.8

Image Stabilization

×

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Prime Lens

Amazon

$1,299.00

Buy Now!

Bright, long and stabilized, this Canon lens has an excellent reputation. (If you’re on a budget, consider the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM.)

Brand Sigma

Lens Mount EF-Mount

Focal Range 105 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 2.8

Image Stabilization

×

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 APO EX DG OS HSM Prime Lens for Canon EF-Mount

Amazon

$569.00 $969.00

Buy Now!

This Sigma macro offers stabilization and a 1:1 ratio. Some wedding photographers suggest that the autofocus is a bit slower than the equivalent from big brands.

Brand Tamron

Lens Mount EF-Mount

Focal Range 90 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 2.8

Image Stabilization

×

Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Prime Lens for Canon EF-Mount

Amazon

$599. 95

Buy Now!

This Tamron lens has life-size reproductions and stabilization. But it doesn’t have nearly as high of a price. Like the Sigma, the complaints are mostly about the autofocus.

Brand Sony

Lens Mount E-Mount

Focal Range 90 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 2.8

Image Stabilization

×

Sony FE 90mm f/2.8-22 SSM ED G OSS Prime Lens

Amazon

$998.00 $1,098.00

Buy Now!

Sony’s 90mm macro boasts stabilization, internal focus, and a 1:1 magnification.

Brand Fujifilm

Lens Mount X-Mount

Focal Range 80 mm

Maximum Aperture f/ 2.8

Image Stabilization

×

Fujifilm XF 80mm f/2. 8R LM OIS WR Prime Lens

Amazon

$1,199.00

Buy Now!

This Fujifilm offers a 120mm equivalent and shoots close enough to get a 1:1 ratio. The body is also weather sealed.

How Many Wedding Lenses Do You Need?

A wedding photographer needs enough focal lengths to cover the wedding from start to finish. How many lenses that means is different for every photographer.

Photographers with enough clients to support a big budget may have one lens in each category. They might even have a few duplicates as backups. Others may shoot with only two or three lenses.

The choice of a focal length also varies based on style. Some favor the separating power of a big lens. Others enjoy the storytelling feel of a wide-angle that captures the full scene.

Lenses are difficult to judge based on tech specs alone. If you’re still not sure if you should get that pricey brand name or a third-party lens, try renting one.

Renting is an affordable way to rest easy in your choice. Some rental companies will allow you to buy the rental lens if you end up liking it. If you don’t, it’s a much cheaper loss than finding you don’t use that focal length after purchasing it.

Prioritize what focal lengths you need most to capture the entire event in your own style.

Conclusion

Choosing the best lens for wedding photography is important. You need it to capture the entirety of the day.

The most popular lenses for this niche are the 24-70mm and 70-200mm bright zooms. For primes, think of the 85mm, 50mm 35mm, and a macro.

The overall winner is this superb Canon zoom lens.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM

Capture stunning wedding moments with a professional-grade telephoto lens, featuring superior image stabilization and fast autofocus.

Buy from Amazon

×

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Zoom Lens

Amazon

$1,899. 00 $2,099.00

Buy Now!

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Best Wedding Photography Lenses

WEDDING

Felicia Sisco and Fabio Mirulla, Canon Ambassadors and award-winning photographers with numerous clients around the world, talk about the best lenses for wedding photography.

Wedding and fashion photographer Felicia Sisko says that if she had to choose just one lens to shoot her entire wedding, she would choose the Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM. “This is the perfect photo for me,” she says. “The f/1.2 aperture provides incredible detail and beautiful background blur.” Taken on a Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM lens at 1/8000 sec, f/1.2 and ISO400. © Felicia Sisko

Whether you're photographing a touching secret wedding, an intimate wedding celebration, a fancy ceremony, or a traditional big wedding, choosing the right equipment is the most important thing. What are the best Canon lenses for wedding photography? What should I look for when choosing a Canon lens for wedding photography? And what lenses are both reliable and fast focusing so you can get great results time and time again?

We spoke with Felicia Sisco, a world famous wedding photographer from Paris and Corsica, and Fabio Mirulla from the suburbs of Florence, Italy, who was awarded the main prize at the International Wedding Photographer of the Year 2021 competition. In this article, our specialists in wedding photographers will talk about their gear and favorite Canon lenses for wedding photography. In addition, Mike Burnhill, Lead Product Specialist for Canon Europe, will talk about how the technology in these lenses makes them so suitable for the genre.

Felicia likes to shoot close-ups and stay in the center of the action. “The RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM allows me to stay in the moment and shoot with a wide angle of view but without distortion,” she says. Taken on a Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM lens at 15mm, 1/320 sec, f/4.5 and ISO500. © Felicia Sisko

1. Best wide-angle lens for photography ambient portraits: Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM

Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6. “It's also ideal for close-up shots of subjects in the environment, such as when a newlywed is cutting a wedding cake. And if the wedding takes place in a picturesque location, with this lens you can also include a beautiful environment in the frame. ”

Regarding its specifications, Mike says: “It's a great all-around lens with a wide aperture that allows you to shoot indoors during a banquet or on a dance floor. The wide-angle zoom range is ideal for shooting in churches and other wedding venues, and this model's optical stabilization works in conjunction with the IBIS system on the new EOS R-series cameras to deliver incredibly sharp photos and smooth handheld video."

Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM

Wide-angle zoom and fast aperture make this lens effective for indoor and outdoor wedding portraits and group photos, as well as incorporating environmental elements into the frame.

More information 

“The RF 85mm F1.2 is the main lens in my arsenal,” says Felicia. “I wouldn't be able to work without him. I use it not only for individual portraits, but also for shooting small groups of people and various details.” Taken on a Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM lens at 1/100 sec, f/2.8 and ISO500. © Felicia Sisko

Fabio, who also shoots with the EOS R5 and EOS R6, really appreciates the ability to capture detail with the RF 85mm F1.2L USM lens, which allows you to work with background blur while maintaining rich color tones. Taken on a Canon EOS R6 with a Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM lens at 1/250 sec, f/2 and ISO125. © Fabio Mirulla

2. Best lens for capturing details: Canon RF 85mm F1. 2L USM

“For me, one of the most important moments of a wedding is preparing the bride for the ceremony,” says Felicia. “Of course, the groom is equally important, but when the bride puts on her wedding dress after doing her hair and makeup, it’s a truly magical moment. I feel that shooting bridal portraits is the most important part of my job and no lens can do it better than the Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM. Its focal length and aperture allow me to focus on key details like the bride's eyes and defocus everything else, creating a subtle bokeh effect. This lens allows you to capture the bride in all its glory. However, its possibilities are not limited to this. I use it in conjunction with the Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM for most of the wedding ceremony.”

Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM

This lens offers sharp images, excellent skin tones, and incredibly beautiful out-of-focus bokeh.

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Fabio, who also works with the RF 85mm F1.2L USM, recently shot at a wedding using only prime lenses. “Prix lenses are like a way to fight laziness. You have to move and look for the right positions to capture every moment. And when I move, I notice other interesting and exciting details. The high lens precision and incredible autofocus systems on my EOS R5 and EOS R6 help me capture them. When working in a picturesque location, especially outside the city, you can focus on the details and blur all unnecessary, while maintaining a bright color scheme.

“The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM is one of Canon's iconic lenses, but its new counterpart in the RF range delivers amazing portraits,” adds Mike. - It provides high definition when focusing on the eyes, however, softening the focus will best capture skin tones - the person in the frame will look attractive, and the detail will be optimal, not excessive. This lens is famous for its incredible bokeh effect. The DS (Defocus Smoothing) version (Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS) provides an even stronger bokeh effect. To soften the contours of rounded bokeh, which usually occurs when light sources in the frame, such as candles and garlands, are blurred, a two-layer coating is used.

When shooting at f/1.2, the Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM lens allows you to completely separate the subject from the background - in this case, the emphasis is on the eyes of people in the frame. Taken on a Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM lens at 1/8000 sec, f/1.2 and ISO250. © Fabio Mirulla

3. Best lens for focusing on main subject: Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM

“This is an incredible lens,” says Felicia. — If I had to choose only one lens for shooting a wedding, I would choose this one. I prefer movement and human interaction to zooming, and the Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM fits my style perfectly. When I create portraits, including newlyweds, it provides an organic perspective; The ultra-fast aperture makes it easy to work even in low light, and the shallow depth of field helps separate the subject from the background.”

Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM

The 50mm f/1.2 prime lens delivers exceptional clarity and sharpness across the frame for exceptional results even in low light.

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Fabio comments: “The aperture of this lens makes it possible to shoot even in the smallest amount of light. It produces superb images when I shoot in a church or at a candlelit banquet. As for portraits, I don't want people to look at the image and think about the beauty of the location. Blurring the background allows you to draw the viewer's attention to the people in the frame.

Mike calls it "Canon's game-changing lens" as it empowers both photographers and videographers. “In the past, opening the aperture as wide as possible resulted in poor overall image quality. This lens has changed everything: not only does it deliver superb image quality, but it also allows you to use the widest aperture possible in low light conditions or for shallow depth of field.”

“I love shooting with challenging light,” says Felicia. I even closed the blinds, and thanks to the light on the splashes of water, the shot turned out to be even more interesting. The high aperture of the RF 28-70mm F2L USM allows you to create the effect of stopping time, and all objects look the way they want.” Taken on a Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM lens at 31mm, 1/200 sec, f/2. 2 and ISO1250. © Felicia Sisko

“I usually prefer to work with prime lenses, but because of the videographer, it was not possible for me to position myself,” says Felicia. “I attached an RF 28-70mm F2L USM lens to the camera and the zoom helped me get the right shot even in those conditions.” Taken on a Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM lens at 41mm, 1/6400 sec, f/2 and ISO400. © Felicia Sisko

4. Best zoom lens for wedding photography: Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM

“There are times during weddings when I can't get into the position I want to shoot from, and that's when this zoom lens gives me the flexibility I need,” says Felicia. — I hate shooting with flash, and during the ceremony it is often not allowed at all, but the wide f / 2 aperture allows you to shoot without additional light sources. Its range of focal lengths is ideal for capturing moments such as exchanging rings and the first kiss, and its aperture allows you to work with fast enough shutter speeds to capture even fleeting moments. It is also suitable for taking group photos and capturing natural shots during a banquet."

Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM

Affordable zoom range and wide f/2 aperture make this zoom lens an excellent choice for versatile wedding photography.

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Mike is particularly impressed with the Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM's zoom capabilities. “It delivers stunning image quality and high aperture, which is usually considered a feature of prime lenses. This range of focal lengths and f/2 aperture make it easy to forget about the need to carry several prime lenses with you and switch between them. A zoom lens will also help you not miss a moment due to changing lenses. The zoom range of this model allows you to shoot in almost any wedding photography scenario - what's more, it offers low-light and background blur capabilities." If you're shooting with a DSLR, the closest equivalent is the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM, which can be easily mounted to EOS R-series cameras via the Canon EF-EOS R mount adapter.

“The RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM lens is great for natural photography,” says Felicia. “I can shoot from a distance and get organic close-up shots, while the f/2.8 aperture allows for beautifully blurred backgrounds.” Taken on a Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM lens at 200mm, 1/8000 sec, f/2.8 and ISO250. © Felicia Sisko

5. Best telephoto lens for portrait photography. outdoor shooting: Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

“This lens is perfect for capturing organically people relaxing and socializing outside after a ceremony,” says Felicia. “If you need to keep your distance, the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is perfect for its zoom range and aperture.” However, this lens is not only suitable for shooting street portraits. “During the ceremony, when the priest or the manager of the wedding palace makes a speech, I try to take pictures of the guests who are sitting in their seats,” says Felicia. “Obviously at this time I can’t walk freely around the hall, so the telephoto range of focal lengths helps me a lot. ”

Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

The combination of zoom range, fast aperture and image stabilization with up to 8 stops of exposure (when attached to cameras with IBIS) makes this lens an indispensable tool in the wedding photographer's arsenal.

More information 

“The 70-200mm f/2.8 telephoto lens is in the arsenal of just about every professional wedding photographer,” agrees Mike. “The telephoto range and high aperture allow you to shoot subjects even from a distance, making it ideal for discreetly shooting guests and blurring distracting objects in the background.”

Canon also offers a wide range of prime lenses ideal for wedding portraits. “When we're doing an outdoor couple shoot and I'm tempted to create incredible bokeh, the Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM lens is just perfect. This is one of my favorite lenses,” says Fabio. “I can use it with a maximum aperture of f/2 because it provides incredible image quality. And when mounted on an EOS R5 or EOS R6 via the EF-EOS R mount adapter, I also get image stabilization capabilities.

The banquet is my favorite part of the celebration. “It is at this time that I get the chance to tell about this day. For realistic shots, I use a Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM lens. In my opinion, the 24mm focal length is ideal for getting close to people and keeping up with everything; it also works great with EOS R cameras when mounted with the EF-EOS R adapter. I also really like the Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM. This lens offers an incredibly wide angle of view in a compact body.”

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6 lenses every wedding photographer should have

Wedding photography is a unique combination of almost all genres of photography. It successfully combines portrait and fashion photography, architectural and macro photography, photos of various dishes, products from family photos and children's photography, and even sometimes the genre of travel photography.

In order to end up with a real wedding photo album, you will need a certain set of lenses that will capture all the details of the ceremony in the best way, from an artistic point of view, and bring a certain amount of creativity. If we had unlimited opportunities, we would bring a bunch of the most diverse optics with us to the shooting, but in reality we are limited both physically (it’s simply inconvenient to carry a lot with us) and financially. We need lenses that we can easily fit in a small bag and that are high quality and versatile.

Here is a highly subjective list of 6 lenses that, according to the authors, every wedding photographer should have. It should be noted that the authors of this article prefer to use mostly an open aperture and shoot with a Canon 5D Mark II. From here it is easy to guess that the proposed lenses are for Canon cameras, however, each lens has an analogue for DSLR cameras from other manufacturers.

My favorite lens. At f / 2.8, it produces excellent bokeh (blur). And the compression that is achieved when zooming from 150 to 200 mm is unlikely to be obtained by any other lens. The lens also allows you to bring the necessary elements of the ceremony closer, allowing the photographer not to burden the important moments of the ceremony with his presence, such as in this photo:

Optics allows you to capture relaxed smiles at a banquet and tears of joy at the ceremony itself at a respectful distance:

lens also from a series of my favorites. Allows you to continue shooting when it starts to get dark, while still allowing you to capture the background. With this lens, you don't depend on the flash, and the photos are softer and more natural, like at this outdoor dance:

The 50mm focal length also makes for great wide aperture portraits – the shallow depth of field makes your subject stand out and softens their skin.

This lens is a must for tight spaces. For example, the tea ceremony at a Chinese wedding usually takes place in the living room. The 70-200 lens does not have the proper angle of view and distance to objects for this case, and the 50mm lens will not provide enough variability, since it is unlikely that it will be possible to move around this room.

Usually if the bride and groom spend thousands of dollars on wedding detail, they obviously expect the same amount of detail from you as the photographer. With a 100mm macro lens, you can capture these details with the quality of a watch ad in a glossy magazine. With such optics, with the skillful use of creativity and play with light, you can get, for example, these photos of wedding rings:

5. Lens 15mm f/2.8 - Fisheye (For full frame sensors. For cropped sensors, you should use 8 - 10mm).

The fisheye lens is important for shots with unique angles. In such frames, the eye seems to be drawn to the center and creates a feeling of unreality of what is happening. In this way, ultra-wide shots are created that cover the entire venue of the wedding ceremony, such as in the following photo:

Use this lens to photograph mass events, such as dancing at a banquet, like this Indian ceremony: allowing nevertheless to observe the smiles and emotions of people.

Sometimes a 24-70 lens isn't enough to capture everything you want. In such cases, an ultra wide-angle lens will come to the rescue, which will allow you to fit into the frame everything that is around the wedding ceremony, for example, as at this wedding on the streets of San Francisco:

Lenses not in Top 6 but worthy of mention:
1. 85mm f/1.2L II USM
A great lens, but not necessary if you're happy with 70-200mm photos.
2. 24-105mm f/4L
The great advantage of this lens is its versatility. But as mentioned above, we tend to shoot wide open, and f/4 doesn't always produce the desired bokeh and shutter speed.

I hope you enjoyed the article. If so, please feel free to comment on it.

Source: Lin and Jirsa

Translation: Alexander Kimlyk

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