Hi everyone, I’m currently starting out as a second shooter and have a few weddings under my belt so far. I’ve been dialing in my kit and was curious what others here are using as their go-to wedding setup and why.
Right now I’m shooting on the Canon R5 Mark II. My current lens setup is the RF 35mm f/1.4 VCM and the RF 70–200mm f/2.8, and I’m planning to add the RF 85mm f/1.4 VCM soon. I previously owned the RF 85mm f/1.2, but I ended up letting it go—the image quality is incredible, but the size and weight made it a bit impractical for long wedding days.
I also used to own the RF 28–70mm f/2, which I know a lot of people love for weddings. For me, though, the weight started to cause noticeable wrist pain after extended use, especially during longer events. I’m curious if anyone else has experienced that or found ways to manage it.
At this point, I’m leaning toward a lighter, more flexible prime + telephoto setup, but I’d love to hear what’s working for others—whether that’s zoom-heavy, prime-focused, or a mix of both.
What does your ultimate wedding kit look like, and how did you land on it?
35 1.4, 85 1.4, 24-70 2.8
I don’t need anything else. 50? Don’t use it. 70-200? Don’t use it.
Don’t overthink it, keep it simple, you absolutely need a wide option and at least one 1.4 lens. Dont bring 9 lenses to a wedding, you’ll get decision fatigue and flustered.
Plus flashes and dance lights and triggers and stands…etc
I like the simplicity of Karma Kramer's kit. Recently I sold my 35mm 1.4 because the 24-70 covers the 35mm range. Usually I aim for bokeh with 50, 85. Usually I carry two lenses at a time and possibly a 3rd next to me as I move. Next wedding, here's what's in my bag and how I may use it following.
Two cameras and lenses will be on my holster and one camera and lens in hand with an extra part for the 3rd body.
24-70mm
85mm
70-200mm
50mm
85mm
135mm
Whether my van or a secure location at the event, I will park 2 lenses as spares or ones that I rotate in a bag where I usually keep wireless triggers for my lights if needed.
If a wedding is super simple and outside like a redwood wedding then it will be two lenses with a 3rd for backup or extra.
24-70mm
85mm
135mm
The 85mm 1.2 is my most used lens. And outdoor like redwoods and some venues, I keep 135mm to 200mm around in case a couple or guests are standing across from an obstacle, pond, garden bed, etc. Used to carry almost 9 lenses and got tired of keeping all that sorted.
These 3 below illustrate a little. I used 200mm to "PULL" the pines in and make them seem closer. The tractor shot was a wedding guest elsewhere and I had the 135mm because I felt like just carrying a light lens around and had a lot of space to work with. And the parents of the bride in another was the 85mm because I just finished using it for the bride and bridesmaids a moment earlier and that's my favorite lens.
