Buying advice
Wedding photography: a reliable body and lens kit
A wedding gives you no second chance. Which body and fast lenses to choose so your gear won't let you down – and what to check on used copies.
Weddings are all about reliability and fast glass. You need a body with dependable autofocus and two fast lenses – one for candid coverage and one for portraits.
Choosing a body
If you can, go for a full-frame body. I have the Canon EOS R6 and Canon EOS R6 Mark II in stock – top-tier bodies with excellent autofocus. On a smaller budget, the Sony A7 IV or Nikon Z6 II will do the job.
Another option is the APS-C Canon EOS R7 – just keep the crop factor in mind. If possible, have a backup body at hand too.
Choosing lenses
For candid coverage, 35 mm is the all-rounder; for portraits, 85 mm. I have these lenses for Sony E in stock:
- Sony FE 35 mm f/1.4 GM – candids
- Sony FE 85 mm f/1.4 GM – portraits
- Sony FE 100 mm f/2.8 STF GM – portraits
- Sony FE 50 mm f/1.4 GM – portraits and candids
Checking used copies
- Body – check the shutter count, overall condition and that all buttons and ports work.
- Lenses – look for dirt on the glass and check the condition of the aperture.
- Autofocus – it must be quiet and accurate.
Common mistakes
The most common mistake I see is chasing the cheapest gear. Fast apertures and reliability are key. If the ideal gear isn't in stock at the moment, focus on the condition and functionality of the copies that are available.
Tell me how many weddings you shoot a year – I'll also advise you on a backup and memory cards.
