As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Wedding photography is perhaps one of the most technical and difficult types of photography to execute for a photographer. Weddings are a beautiful occasion and a very big day for the bride and groom. Thus, you are expected to be on your toes and deliver your absolute best.
You might have to take portraits, with a natural background and even pictures of the ceremonies and dances. To capture all these photos, a separate set of techniques are required, which sets wedding photography apart from any other kind.
Therefore, having the right equipment will make a world of difference. However, with the abundance of lenses in the market, it can be confusing for a consumer to pick one. To help you, here’s a detailed guide, which includes all there is to know about the right wedding lenses, plus some excellent recommendations.
Contents
Review of the Best Nikon Lenses For Wedding Photography
There are plenty of lenses out there, however, it might be difficult to pick one. Thus, we’ve reviewed some of the best lenses for Nikon available in the market for wedding photography. All of these are products from reputable brands, offer great-quality performance, and are incredibly reliable.
Best Overall: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G
PROS
- Silent Wave Motor enables ultra-high-speed and silent auto-focusing
- Professional-grade construction, dust-resistant, and moisture-resistant
- Features a rugged construction which allows it to work in challenging situations
- Fast and fixed f/2.8 aperture enables outstanding low-light performance
- Advanced optical formulas produce exceptional sharpness, contrast, and color which results in incredible image quality
- Three extra-low dimension (ED) glass and precision glass-mold aspherical lens elements control chromatic aberrations alongside
CONS
- Does not have image stabilization
- On the much higher-end price range
- Placement of the zoom ring and focus ring makes it less intuitive to work with
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are very fond of this unit. Its versatility, coupled with the superior quality images it provides, makes it a consumer favorite. It is incredibly durable and works for multiple conditions, which is why it is such an incredible investment. Furthermore, its low-light performance is also exceptional.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We found this unit to be leaps and bounds better than many of its counterparts in terms of image quality. It has incredible features that make its operation smooth and provide high-contrast, sharp images. The Silent Wave Motor allows fast and quiet auto-focus, which allows it to be accurate and efficient.
Who Will Use This Most
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR is perfect for professionals. It is incredibly fast, versatile, and offers great-quality images, as it offers fast wide-angle to medium-telephoto zoom capability. Beginners might find it hard to operate as it is heavy and large, plus does not offer image stabilization. Thus, it is best suited for people with at least some expertise in the field.
Bottom Line
Overall, this unit is incredibly well-designed and is a favorite of professionals. It’s relatively pricier than other lenses, but its performance and features justify the price point. The image quality that it promises is phenomenal. Therefore, it surely is a worthy investment
- Focal Length Range : 24 70 mm
- Minimum Focus Distance : 1.2 ft.( 0.38 m)
- Exceptional low light performance
Runner-up: Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED
PROS
- Single Wave Motor for ultra-quiet and efficient auto-focusing
- IF technology allows the lens to focus without changing in size
- Built-in vibration reduction minimizes blur caused by camera shake
- Five ED glass elements control chromatic aberration and enhance contrast and sharpness
- Features a rugged construction as the unit is protected by a dust and waterproof rubber-sealing mount
CONS
- Construction is heavy and large
- Metal body tends to scratch easily
- VR doesn’t work well in active mode
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are very happy with the construction of this unit. It is incredibly reliable for taking good pictures. It is able to work well, even in unfavorable conditions due to its solid, dust-proof, and waterproof construction. However, buyers did find it to be slightly heavy and to work better with a tripod. Despite that, they loved how it could reduce blurriness and enhance contrast, promising excellent images.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stood out to us for several reasons, one of them being its incredible design. This unit is well-engineered to be ergonomic and allows one to capture quality images with ease. Five ED glass control chromatic aberrations, which is why the images it produces are sharp and crisp. Furthermore, vibration reduction minimizes blur, and SWM allows quiet and efficient auto-focusing.
Who Will Use This Most
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED is perfect for professionals and beginners. It might require a little patience in the beginning, as it is pretty heavy. However, it is equipped with features such as vibration reduction, which minimize human error and allow the lens to capture crisp and sharp images. Furthermore, it is advanced enough to meet the needs of professionals.
Bottom Line
All in all, this unit is truly a winner. There aren’t many lenses in the market which promise quality construction and provide such great image quality. Nikon is expected to deliver nothing but the best and is a highly reliable brand, which makes this lens such a great product. It proves to be a great investment.
- Compact, lightweight G-type fast 2.9x telephoto zoom with Vibration Reduction
- VR operation offers the equivalent of using a shutter speed 3 stops (eight times) faster
- Holds fast and constant f2.8 maximum aperture through the entire focal range
Best for the Money: Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G
PROS
- Very budget-friendly, thus accessible to more people
- Silent Wave Motor allows quiet and efficient auto-focusing
- Lightweight and compact model, which is portable and travel-friendly
- Fast maximum aperture of f/1.8 performs exceptionally, even in low-light conditions
- Offers M/A focus switch mode for an easy and efficient switch between auto-focus and manual focus
CONS
- Background bokeh isn’t the best
- Focuses on moving objects slowly
- Image stabilization isn’t its best suit
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are surprised by the performance of this unit, as it promises such a good value for the money. It is comparable to many high-end cameras in terms of its performance and the features it carries. Consumers love that it is so lightweight and compact, which makes it an easy lens to travel with and carry around.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stood out to us for offering incredible features and producing high-quality images at a very reasonable price. This unit features the Silent Wave Motor technology, which makes auto-focusing efficient and quiet, so you don’t disturb your subject. Furthermore, it works well even in low-lighting conditions on the maximum aperture of f/1.8.
Who Will Use This Most
Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is perfect for beginners as it is lightweight, intuitive, and easy to operate, yet offers a great range of features to learn new skills on. Furthermore, it is great for taking with you while you’re traveling, as it features very sturdy construction, which is compact and portable.
Bottom Line
Overall, this unit is a great product to place your bets on. If you’re just starting out with photography and need an affordable lens you can experiment with, then this would be a great investment. It can capture exceptionally high-quality pictures and features a very ergonomic construction.
- Fast aperture medium telephoto lens
- Internal focus, focal length: 85 millimeter, minimum focus range: 0.80 meter
- Silent wave motor (SWM). Number of diaphragm blades: 7 (rounded diaphragm opening)
Best Lens for Wedding Photography Nikon D7000: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G
PROS
- Offers a bright viewfinder alongside a beautiful bokeh
- Silent Wave Motor enables fast and quiet auto-focusing
- Wider aperture allows shooting crisp and sharp images
- Promises excellent performance in low-light conditions, as well
- Features a nano-crystal coating which dramatically reduces ghosting and lens flare
- M/A focus mode switch allows to easily and quickly switch between manual and auto-focus operation
CONS
- Auto-focus is slow at times
- On the much higher-end of the spectrum
- At full aperture, it seems to have color fringing
What Recent Buyers Report
Consumers find this product to be incredibly well-built and reliable. It carries multiple features that allow it to capture great pictures in a wide variety of settings and lighting conditions, making it perfect for wedding photography. Furthermore, it seems to be incredible at taking portraits, as many buyers commended it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us for featuring an innovative design packed with features. It has Silent Wave Motor technology, which allows the auto-focusing to be quick and silent. Plus, it offers an incredibly bright viewfinder and has a beautiful background blur, which allows it to take gorgeous portraits.
Who Will Use This Most
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G is the perfect camera lens for wedding photography. It offers excellent bokeh and can take stunning portraits. Furthermore, the auto-focus is silent and efficient. It also allows M/A focus mode switch, so one can easily and quickly switch between auto and manual focus.
Bottom Line
It truly is one of the best units you will get your hands on. It is slightly on the more expensive side of the spectrum, but the design offered is incredibly innovative and highly functional. Furthermore, the construction is of great quality and the image quality produced is exceptional, as well.
- Ultra-fast f1.4 classic portrait lens, Nano Crystal Coat
- Focal Length : 85 mm, Minimum Focus Distance : 3.0 ft. (0.85m). Compatible Format(s)- FX, DX, FX in...
- Optimized for edge to edge sharpness on both FX and DX cameras;Closest focusing distance:0.85 m
Best Nikon Wide-Angle Lens for Wedding Photography: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G
PROS
- Compact and lightweight construction makes it portable and travel-friendly
- Works well for lower ISO settings which makes it perfect for low-light performance
- Maximum aperture setting of f/1.8 allows it to produce exceptional blurred backgrounds
- Aspherical lens and extra-low dispersion glass elements control lens flare and chromatic aberration
- Offers an ultra-wide view of 20mm thus, works exceptionally well for capturing architecture, wedding parties, landscapes, etc.
CONS
- Lens hood is slightly loose
- Not the best for astrophotography
- Some buyers complained of it being non-resistant to dust accumulation
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are happy with purchasing this unit. Nikon never disappoints and has delivered great quality construction and exceptional image quality with this unit, as well. This product, too, like many other Nikon products, is highly durable and very reliable for consumers. Not only does this make it a favorite, but these qualities also compel users to recommend it to others.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR stood out to us for multiple reasons. First, it is incredibly well-constructed, which translates to it being of great quality, easy to work with, and ergonomic. Moreover, it offers great low-light performance and controls lens flare and chromatic aberration efficiently. Plus, it produces sharp and crisp images.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit is perfect for wide-angle photography. Thus, it is great to add to your kit for taking pictures of landscapes, architecture, wedding parties, etc. Its construction is lightweight and compact, which makes it great to take with you while traveling. Furthermore, it is great for beginners, too.
Bottom Line
This unit is incredibly well-built and of exceptional quality. It truly would be a great addition to your kit and is the perfect lens for wide-angle photography. It’s highly reliable and equipped with great features, which make user operation easy. Overall, it is a great investment.
- Compact, lightweight, FX-format lens that combines the ultra-wide perspective of a 20mm focal...
- Maximum reproduction Ratio: 0.23x.Aspherical lens elements and extra-low Dispersion glass elements...
- Innovative silent Wave Motor (SWM) uses ultrasonic waves for fast, accurate, near quiet autofocusing...
Comparison of the Best Nikon Lenses For Wedding Photography
What is a Wedding Lens?
Not all lenses will work for weddings, as each lens has a different expertise. Weddings offer different lighting conditions and require a lens capable of being highly versatile. A great wedding lens is capable of offering consistent results in different lighting conditions. Furthermore, oftentimes, multiple lenses are equipped to cover different aspects of wedding photography.
Why Did These Lenses Make Our List?
You may wonder, what makes the products we recommended so special? How are they better than so many other options available in the market? Well, here are some factors which make these products stand out from the rest:
Durability
These units are incredibly durable. You shouldn’t worry about them breaking or being constructed of low-quality material. These units have a metal construction, which is mounted with rubber seal to make them dust-resistant and waterproof. Therefore, overall, these are very reliable, as well.
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G
Versatility
These units offer great versatility in terms of their working conditions. Not only are they capable of working for different types of photography, but they are also great for use under different lighting conditions.
Image Quality
These units are equipped with features such as ED glass elements, SWM, etc., which reduce lens flare and allow easy focusing, so they are able to produce great-quality images.
What Do I Need to Know Before Buying a Wedding Lens?
There are multiple aspects to consider before buying a wedding lens. Let’s take a look at them, as they will help you make the right purchase.
Budget
Lenses can be pretty expensive, especially if you are buying a wedding lens. This is because wedding lenses are meant to have more features and greater versatility to take incredible pictures in different conditions. Thus, it’s best to set a budget for yourself and start looking for lenses that are suitable for that budget.
Brand
As mentioned earlier, lenses can have a very hefty price tag. Thus, it is very important for them to be of great quality and from a reputable brand. This will ensure they are highly reliable units and justified long-term investments.
Accessories and Added Features
Check the accessories that come with the lens, as they might make it a bit more expensive, but it’ll be of better value since you won’t have to buy them separately. Features such as image stabilization are not necessary to have, especially if you are a professional, however, it is a great added feature. Furthermore, ED glass elements are another good feature, as they control chromatic aberration and allow the lens to produce a sharper and crisper picture.
People Also Ask
A lot of times, people find buying lenses a very confusing experience. With this post, we decided to make it easier for you. Thus, here are some frequently asked questions. We hope that answering these clears any confusion you may have about the product or about the process of buying it.
Is a 50mm Lens Good for Weddings?
It is a pretty good lens for wedding photography. You can expect consistent results in different lighting with this lens. This is because it is constructed to be fast, sharp, accurate, and suitable for many lighting conditions.
What is the Best Aperture for Wedding Photography?
This solely depends upon the effect you are trying to obtain in your picture. Wider apertures give the subject distinction from the background and provide all the attention to the subject. Thus, different apertures are used for different conditions.
Do Wedding Photographers Use Flash?
Yes, photographers do use flash at times, as it helps fill in light in different conditions. Furthermore, it allows more even light exposure and can be very helpful when filming outside.
What is the Best Lens Size for Wedding Photography?
A good lens is incredibly important for great pictures. Some of the most popular wedding zoom lenses are 24-70mm, 70-200, and popular primes lenses include 85mm, 50mm, and 35 mm. These are used by most professionals.
Conclusion
A wedding is a very special event for people. Thus, it’s wonderful to be able to capture moments and cherish it forever. Thus, your equipment has a lot riding on it, given the high expectations people have of how the photos should turn out.
Granted, if you’re able to find your perfect lens, a lot of it becomes easy for you. It can be an expensive investment, thus, it’s best to do thorough research before you invest in a product. Make sure you compare prices and look into the specs, so you know what you’re getting into. Plus, consider all the factors which make a lens great that we presented earlier in this review.
