The ONLY 2 Lenses You NEED for GREAT Wedding Photography

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– The ONLY 2 Lenses You NEED for GREAT Wedding Photography

Canon Full Frame

Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM Lens on Amazon at

Canon EF 24-70mm f/4.0L IS USM Standard Zoom Lens.

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

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens.

Canon APS-C

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens on Amazon at

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM FLD Large Aperture Standard Zoom Lens.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard Lens.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens.

Nikon FX Full Frame

Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED Vibration Reduction Zoom Lens on Amazon at

Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Zoom Lens.

Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Fixed Lens with Auto Focus.

Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G Lens with Auto Focus.

Nikon DX APS-C

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED Zoom Lens on Amazon at

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM FLD Large Aperture Standard Zoom Lens.

Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras.

Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 50mm F/1.4D DSLR Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras.

Panasonic M43

PANASONIC LUMIX G X Vario Lens, 12-35mm, F2.8 ASPH., Professional M43, POWER Optical I.S. H-HS12035 on Amazon at

Panasonic H-HS043K LUMIX G 42.5mm f/1.7 Asph. Power O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds Cameras.

Sony Full Frame

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS Interchangeable Full Frame Zoom Lens on Amazon at

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens.

Sony APS-C

Sony SELP18105G E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS on Amazon at

Sony SEL50F18 50mm f/1.8 Lens for Sony E Mount.

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Equipment I used to record this video:

Panasonic LUMIX G85 4K Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera on Amazon at or B&H Photo at

PANASONIC LUMIX G X Vario Lens, 12-35mm, F2.8 ASPH., Professional Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds, POWER Optical I.S. H-HS12035 on Amazon at or B&H Photo at

Audio Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Studio Microphone on Amazon at or B&H Photo at I use my AT2020 for pretty much all my studio setting videos. The sound is great and the price is a real bargain.

NEEWER Microphone Suspension Boom Scissor Arm Stand on Amazon at

Zoom H4n Portable Digital Recorder on Amazon at or B&H Photo at I use my H4n in most studio settings where I need XLR inputs.

Hosa HMIC010 Pro REAN XLR Microphone Cable on Amazon at or B&H Photo at I use my Hosa cables for all my XLR mic connections.

Check out my other YouTube Channels at

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49 Comments
  1. ALEXANDER GOMES says

    REST IN PEACE

  2. AWA Ereck says

    I shoot weddings, seminars, funerals, portraits, just to name a few, just with my Canon 1200D, with kit lense, 18-55mm.
    it's what I can afford for now.

    I'm however working hart to upgrade the lense, afterwards, I'll upgrade the body.

    Any advice for me?

  3. cowboy slidell says

    70-200 24-70 second shooter 35mm and 14-24

  4. Praveen Richards says

    Why you didn't mention tamron lens

  5. Oscar Photography says

    RIP

  6. omkar pandharpatte says

    Please suggest me budget lens gear for canon 6d m ii for event photography. Thanks in advance. Thinking of buying 6d m ii but confused about lenses

  7. Namu Williams says

    This is horrible advice.

  8. Muzzy Paul Balleza says

    I use the Nikon 17-55mm 2.8 & the 85mm AF-S 1.8G for my D7200, very good combination!

  9. Adrian Radulescu says

    I really don't understand the purpose of this video. I found it by mistake and it triggered my attention because of the title "two lens wedding photography". If it's done just for content and promotion then I get the reason behind it. For anything more serious than that, I'd say the advice is actually … bad advice. I don't think I'd want to shoot a wedding (regardless of size and complexity) not using my 70-200mm L lens for example. I love that lens and what that lens does for me, especially at 150mm or longer, no other lens can match in terms of image and compression. There are times when I purposefully reach for that lens when I shoot bridal portraits because I have an image in mind that only that lens can pull off. And of course a true macro for details. And then a wide (wider than 24mm) for times when you shoot the party from narrow angles and want to get in as much of it as possible. Then my trusty 50mm 1.2 L which is as sweet as nectar, especially indoors, while the bride is getting ready with the widow only light to the side of her (or behind her). And then … the 85mm which is the portrait lens of choice but now always of course, because of space constraints. This is why I schlep an entire arsenal of crap with me (lenses, bodies and other stuff) so that I am NEVER in a bad predicament of needing something and not having it with me. Weddings are complicated events to shoot and always under great pressure and responsibility. There is NO time to fumble, guess and wish you HAD a piece of equipment with you and "make due" with what you have. There're no "oops and let's do that again" at a wedding. Photography is a constant compromise but it has to be a well-educated compromise and never because you don't know your equipment, or how to shoot in a particular situation or worse, need a piece of equipment in a key situation that cannot be replicated. That would be a level of unprofessionalism that no wedding photographer, regardless of the level of expertise, should ever put forth. I look like a homeless person dragging two backpacks around but it's worth it in the end. Two lenses only?! For a real wedding shoot? I really don't think so.

  10. Created Film says

    thanks bro, video is great, i use the sigma 17-50 2.8,.. and the canon 50 1.8 ,.. do you think i should get me the canon m50 for wedding???? let me know thanks

  11. Lilian Sirbu says

    i do 90% of pictures with Otus 55mm , and rest of them with Otus 85mm.

  12. Garry Burgess says

    Now Canon has an 85mm f1.4 L IS lens that was released in Aug of 2017 that looks pretty interesting with 4 stops of stabilization and f1.4.

  13. LaTroy Oner says

    thanks for including the ones for crop canon ones too…we beginners dont all use full frame ones 🙂

  14. Ahmed.H ElShanawany says

    all of that is "ONLY 2"

  15. Remroddd says

    Sigma 18-35 f1.8 and sigma 50-150 f1.8

  16. Gabriel Tomsic says

    Why I always hear fast lens in low light instead of clear image in low light for high aperture lens?

  17. Jeremy Foster says

    What flash would you use w/ GH5?

  18. Jeremy Foster says

    here comes a dumb question BUT if is F4 comparable in DOF to a F2.8 on a crop sensor?

  19. Safeer Mufti says

    well explained Thanks

  20. Chris Jones says

    "You only need 2 lenses" but let me rattle if 15 or 20 other lenses and 14 different cameras.
    Basically, let show off talking about all the gear I've owned, and my vast knowledge of the gear that's out there.

  21. cesur ozkurt says

    what do i have I can use and add more. I have 85mm 1.8g and 300mm f4d both lenses are excellent for portraits . Also I have 75-150 f/3.5 ais manual lens excellent lens to I only need wide lens . maybe 35-70 f2.8d or 20mm f2.8d done . I use D610 main body . Nikon V1 (2.7 crop body ) + ft1 adapter for use fx lenses. I bought V1 camera for sport photography day time works excellent . I bought this lenses for multi use sport portratis weeding street photography etc.

  22. Germane Vision says

    I don't do weddings, but I do events mostly conferences. I do it only with 18-55 and 35 prime which is fabulous in low light. My cam is entry level apsc d3300. But the results are stunning at least better than what others do at the same event with much costlier gear

  23. God's heart says

    Your so confusing…jesus

  24. Antony Antoniou says

    I agree with your full frame choices, but for DX, I would say that if you have the 17-55 2.8G, which gives an equivalent of 25-82, there is not much to be gained by only taking a 50mm, which most people would have anyway, (although it will have its uses) personally I would still take a longer lens to pair with the 17-55. In my case, I still use my Nikkor 80-200 2.8D, or an 85mm.

    If you prefer to use primes, then I would suggest 35 & 85mm on FF or 24 & 50mm on DX.

  25. serviola3 says

    For Apsc Nikon 17-55 2.8

  26. Lionheart says

    85/35 – There's no reason to get the 24-70 zoom unless you absolutely NEED 24mm. A 35 f/1.4 crops into 70mm f/2.8 with some considerable detail loss but MOST of the time the 85 is better if you can take 1 step back from 70mm field of view or take a few steps forward with the 35 and now you are getting a better image and you can crop in a little if you have to. There are very few situations where you can't move forward or back.

  27. rizzo905 says

    24-70 or 24-205 f4 ?? you're going to have some boring looking photos shot wide open at 24-50 range , 351.4 and 851.4 is all you need imo

  28. wowdeals dubai says

    can you please suggest me which Nikon camera body will be good for wedding and product photography? I am confused in d750, d810 and d500

  29. Kaneports says

    Next week I have 24-70 2.8 , and 85mm 1.4 sigma Art coming, already got 50mm 1.8G, all on D800(11,000 actuations) as primary body, will be second body when a little more funds come in from work. Shot holiday mainly with 50mm, thing is it's small, footprint don't feel intrusive as 24-70 but I like primes tbh.

  30. Mohd Zakwan says

    1 lens to shoot em' all.. 18-300mm.. bokeh is overrated (though still achievable if you are close enough).. zoom in tight to 200mm to remove distracting relatives with camera phones.. and zoom out wide to get the environmental photos.. also good for candid shots where they won't see you coming.. why? i only have one dslr.. not a pro.. and mostly because i'm lazy.. hahahaha..

  31. APERTURE ADE says

    can I use Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 and Nikon 85mm 1.8g on a d3200 for small weddings

  32. Steve Moore says

    What about Fugi ??

  33. johan bauwens says

    I prefer the 35 mm f1.4 and 85 mm f1.8.  And a macro lens for the details. No need to carry a heavy 70-200 mm f2.8 around

  34. MrJaynice5 says

    For Full Frame 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8 would be ideal for weddings then you are covered

  35. Andy Mckay says

    I'm an amatuer photographer but I have aspirations to do wedding photography. I ordered the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 & 50-100 f/1.8 last night. I was more on the fence about the 50-100, should I save £600 by returning it and getting the 50mm f/1.8 stm lens instead?

  36. Jays Productions says

    I do weddings and need to know what is the best and least expensive lens to use for canon cameras especially in low light?

  37. Lewis Photography says

    I have a question do you need an attachment for sigma for Nikon ?

  38. Dowdy Dowd says

    Matt,
    Thanks for the video! Is there no need for a bigger zoom for shooting from further away and not being 'noticed'? Thanks again!

  39. Bill Merritt says

    Although I think a great job can be accomplished using this combo, I have to be honest and disagree that using "only" these lenses or their equivalent is a stretch IMO. I think it really depends on the ceremony, venue, any officiant restriction(s) etc. Will always pack a long zoom, macro, and UWA IF you are unsure of the above factors. I think maybe it is more about "style" than limiting to 2 lenses.
    It does bring up a question. Can using fewer lenses be viewed as a limitation or an opportunity?
    Interesting. Thanks for a great video.

  40. Ramon Wright says

    You named like 20 different lenses

  41. o2bakgb says

    u need to select lenses that would compliment its main lens, here are examples:
    i also do i agree u should have more then two lenses but there are lenses who would do most of the heavy lifting…hope tis helps for y'all this chart mostly for canon but u could use this set ups for other brands also…

    35mm II 1.4 and 85mm 1.2
    50mm 1.2 and 85mm 1.2
    24mm II and 85mm 1.2
    24-70 II and 85mm 1.2
    24-70 II and 70-200 II
    85mm 1.2 and 70-200 II

  42. Melb0urne9 says

    Hi, I have canon lens 24-105mm for group photos. Should I get 50mm f/1.4 ? Thanks 🙂

  43. John Morris says

    Matt and if you had to go with a 3 lens setup, it would be something like Sigma 17-50 or their soon to be released 17-70, a 50 or 85mm prime, Tokina 100mm, then for longer shots use one of the three from Nikon, Sigma or Tamron 70-200mm

  44. Image-i-Nation Photography says

    24-70 & 70-200 are our most used lenses at weddings along with D750 (hope Nikon upgrade this soon like the D500 with Full Frame! Some folk just have all the gear and no idea how to use it plus learning about light is a massive one, no point having 10 lenses and not knowing what your doing?

  45. Ken Deng says

    wrong, sigma 18-35 and 50-100 on a pair of crop sensor bodies are the real deal we talking here.

  46. j jacelon says

    I find it difficult to just use "2" to get the shots I desire. My kit includes my recently added D800 (fx) along with my D7100 (dx) with 24-70 f/2.8, 70-200 f/2.8, 50mm f/1.4D, 85mm f/1.8D, 11-16 f/2.8 (on the DX only).. and extension tubes for macro/ring shots. I had more lenses prior.. but sold off the "focals" that I don't use.. like my 24mm & 35mm.

  47. Vlad Shoots says

    Also lol don't advise people to shoot weddings with low par gear, they'll get sued and ruin someone's wedding 😂😂😂

  48. Vlad Shoots says

    Not all wedding photography is equal. For a 1k wedding sure you can get away with 2 but for normal weddings your clients will expect a bit more….I would argue you need 4 lenses and 2 bodies. 24-70 2.8, 85, 70-200 2.8 and a true macro for true detailed ring shots.

  49. Juan Lopez says

    For my weddings I use D7100 with 18-140 vr G 3.5.456 covers just about anything and a 50mm G / D for portraits. For creative shoots I use a mamiya 645 80mm with an adapter.would like to know your opinion guys!!

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