I’m frequently asked this question: what is the best Sony lens for wedding video creation? Well, there is no one lens that will do it all. You’ll need to build a kit.
Building the perfect kit is one of the largest and most important investments a wedding videographer can make. Of course you need powerful bodies — I swear by the Sony Alpha a7 III — but proper wedding-film lenses are just as important. In many cases, lenses are an investment, and adding to your collection takes time, booking jobs, and charging what you’re worth.
Features to look for in a video lens for weddings
Wide Aperture
When photographing a wedding, the key is to be prepared for any lighting situation. This means you’ll want to carry lenses around that are fast. Certain venues might not allow flashes, or you might have to shoot candid shots in dark environments where using external lights would be impractical. In such situations, you will only have a wide aperture to help you. If you can afford it, use lenses with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 or wider.
Sharpness
Because you will often be shooting at such wider apertures, you’ll want a lens that is as sharp as possible from corner to corner. Most lenses are adequately sharp when stopped down, but it’s a rare gem that is sharp wide open.
Quiet Operation
A lens needs to be quiet. During a wedding ceremony, you don’t want to disturb the situation with a loud autofocus motor. Try to find lenses with a silent AF system.
Versatility
Finally, you need to be as versatile as possible. You might need to capture a large group of friends and family or zoom into an intimate moment when the bride is feeding cake to the groom. You need to have a variety of lenses from ultrawide, to standard, to telephoto focal lengths.
Best Sony Lenses for Wedding Video Shooters
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8
With the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8, you can zoom in on the couple at the altar without sacrificing quality. This sharp lens is a must-have for ceremonies and receptions. The f/2.8 aperture gives you beautiful images — plus some bokeh — even in low-light settings for speeches and vows. Plus the 70mm focal length makes it versatile for closer-range footage.
Sony FE 24mm f/1.4
The Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 is my go-to lens for night photography, but this powerful little lens is also perfect for filming wedding ceremonies. Since this lens lets in a lot of light, I use it on my “b-camera” that captures wide shots of the ceremony, first dances, and speeches. The footage may be “b,” although the results from this crisp, light lens are anything but. The lens also comes in handy for establishing shots, which is one of many reasons it rarely leaves my bodies.
Sony Sonnar FE 55mm f/1.8
If I had to pick my favorite overall wedding-film lens, it’d probably be the Sony Sonnar FE 55mm f/1.8. This tiny little lens took the quality of my footage up probably 10 levels when I first started using it. The bokeh with this is stunning, the footages is tack sharp, and it works perfectly in low-light conditions. The 55mm is my go-to during prep, but I’ve also found it super handy during dance time given the f/1.8 aperture.
The 50mm f/1.8 lens is ultra-compact and much more affordable than the FE 50mm f/1.2 G Master listed below. At 55mm is similar in focal length and an aperture of 1.8 is still plenty wide enough to capture great low light footage.
Sony FE 85mm f/1.4
As you’ve probably noticed, low-light functionality is my number one priority when it comes to lenses for wedding film day. That’s because, when filming weddings, you end up in all types of unexpected and, in many cases dark, settings. The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 may not be your first choice lens, as you’ll be covered in most cases with the 70-200mm, but if you have the budget, it’s worth it for the f/1.4 low-light perks. This lens works great for darker reception speeches and dim churches. It also makes for some gorgeous bridal prep candids.
Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3
This kit of mine has been years of filming, saving, and investing in the making. When I shot my first wedding film, I had to go a more budget-friendly route, particularly with the more versatile Sony FE24-240mm f/3.5-6.3. This was the perfect starter lens, and to be honest, I still use it today.
Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 G Master Lens
This is perhaps one of the finest 50mm lens every made for any camera system. The build quality is stellar, as is to be expected for any G Master lens. The maximum aperture of f/1.2 means you can shoot in near darkness, and the sharpness of this lens is amazing even wide open. The 50mm focal length is considered by many to be the standard field of view for most head shoulder portraits.
Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G Full Frame E-Mount Lens
At 20mm, this would be considered an ultra wide-angle lens. It’s ideal for group shots and videos. It is extremely light weight and compact for such a wider maximum aperture. As an added bonus, it is weather sealed. You can also use this lens to capture stunning shots of the venue and its rectilinear nature will insure straight lines and sharp corners.
Conclusion
The moral of the story? There is no one best Sony lens for wedding video creation. You don’t need the fanciest lenses to launch a wedding film career. If you make networking and client service a priority, your business is bound to start growing. Here are some of the best networking tips I’ve used to get my wedding film business off the ground.
