p.1 #1 · Z 24-70 f2.8 S (v1) vs Z 24-120 f4 S for wedding
I have agreed to shoot a German relative's wedding in a couple of weeks (in Germany) and am deciding on what to take and use. I am going to carry-on my camera gear and will have limits... I have decided to take my 14-24 2.8 for the group shots and am weighing the pros and cons of taking my 28-70 and 70-200 or just taking my 24-120, along with the 14-24 to save weight. I am leaning 24-120, but I'm curious what the Nikon intelligentsia think. The camera is a Z8 and I will be bringing some flash gear as well.
p.1 #2 · Z 24-70 f2.8 S (v1) vs Z 24-120 f4 S for wedding
I have shot events and weddings, one in a pro capacity. The Golden Rule: bring your own light. The camera and lens is secondary. I even shot chunks of a wedding (with cavelike ambient) using a Contax film SLR and fisheye. A pro-grade flash that won't overheat is sufficient, although wiring the dance floor with strobes is also effective.
My favored rig to Get The Job Doneᵀᴹ, and sample results:
I would not use my Z6 due to Z focus handicaps (no red-grid AF flash assist, no cross-type AF points). If you do use a Z then a standard zoom covers all needed FL, and f/2.8 helps a bit to hit focus. I would, therefore, favor the Z 24-70/2.8S. You won't be using f/2.8 for group shots unless they line up against the far wall of a basketball court (no DOF).
p.1 #3 · Z 24-70 f2.8 S (v1) vs Z 24-120 f4 S for wedding
If I were shooting that wedding I would take the 24-120mm f/4 S as my main lens. It’s versatile, lighter and provides the flexibility needed for run and gun shooting at a wedding. Using the Z8 would lessen the need for the 70-200mm as well, since you can crop a Z8 image and still have plenty of resolution. That lens and a wide angle should give you what you need. I would also pack the 24-70mm as a backup. You’re traveling a long distance and your main lens failure would be catastrophic.
Regarding flash, as Rico said, get a pro flash that will not overheat.
p.1 #4 · Z 24-70 f2.8 S (v1) vs Z 24-120 f4 S for wedding
24-120 for versatility. If you want shallow DoF portraits, get a fastish f1.8 85. If you want to be able to squeeze a large group photo out of a smaller space, get a good 14-16 and learn how to hold your camera dead level. Finally, a faster 70-200 is great for ceremony shots from the sidelines. Or you could just start with the holy trinity of 2.8 zooms, 2 bodies and be done.
p.1 #6 · Z 24-70 f2.8 S (v1) vs Z 24-120 f4 S for wedding
Thanks for all the comments! It does help me think this through. I do have a couple of primes, 35mm 1.8 and the 50mm 1.8; so maybe the primes and the 24-120. That would lighten my carry-on significantly.
p.1 #7 · Z 24-70 f2.8 S (v1) vs Z 24-120 f4 S for wedding
Depends a bit on what type of shots you're supposed to get. When I shot some friends' wedding a couple years ago we also did some formal portraits before the ceremony & reception. I rented a 70-200mm for that and glad I did, but didn't use it much later. Would always prefer having one with me though, because some more compressed shots can be nice if there is enough space.
Took 90% of the images with the 24-70mm f2.8 and think I would give it the edge over the 24-120mm. If Nikon had a 28-70mm f2 like Sony & Canon, that would be the clear #1 choice imo.
Bring or rent a 2nd body. Mostly because you won't always have time to switch lenses (forget about switching between the 24-120mm and primes on the fly). But also just as insurance in case your Z8 stops working for some reason.
Flash is a maybe. Probably worth bringing along, but really depends on the venue. If you can get away with not using a flash that's preferable imo (unless you want to go full 1990s P&S look, some people can make that work )
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