I am looking at getting into wedding photography. I am more of the "Photo journalist" style, but of course need to do the traditional groups, bride, groom, etc. shots that are expected. I am happy so far with a Sigma zoom lens for most of what I do, but I want to have the best I can for offering a good product. I'll be shooting with Canon Rebels, both digital (20D) and film, both bodies can use the same lens. The Sigma is nice for a hobby, but it seems the focus is always a bit off. I have never gotten a perfect, in focus photo. I'm still not sure if it is the carpenter or the tools at fault though. :) (Ther is currently a Canon 70-300 zoom at auction in E-Bay, but didn't want to buy another lens on implulse until I asked in here first. Just wondering if there are others that do portrait photoraphy, and what brand you like/dislike for this, (and possibly what filters you use) Thanks for all your help in the past, you all are great! Rich

try a fixed focal length lens - they are simpler to build than zooms and therefore often sharper :-))

Agree with CD. Try 100mm or 135mm. Maybe a 80mm. Got my 135 USM SF Canon from ebay really cheap. Steve

Attached Link: http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/

I go along with the notion of fixed focal length for weddings more so if you have two bodies.. However one exception would be for L series and the 17-40mm would be needed for many group shots where anything more than 28mm would not be wide enough.. Bearing in mind you will be getting paid for the most important day for your prospective clients, the cost will be easily made up for

Thank you very much for the suggestions. It is a huge help. That review site is great. Still going through all those, comparing prices and user reviews. (Seems the 80 or 100mm usm sf lens are pretty popular!) Thanks again, Rich

danob's advice on a good wide-angle is certainly sound - especially if you need to capture groups (famillies etc...) without being to back up as much as you might like to. Also, think of a low-light, something like a 50mm f1.4 or f1.7 you can use without flash.

" but it seems the focus is always a bit off. I have never gotten a perfect, in focus photo. I'm still not sure if it is the carpenter or the tools at fault though" I think this needs some investigation. I have seen improved results with better lenses, (I've also seen crappy results with high-end professional lenses). Yes, primes tend in general to be better than zooms. But "always a bit off"??? Sharpness is a strange animal; related to resolution, but also to contrast, Angle of the lighting, DOF, and camera motion. I know that my problem is usually camera motion, and a tripod helps a lot. In many of my situations having more light would give me better sharpness. Maybe a professional flash setup?