What is a good lens to use for a SLR camera in low light such as a wedding reception?

Question

Anyone know a good lens to use for low light areas such as a wedding reception and indoor? What about in shade and woods areas?

Answer 1

You want a lens with a wide aperture like f/2.8.

Close in, you'd want something like a 17-55mm f/2.8 lens.

Further back, a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens (which is a telephoto zoom).

At a wedding reception, you can use flash usually, so another option would be to simply use a decent lens (even consumer level) and a hotshoe flash or a flash bracket with a cord and flash on the bracket.  The flash will mean you don't have to shoot with the lens wide open and thus, you can use less expensive lenses.

Answer 2

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L would be my first choice, along with the Canon EF 135 f/2L.