Big events such as weddings or galas come with their own sets of photography challenges. Being able to frame the perfect singles or couples portraits wars with candid shots of dance floor action or cake cutting close-ups in determining what kinds of lens you want on your camera. Factor in the many appropriate wedding camera bodies out there and the list of possible lenses can seem endless!
For our comparison, we’re going with our standard pro-level recommendations in all categories, such as full frame sensor, fixed aperture for maximum light control, and fast lenses to give your images the best bokeh. Primes are good when you know how close you can get, while zooms help you remain flexible in the action. Standard DSLRs like Canon or Nikon make good choices because of brand establishment and the myriad options for gear.
Don’t discount mirrorless cameras, though, simply because they are silent to shoot, and who doesn’t want to be unobtrusive as a wedding photog? The offset is the lack of extensive lenses. Here’s our list of the best lenses for weddings and event photography, with apologies to the many additional brands we don’t have space to include here.
7 Best Lenses for Wedding & Event Photography
Best Prime for Canon DSLRs: Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM
- Focal Length: 85mm
- Aperture: f/1.4
- Minimum Focus Distance: 2.8 ft.
- Image Stabilization: Yes
- Weight: 2.1 lbs.
While this is considered a telephoto focal length, 85mm is the sweet spot for single or couple portraits at a close range. Match this with the fast aperture and you have a great lens producing warm fuzzy bokeh in the background of those glam shots. Image stabilization lets you maximize your effectiveness in handheld images of bride and groom prep too.
At events, this range and light weight are terrific for candids roaming the crowd, indoors or out, and for framing speakers on stage or highlighting important moments. At less than a yard, the minimum focus distance makes for good images of the buffet or table settings. Next to a Nifty Fifty, this is probably the best all around professional lens you can own in the Canon line.
Users comment on how well this lens handles low light situations. Photogs compensate for the sometimes less accurate autofocus by shooting this lens in full-time manual for events. To take your shooting to the pro level, consider this prime lens to add a specific range to your overall imaging style.
Best Zoom for Canon DSLRs: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
- Focal Length: 70-200mm
- Aperture: f/2.8
- Minimum Focus Distance: 3.9 ft.
- Image Stabilization: Yes
- Weight: 3.3 lbs.
All professional grade optics weigh more, and this standard to medium tele lens is no exception. Some might be critical of it for the higher weight factor alone. On the other hand, the quality of zoom images you can capture might offset those concerns.
Consider using this fixed aperture zoom with the tripod collar (included) to help the image stabilization do even more for you. Full-time manual focusing lets you play with framing and lighting, even in low light settings. This lens is fast at both the wide and tele ends with great range options on your full frame camera body.
Negative reviews of this lens concentrate more on the source of purchase than the lens itself; some vendors are not reliable and send out used lenses at a new lens price. While this lens is great for weddings, sports, and other events both outdoors and in, it is an exceptional multi-purpose lens for other conditions such as nature and street/daily use.
If your wallet can stand the price and you don’t mind the weight, this lens allows you to avoid carrying multiple pieces of gear for your event work.
Best Prime for Nikon DSLRs: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 105mm f/1.4E ED
- Focal Length: 105mm
- Aperture: f/1.4
- Minimum Focus Distance: 3.3 ft.
- Image Stabilization: No
- Weight: 2.2 lbs.
Covering the close-up work you might do at an event, this prime lens allows you to capture the tighter face or action shot while blurring the background with gentle bokeh. It is weather-sealed for both indoor and out use, and its fast aperture handles low light conditions well. Full time manual focusing lets you create those artistic images for someone’s special day.
The minimum focus distance is over a yard, but that won’t prevent you from getting that moment of cake craziness. The weight is light enough for handheld work. The ED designation of this lens means it features glass adjusted to correct for chromatic aberration, flaring and distortion.
Users wish this lens came with image stabilization (Vibration Reduction or VR on the lens). Others note that they wish the autofocus was faster and say the build quality feels cheapened with the plastic body. If you want a fast prime to cover common framing in the high-standard to low-tele range, this lens will lift your image quality to new levels.
Best Zoom for Nikon DSLRs: Nikon AF Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED
- Focal Length: 80-200mm
- Aperture: f/2.8
- Minimum Focus Distance: 4.9 ft.
- Image Stabilization: No
- Weight: 2.9 lbs.
This zoom ranges from portrait focal length to medium tele, giving you options in event or action shooting situations. It is a fast lens at both ends, so you can adjust the depth of field for the level of bokeh that best fits the mood you intend to evoke.
While the minimum focus distance is a bit further than close work, it allows you to get those intimate moments without interrupting the mood.
If you want good group images, either candid or posed, this lens keeps everyone together without dropping details. Autofocusing is internal to the lens; the lens is not weather sealed. Optical glass is treated to help you avoid chromatic aberration and flaring.
Users wish this lens came with image stabilization. It lacks full-time manual for fine tuning your focus and some complain the autofocusing is slow and clunky as compared to other Nikon lenses they own. If you want to achieve great bokeh across a range of focal lengths, this zoom will add opportunities to your wedding and event shooting.
Best for Sony Mirrorless: Sony FE 85mm f/1.8
- Focal Length: 85mm
- Aperture: f/1.8
- Minimum Focus Distance: 2.6 ft.
- Image Stabilization: No
- Weight: .8 lbs.
Designed for Sony E mount bodies, this prime lens is easy to love as a go-to lens for any event where your silence is imperative. Coupled with the mirrorless body, its focal range offers shooting opportunities from intimate close ups to gathering the gang in a candid image. It is weather-sealed for more precarious outdoors work too.
This lens has almost no chromatic aberration and only mild vignetting. It creates a pleasing bokeh for warm portraits while focusing in on details with precision for character moments. Its programmable auto plus manual focusing manages your preferred settings without the need for constant adjustments.
Reviewers note there is next to nothing to complain about with this lens. Consumers have had problems with some vendors, so buyer beware. If you want a fast image capture with your Sony Alpha mirrorless camera, this lens fits the bill.
Best for Canon Mirrorless: Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM
- Focal Length: 28-70mm
- Aperture: f/2
- Minimum Focus Distance: 1.3 ft.
- Image Stabilization: No
- Weight: 3.2 lbs.
Built for Canon’s new mirrorless camera body line, the R and the RP, this standard focal length zoom covers everything you need for events and weddings in the close up to portrait range. This is professional grade glass with a redesigned optical structure unique to Canon. It is fast at both wide and tele ends and produces a fine bokeh to surround your subjects.
This lens is weather-sealed for your outdoor work. While it does not feature image stabilization, it remains effective for low light, slow shutter speed settings. The short minimum focus distance makes it a good choice for close ups of table settings, a wedding cake, or featured auction items at a charity fundraiser.
Users say the autofocusing capability of this lens is superb, producing some of the sharpest images they’ve ever taken. While its weight might make your handheld work a bit more exercise, the results seem to be worth it. If you’re investing in the new Canon mirrorless system and plan to continue growing your gear in years to come, this zoom will make a great base for your events work.
Best for Nikon Mirrorless: Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S
- Focal Length: 50mm
- Aperture: f/1.8
- Minimum Focus Distance: 1.3 ft.
- Image Stabilization: Yes
- Weight: .9 lbs.
Built to use on the Nikon mirrorless Z line, this Nifty Fifty is the base prime lens most people use for all purpose shooting. For weddings and events, it is good for capturing the action as well as close ups, and it masters low light work. Coupled with the silence of a mirrorless body, its stepper motor autofocusing system remains quiet too.
This is a fast lens, and while it won’t be as flexible in delivering the artistic bokeh you might want for glamour shots, it works well in creating a moody depth of field for most other work. Specially treated glass eliminates distortion and flaring. Its image stabilization works in tandem with the same in the camera body.
Users and pro reviewers alike have no negatives to share about this lens. It seems to work as well for video as it does for still imaging. If you want a full-time manual or autofocusing lens in the sweet spot of 50mm for your Nikon mirrorless camera, this lens is it.