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Best Canon Lenses for Wedding Photography

canon-wedding-lenses-bestCheck out our 8 best Canon lenses for wedding photography, which includes lenses perfect for low light, portrait, architecture, macro/detail and group photography.

There are 4 zoom lenses we recommend that will allow you to capture everything that happens at a wedding, from telephoto shots such as portraits and situations where you can’t be close to your subject, to extreme wide angle scenes with group shots, dancing, architecture and much more.

For even better low light performance, we’ve also listed 4 brilliant prime lenses. Weddings are tricky (light, amount of people, inside, outside) and so you have to be prepared for almost anything, which is why I recommend you to have a few zoom and a few prime lenses.

If you want to start with as little as possible, I’d say get the 70-200mm and a 35mm/50mm prime lens and build your collection slowly.

Best zoom lenses we covered:
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM

Best prime lenses we covered:
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 (and f/1.2L USM)
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

You automatically support us if you order anything through our Amazon links, and we highly recommend them because of their low prices, fast delivery and top support, especially when it comes to camera equipment.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

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The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is the most expensive and best 70-200mm lens from Canon (out of 4 versions, ranging from $600 to $2,000). There are two f/4 versions and two f/2.8 versions, each with and without Image Stabilization.

For weddings, this is hands down the best lens out there. It’s long enough so you can capture almost anything without distracting anyone, and the bokeh/background blur looks absolutely amazing.

Its auto focus is super fast and accurate (USM), even in low light conditions where you’ll be doing quite a lot of shooting. Thanks to f/2.8 you also don’t have to raise your ISO speed a lot, resulting in cleaner and sharper images, although if you have a newer camera you don’t have to worry as much.

When photographing with slow shutter speeds, the Image Stabilization will help you up to 4 stops, but remember that this only applies if your subject isn’t moving. While outdoor photography may not require you to have IS, it’s almost a must for weddings, and is worth the extra price! You definitely want as much help from your system to deliver stabilized shots in all conditions.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM

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If you’re a full frame shooter, you will love the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM, it’s the most versatile lens on this list. You’ll be able to cover from wide to standard/medium telephoto ranges with excellent image quality and f/2.8 aperture.

Honestly, I’d consider this one and the 70-200mm above to be a must for wedding photography, not only because of their high quality but because you need to be covered from 24mm to ~200mm. If you have an APS-C Canon, then the 24-70mm is actually equivalent to a 38mm-112mm. That’s not so wide anymore, and you’re probably better off with the Sigma below.

There’s no Image Stabilization so be ready to raise your ISO speed from time to time, although you’re pretty safe with f/2.8.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM

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For group shots, landscape or capturing wider scenes, the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM is an amazing lens. It’s a zoom with great quality, an f/1.8 aperture and focal lengths that serve as 3 prime lenses (18, 24 and 35mm, as well as all between).

It features HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), a system similar to Canon’s USM, and is responsible for the lens’ fast auto focusing. There are 9 diaphragm blades, meaning bokeh will look smooth even though it’s a wide-angle lens.

It’s also brilliant for recording videos, mainly because of its smooth focus and zoom rings, and the depth of field you achieve at f/1.8.

It weighs 1.79 pounds/810 grams so it’s not the lightest lens out there, but it’s nothing drastic either. You might get tired after a couple of hours of shooting with it, but considering the fact it’s like 3 prime lenses in one, it’s just something you have to accept.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM

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The Canon EF 16-35m f/4L IS USM is one of those zoom lenses that have the quality and sharpness of a prime lens, without being too expensive!

If you own a FF camera you can’t use the Sigma above, but the 16-35mm is your best extreme wide option, is sharper than the f/2.8 version and also features IS.

Its closes focusing distance is 0.92ft/0.28m, has 16 elements in 12 groups (2 UD and 3 aspheric elements to reduce chromatic aberration and improve quality) and offers IS up to 4 stops, which can be helpful when you don’t have a tripod and are shooting with slower shutter speeds.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Best Prime Lenses for Wedding Photography

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

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How to describe the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM? Beautiful colors, razor sharp images, superb quality, creamy bokeh and most importantly, affordable! For less than $400 (at Amazon) you get one of the sharpest prime lenses Canon has ever made.

Featuring an Ultra Sonic Motor, it’ll quickly focus on your subject even in darker conditions. With f/1.8 and 85mm focal length, you can’t even imagine what kind of amazing photographs you’ll be able to take!

Where this lens truly shines at is portrait, wedding and concert photography.

Often shoot in low light? At f/1.8 you’ll be able to get crisp shots without having to raise your ISO speed to extreme sensitivities. I’ve been using the 85mm f/1.8 for years and it’s one of the best price/performance lenses available.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

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The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is the best-selling lens from Canon, which already says a lot. It’s affordable, compact and delivers high quality images.

It’s amazing for low light photography because the maximum f/1.8 gathers a ton of light, meaning you’ll be able to shoot at night without getting so many blurred images.

Another reason why f/1.8 is so good is because it allows you to completely blur the background, making your subject stand out (called shallow depth of field). It’s the easiest and quickest way to make your shots look professional. For a even larger depth of field, check out the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM.

The 50mm f/1.8 length is great on both APS-C and FF cameras, and is great for general wedding-photography, portraits and similar situations.

Auto focus is quick, silent and accurate thanks to STM (Stepping Motor), which is also a plus for videographers because you won’t have any noise from auto focusing in your videos.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM

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The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM is sharper than the majority of prime lenses on the market.

It’s tack sharp even at f/1.4, features a Ring-type AF motor for fast, silent and accurate focusing with Full Time Manual Focus, and has a closest focusing distance of 0.30cm/11.81″.

Mounted on an DX camera, its field of view is equivalent to a 50mm lens, a length that’s perfect for almost any type of photography, especially for portrait, wedding and extreme low light photography.

Great bokeh, beautiful colors and optical quality, plus it’s built like a tank so you don’t have to worry about easily damaging it. It’s also cheaper and performs better than Canon’s version!

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro

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The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro is your best choice for capturing details at weddings (from the food, flowers to rings etc.).

Like all macro lenses, the quality is top notch, but it also features Image Stabilization (Hybrid IS that works in all directions) so you can get sharper images without using a tripod.

Along with USM for fast focusing, the f/2.8 allows you to shoot in low light, plus the lens is weather sealed like almost all L lenses.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

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