[Ed Farmer]

On another site, I saw someone post asking, "What is your favorite lens for wedding work?"

When I was shooting medium format film, it was clearly the 180 on my RB67.  If you asked me two or three years ago, it would have been my new 18-125 Sigma because it allowed me to concentrate on what I was shooting instead what lens I needed to mount to shoot it.  The last two years I would have named my 80-200f2.8.

This year it is something new . . . Sometime last year I lost 85f1.8 Nikkor.  I know what wedding it was, but I reached into my bag and it wasn't there.  I couldn't remember when I had used it last.  It was just gone.

At the start of this year I headed out to my favorite camera store to replace it.  I was looking at about $400 for a new one (the used prices were so close that it didn't make any sense not to buy new.)  I started talking with the young lady working behind the counter.  She also shoots weddings and I was telling her the 85 had been one of my favorite film lenses, but that it was a little long for digital work.  Still, I felt wrong without it.

She suggested that I take a look at the 50f1.4 instead.  Wider and faster . . . it sounded like an interesting combination and it was only about $250!  I bought it figuring that they have a two week return policy and I fell in love with it!

As it ended up, I shoot very  few people pictures with it, but I have gone crazy shooting "detail" type pictures with it.  I am posting a few here . . .

Has anyone else had a pleasant surprise this year?

Ed

[Ginnypenny]

Wow, those are gorgeous.  My husband is the detail shooter and likes wider lenses for it.  I am the people shooter.

I wish I had the new Nikon VR lens, 18-200mm.  But I need a new computer and my car fixed first.

I did buy new studio lights lately, and I homemade a modifier out of tinfoil that I love. 

[Mike Hodgson]

Susie, I would love that lens too, however, my brother has one, so, I'll use it when I get the chance.

No lenses Ed, however, I did buy a background and two air cushion stands, here's a pic of my son.

[Ryan]

No new lenses since last year, but there aren't any on my "need to get" list either.  I do have the Canon 50mm 1.8 which is one of my favorites.  The problem is it's so small it tends to disappear in my bag and I forget about it.  But the shots I've taken with it have always been nice and sharp.  Plus it was about 60 bucks.

The last lens I bought was a Sigma 12-24mm.  Up until I got it the widest lens I had was 24mm, and I had access to a 17mm that I could borrow.  The first wedding I shot with it was in a tiny church, big bridal party, and they wanted a picture with everybody in it so I backed up as far as I could and clicked my new lens on.  Then we moved on to smaller groups and I switched back to my 24-70, setting the 12-24 down on a pew.  You should be able to guess by now where this is going.  Later at the reception they wanted another shot with every person in it, and we were in a little backyard so I went digging into my bag for the 12-24 and it wasn't there.  We left the reception about an hour later and drove straight to the church.  The door was still open and the lens was sitting right where I had left it.

An 18-200 is on my wish list.  I like the idea of having one lens that I could leave on the camera while I'm out walking around. 

[Ed Farmer]

Everybody has been lined up to buy the 18-200VR for two years now.  I really have no interest since my 18-125 covers most of the range and was under $300. 

I don't really get VR for wedding/portrait work.  Longer shutter speeds mean that your subject has to be more still.  This just doesn't happen in my experience!  I have sound that speed in a lens is worth more to me. 

Ed

[Ginnypenny]

Well, the issue with the VR is that I am really not steady, I practice and consciously think about it, but I shake like a little old lady or something, geez.
Travis has a VR lens that I borrowed for a fashion show in a dark place, no flash allowed, and it really worked well, however it wasn't the 18mm one, it was a lot longer, I don't remember what it was, but for wedding work I really need something wider.

I got new air cushioned light stands too actually, three of them.

Does new paint count?  I painted one wall a dark dusty purple and another a baby pink color.   

Here is an album page with images from my pink wall.

[Ginnypenny]

And Mike, your son looks like he is going to be a tall kid.  How old is he?

[Marian Murdoch]

I wish I had the new Nikon VR lens, 18-200mm.  But I need a new computer and my car fixed first.

I love my 18-200mm. It's what I use almost all the time.

New this year? Oh! My remote shutter release. How I lived without it, I'll never know, ha ha.

[Mike Hodgson]

He's 12 Susie, I'm sure he might reach 6.   

Air cushions, aren't they great, you don't have to worry about letting go of the stand, it all goes down like a nice slow ride on an elevator. haha

Susie, MEOWWWWWWWWWWW, love the work, great colors, works for me. 

[Ginnypenny]

Air cushions - yeah they are safe.... but I am impatient, I find myself pushing them down, so they won't be so dang slow, lol.

Travis actually talked me into 10 foot light stands with air cushioning, even though I have 8 foot ceilings.  I am way happy with them though.  I am taking them to a reception next month and I am excited I have taller ones than I was originally going to buy.  I should take Travis shoe shopping...

12?  Yeah, he'll be tall.  My husband is 6'2", which rocks because I am 5'7" and can wear super tall heels and still not be taller than he is.

[Mike Hodgson]

Thanks for the tag on an image at M.M.
BTW, give Nicole a go, I'll bet she'll do great both Boudoir and Pin Up.

I'm 5'11" Nathan's Grampa and Uncles are 6-6'2" he just might do it.

[Ginnypenny]

how funny you say that about Nicole.  I was just considering using her to try out a new hair and makeup artist.  I'll post results if it happens

[Mike Hodgson]

I KNOW WHAT I SEES       

[Ginnypenny]

I KNOW WHAT I SEES       

And you have a good eye for pretty girls... I wonder if there is a market for that talent. 

[Mike Hodgson]