Good lens for sharp stills and good video with Canon 7D

Question #2: I’m in the market for a Canon 7D because I’m a film major interested in still photography. Is there a lens – preferably a zoom at this point in time – that will fulfill these functions (sharp stills and good video)? Looking for something approximately $500 if possible.

Dave: I’m not necessarily the best person to answer this, but I’d say to start things off, get a zoom that stabilizes so if you’re shooting handheld it will ease the motion. But if you’re going to get really technical down the tracks, you’re probably going to be shooting wide primes for any steady cam work.

Taylor: If you’re a film major, I’ll assume you have access to steadicams and devices where it’s not just you holding the camera. So at that point, pretty much anything will work. I’m Nikon so I’m biased.

Dave: A good friend of mine bought a lens and it wasn’t right, so it is possible to choose the wrong one. (He bought a 70 because he thought it was good general purpose.)

You’ll probably want a fairly wide prime, like a 24 or a 35 or something like that – but you’re not going to get it for $500. But it’s worth it.

Taylor: For sure. But investigate all the possible opportunities with whatever you’re looking for. I use Ken Rockwell’s website or Fred Miranda for reviews and price comparisons. Whenever I’m trying to look for a good lens comparison, I’ll just pop over there.

Question #3: How do you politely address a guest at a wedding who shadows you with their camera and flash?

Dave: I do have it in my contract that I can expect to have the bride and groom’s support. I think it can be a really tough shooting challenge mentally if someone’s watching you – no matter who you are, if someone is copying your shots and trying to prove them, it can be difficult. So I usually let them know we’re taking our formal shots, and ask them to grab a cocktail and let them know they can shoot at any other time, but I don’t want to be out of focus with the bride and groom. So create a reasonable reason to ask them to leave.

Taylor: I’m the same way. Usually at the first meeting with the bride and groom, I talk to them about it so they don’t invite a second photographer to the formal session. And that way they are aware, too, if he’s getting in my way, they can ask him to move along.

Dave: It’s a tough thing, and you want to be cool with them because they’re not killing your business. If people want to stand around and take photos during the formals, I’ll just tell them they can leave their cameras there and I’ll blast a bunch of shots on each.