Last updated on August 6th, 2023 at 11:02 am
The best focal length for wedding photography is more of a personal choice than a rule. It depends on the style of the photographer more than anything else.
It also depends on the venue, the working space, and the availability of lights. If it is a sprawling old mansion or an outdoor wedding with a majestic backdrop, you got to have a wide-angle lens. The same goes for a smaller venue where a telephoto lens may be impractical.
However, if it is a larger venue and offers ample space to work, you can pick a telephoto lens such as a 200mm f/2.8 to work with.
Let me make this straight right at the very beginning and, by doing so, burst a myth – there is no single best focal length for wedding photography. Sorry to disappoint you.
What you intend to shoot as a wedding photographer and the imagery you want to capture ultimately determine the focal length you choose on the day.
There is nothing wrong if you decide to shoot an entire wedding with just a 50mm prime. I have seen photographers do it consistently and with great results. Plus, having used the 50mm prime myself, I know that it is a versatile lens.
I am not saying that I would do it. I find it extremely limiting and constantly feel that I am unable to express my creative ideas the way I want to, especially when shooting a wedding.
I’d rather shoot with the 24-70mm f/2.8 and can use a prime lens on the second body that I have on me. Alternatively, If I am using a second shooter, I would have the other photographer use the prime lens and swap my prime for the 70-200mm f/2.8.
But then, that’s me, and the choice of lens is subjective. You are free to choose the lens that best suits your style.
By and large, these are the most commonly used lenses and are considered the best focal length for wedding photography.
Table of Contents
Looking to buy a camera? Read our comprehensive camera buying guide.
Zooms
24-70mm (My Pick as the Best Focal Length for Wedding Photography)
If I had to pick just one lens for photographing a wedding, it would be the 24-70mm. There are two popular versions of this lens – the f/2.8 and the f/4. The f/2.8 version is pricier than the f/4. I have listed mostly f/2.8 lenses as my suggestions.
Every major lens manufacturer has one lens to offer in this focal length range. It is widely considered a wedding and documentary photographer’s workhorse.
The best thing I like about this focal length is that it offers a broad coverage of the scene in front. Perfect for group photos, a broad view of the bride’s dress, shots of the venue, and also for environmental portraits.
That said, at the tele-end, the lens goes all the way to 70mm. At that focal length, you can easily use the lens for portrait shots. This is indeed a versatile lens you can have for wedding photography.
Beyond wedding photography, if you shoot a bit of street, documentary, landscape, and travel photos, you will find this lens extremely useful for those genres as well.
Options – DSLRs
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM (For full-frame Canon DSLRs)
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
Note – The above two lenses do not have built-in image stabilization.
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR
Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2
Note – All the above three have image stabilization built-in.
Options – Mirrorless
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM (For Canon’s RF mount mirrorless camera systems)
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II (For Sony’s E mount mirrorless camera systems)
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S (For Nikon’s Z mount mirrorless camera systems)
70-200mm
My second favorite focal length for wedding photography. I love this lens because it is a great glass for capturing stunning portraits. I use this lens to capture portraits of the bride, groom, and guests. The fast f/2.8 aperture works in almost all kinds of lighting situations.
If I am shooting inside a room with no ambient light, I can always use a flash and use the bounce flash technique, depending on the color of the ceiling, to fill in the shadows.
The 70-200mm f/2.8 is a more than capable lens for most other lighting situations.
The only time I reach out for the 85mm prime for portraits is when I cannot use a flash and or I need a faster aperture for smoother background blur.
It is pertinent to mention here that background blur is best captured with a longer lens. So, the 85mm is a better option than the 50mm or the 35mm. This is despite the 50mm and 35mm having a similar maximum aperture as the 85mm.
That reminds me, I have not included a 35mm in this discussion. Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on a 35mm for wedding photography.
The 70-200mm produces beautiful background compression. That is a real benefit of using a longer lens. But the other subtle benefit of using a 200mm focal length at a wedding is that you can take candid shots of special moments from a few steps back.
With a 50mm prime, you are closer to your subject. At times, I prefer not to intrude into the personal space of my subject. When the subject is not conscious of me, it results in better images.
Options – DSLRs
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM (Canon EF mount)
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR (Nikon F mount)
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports (Nikon F mount, Canon EF mount and Sigma SA mount)
Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (Nikon F mount and Canon EF mount)
Options – Mirrorless
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM (Canon’s RF mount mirrorless)
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II (Sony’s E mount mirrorless)
Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S (Nikon’s Z mount mirrorless)
16-35mm
Generally speaking, I don’t use the 16-35mm lens that much. I mean for wedding photography. If I have to take images of a wedding venue or capture the vibe of the ceremony, a 24mm focal length does a fine job for me.
Having said that, I don’t mind my second shooter using that focal length for capturing images which I cannot using my 24-70mm. That means the 16-35mm is a lens that I do take to some weddings.
The wide angle of view provided by this lens allows me to capture a broad perspective of special moments. For example, I can shoot a wide-angle perspective of a Hindu wedding or the impromptu breaking into a dance by the groom’s friends at a Christian wedding with this wide-angle lens.
These are moments that are difficult to capture with a telelens. And even if I could, the effect will be nowhere near that great.
Another great imaging idea is shooting an environmental shot. The 16-35mm is a good focal length for that.
Options – DSLRs
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR
Notable other mentions in similar focal length range
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art
Options – Mirrorless
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM (Sony E mount mirrorless)
Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G
Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS
Notable other mentions in similar focal length range
RF15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM (For Canon RF mount)
Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM (For Canon RF mount)
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S (For Nikon Z mount)
Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 (For Nikon Z mount)
Primes
50mm
The 50mm prime is an acquired taste for me when it comes to photographing a wedding. I have already mentioned above that I find a prime lens to be a limiting thing for me. I know a prime lens offers the advantage of a larger aperture and, therefore, superior low-light performance. But at times, I feel I need the convenience that comes from using a lens with a variable focal length.
That said, I use three focal lengths often, and the 50mm is one of them.
The 50mm is a standard focal length. I.e., it offers an angle of view that is similar to the angle of view of the human eye.
That means the 50mm captures subjects almost the same way we see them with our eyes.
Needless to say, that has its benefits. When we want to shoot something as natural as possible, the 50mm allows us that option.
If you are shooting with a crop camera such as the Nikon D500, the D7500, or the D3500, you can use a 50mm lens and use the crop factor to good use. The crop factor of Nikon APS-C sensors is 1.5x. That converts the focal length of the 50mm prime to a 75mm equivalent (35mm format equivalent).
You can use the 75mm focal length for shooting portraits.
Options – DSLRs
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM (Canon EF mount)
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM (Canon EF mount. One of the greatest-selling lenses of all time)
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM (Canon EF mount)
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G (Nikon F mount)
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G (Nikon F mount)
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art (For Canon EF mount and Nikon F mount)
ZEISS Milvus 50mm f/1.4 ZF.2 (For Canon EF mount and Nikon F mount)
Options – Mirrorless
Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S (Nikon Z mount)
Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM (Canon RF Mount)
Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM (Canon RF Mount)
Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM (Sony E mount)
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM (Sony E mount)
Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 (Sony E mount)
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (For Leica L and Sony E mounts)
85mm
The 85mm would be my go-to lens when the primary glass, the 70-200mm, comes up short. Especially when handling low-light situations and also when I need a better background blur.
There are several versions of the 85mm that you can look at. You will get a f/1.2 version as well as a f/1.4 version. These are more expensive.
There is a more cost-effective (f/1.8) version that many beginner wedding and portrait photographers prefer to invest in. This lens does not open up as wide as an f/1.2 or a f/1.4 lens but should be good enough for most kinds of lighting.
Most of the major brands have at least one good 85mm lens.
Options – DSLRs
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art (For Canon EF and Nikon F mounts)
Options – Mirrorless
Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM
Macro
Apparently, the macro lens may not seem like a great candidate for the best focal length for wedding photography, but it is a very useful and versatile lens to work with.
Let me explain why.
A macro lens allows you to capture a close-up shot of the wedding rings, the floral & motif details on the bride’s dress, the cufflinks on the groom’s shirt, and the detailing on the cutlery, among a plethora of other subjects.
A true macro lens will allow you to get close to your subject and fill the frame with a minimum 1:1 magnification. That means with a macro lens; you will be able to get a life-sized reproduction of the subject of your photos.
Another advantage of macro photos is that these lenses are extremely sharp. Plus, the focal lengths that I have recommended are matching with the recommended focal lengths for shooting portraits. These lenses are also great for portrait photography.
Options – DSLRs
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM
Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
Options – Mirrorless
Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM
Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro
Concluding Thoughts
Did I miss any of the superb wedding photography glasses out there? Feel free to recommend if you feel I missed mentioning any of your favorite glasses. Do also leave a comment on why you think it deserves a place on this list.
Leave a Reply