Should Wedding Photographers Own an 85mm Lens?

Summary

The video discusses the advantages of using an 85mm lens for wedding photography, particularly the Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM2. The speaker highlights seven reasons why this focal length is ideal, including its versatility for portraits, excellent bokeh, performance in low-light conditions, and its comfortable working distance. The lens’s ability to produce professional-looking images with ease makes it a favorite. Despite the appeal of newer, more expensive lenses, the speaker suggests photographers consider smaller, more affordable options, which can still deliver outstanding results in wedding photography.

Takeaways

• 📷 The 85mm lens is essential for wedding photography and is often in the photographer's kit for every wedding.
• 👤 It is considered the perfect focal length for portrait photography, providing flattering perspectives and reducing facial distortion.
• 🌟 The 85mm lens excels at producing beautiful bokeh and subject isolation due to its wide aperture capabilities, like f1.2 or f1.8.
• 🌑 The wide aperture of the 85mm lens allows for excellent low-light performance, especially useful in dimly lit wedding venues such as churches or receptions.
• 🎯 The lens is versatile, making it suitable for capturing a wide range of shots from close-ups to medium and long-range without frequent lens changes.
• 📏 The compression effect of the 85mm lens enhances the depth and aesthetic of the images, making backgrounds appear closer and more pronounced.
• 📏 The comfortable working distance of the 85mm lens lets photographers maintain a respectful distance from their subjects, helping capture authentic, candid moments.
• 🎨 The combination of sharpness, bokeh, and perspective provided by high-quality 85mm lenses creates professional-looking images that simplify the photographer's job.
• 🔍 The smaller, lightweight 85mm lenses are preferred by the photographer for easier mobility and discretion, helping to blend in more and shoot faster.
• 🖥️ Mirrorless cameras combined with the 85mm lens allow the photographer to shoot from the LCD screen, minimizing direct eye contact and attention, making it ideal for candid shots.

Q & A

Why is the 85mm lens considered great for wedding photography?

The 85mm lens is ideal for wedding photography due to its flattering focal length for portraits, subject isolation, low light performance, versatility, and ability to maintain a comfortable working distance from subjects.

What makes the 85mm lens ideal for portrait photography?

The 85mm lens provides flattering perspectives by reducing facial distortion and creating a pleasing compression of features, making it a favorite for portrait photography.

How does the 85mm lens create beautiful subject isolation?

With wide apertures like f1.2 or f1.8, the 85mm lens can create a shallow depth of field, producing a bokeh effect that isolates the subject from the background.

Why is the 85mm lens recommended for low-light wedding environments?

The 85mm lens performs well in low-light settings, such as dimly lit churches or receptions, thanks to its wide aperture, which allows for faster shutter speeds and lower ISO settings, resulting in sharper, less noisy images.

How does the 85mm lens provide versatility in wedding photography?

The 85mm lens is versatile enough for close-up portraits, medium shots, and long shots, making it suitable for capturing emotions, moments, and details without frequently switching lenses.

What is the compression effect created by the 85mm lens, and why is it desirable?

The 85mm lens creates a pleasing compression effect that brings backgrounds closer and adds depth, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the image.

What is the benefit of the 85mm lens's comfortable working distance during weddings?

The 85mm lens allows photographers to keep a comfortable distance from subjects, avoiding intrusion in personal moments while still capturing candid and authentic expressions.

Why is the 85mm lens often considered a 'professional' lens for weddings?

The combination of sharpness, bokeh, and perspective offered by the 85mm lens often results in professional-looking images, making it feel like 'wedding photography on easy mode.'

How does the size and weight of the Sony 85mm f1.4 GM2 lens influence its use in wedding photography?

The Sony 85mm f1.4 GM2 offers a balance of quality, size, and weight, making it appealing to photographers who want a high-quality lens without the burden of carrying heavy equipment, allowing for faster movement and less visibility during weddings.

Why might a photographer choose an f1.8 lens over an f1.4 lens for weddings?

While the f1.4 lens offers some optical upgrades and creamier bokeh, many clients won’t notice a significant difference. An f1.8 lens can be more cost-effective while still providing excellent results, making it a practical choice for many photographers.