I have a nikon d80 s-b800 flash i'm going to take a friends wedding pictures using a nikon 50 mm 1.4?

Question

and a nikon 17-55 2.8 lens or should i use a VR lens like the 18-200 VR lens ... any advice will be great thanks

Answer 1

the 50mm f1.4 is a great lens for available light portraits. Spin it nearly wide open and the bokeh from this lens is wonderful. I carry two bodies. One with a 70-200 for close in candid portraits, and then my other one has the 17-55 f2.8 with a Sb800 flash and a Gary Fong Diffuser. This is my workhorse setup! I use a really right stuff flash bracket as well. If I take 700 images at a wedding 650 will be with that 17-55...I wouldn't worry about the VR aspect, if you're using flash it's not a factor.

Answer 2

It sounds like this is your first wedding shoot ... take all three lenses.

The 50 mm f/1.4 is a good portrait lens, but for the reception and other candid shots, the 18-200 is a much more versatile lens.  If you want to shoot without flash then the 17-55 mm f/2.8 is a good choice ... so you can see, all three lenses will play a role in your shoot.

Take plenty of spare AA's for your flash, a few extra memory cards and a spare camera battery if you don't already have a battery grip.