Uploaded March 2022 | Updated September 2026, 34 minutes ago
Gear I use:
Canon r6ii amzn.to/49Gf9AP
Canon r5ii amzn.to/4sZ2Fvr
Fuji x100vi amzn.to/4k2HuVo
RF 28-70 f2 amzn.to/465qaJx
RF 70-200 f2.8 amzn.to/3YYm8Pq
RF 50 1.2 amzn.to/46eZ02T
RF 35 1.4 amzn.to/3NFQOSW
RF 10-20 f4 amzn.to/4bRqTSi
RF 16 f2.8 amzn.to/49FguYr
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. By using them you can support this channel and the content that I make.
A quick note on gear:
I am well into my late photography career. I am at a point where I can and should (for write offs) buy the best gear available to me (for the most part). However there are plenty of alternatives for getting the job done with varying budgets. If you need specific advice on buying gear, feel free to reach out.
Event Photography Lenses!
0:00
0:07 24-70mm
01:22 17-40mm
04:04 16mm
04:59 70-200mm
08:15 Prime lenses
10:36 85mm
12:05 135mm
12:13 135mm vs 70-200mm
13:36 50mm
15:48 200mm
24-70
One of the least glamorous, but most widely used lenses, the 24-70 should likely be your first professional grade lens purchase. Does it need to be f2.8 or even Canon’s 28-70 f2 lens? Nope. But in most situations f2.8 is a plenty wide enough aperture for the job.
Most versatile zoom lens because of its focal range
Good for
Establishing shots
Detail shots
Close candids
Candid interactions
And even speakers on stage if you’re able to get close enough
This lens could easily be your one lens owned if you’re shooting in areas in which you can physically move your body as close or far aways as you need to get the shot
Other options
24-105 or Nikon’s 24-120
More versatile than a 24-70, but if I were choosing between a 24-70 f2.8 vs one of these lenses, I would prefer the versatility of a wider maximum F Stop.
17-40
Somewhere around 75% of the time I am using this lens at 17mm for my establishing shots
But also great for:
Large groups
Much lighter than any 24-70 (great for weight conscious people or for the end of a long long day) (especially if you don't need to shoot wider than f2.8
Other Options
RF 14-35 F4
RF 15-35 F2.8
EF 16-35 F2.8
Why I am happy with an f4 / usually when shooting wide, multiple subjects or establishing, having more depth is a good thing.
RF 16 f2.8
Because I have found that I am so often not using my 17-40 at any focal length other than 17mm, the RF 16mm has been an excellent lens for the distinct jobs in which I can shoot an entire event with one lens minus a small handful of wide shots. I can simply throw this in my bag- taking up nearly no space and contributing barely any weight.
70-200
great for close up candids
Can be less obtrusive, but I think a stealthy photographer that knows how to move can easily go unnoticed with something as “wide” as a 50mm.
BUT Typically used for reach when you CAN NOT physically move in closer
People on stage, etc.
A kids birthday party photographer could probably go their whole career without one, but for large corporate events, this lens is a MUST
Anything with more reach than 200mm
Shooting with just primes:
Sacrificing versatility for less weight (in most cases) and wider apertures
Why positioning matters
Memorizing / seeing in focal lengths / pre visualization
This really forces you to engage with your work, having physical, creative benefits
Can be lighter, but not necessarily
Especially great on a two body setup!
Prime Lenses I own:
RF 50mm f1.2
Currently my favorite lens
Unloved by some, I find the normal range to be exceptionally versatile. With it I can shoot:
wide scenes if I can backup enough
Candid interactions
Detail shots
Even close candids
Huge maximum aperture
Light weight
Incredible auto focus in low light
Max aperture, auto focus ability in low light, and my r6 IS allows me to shoot in light I would not be able to with any other lens I own
EF 85mm f1.8
Hard to beat for event photographers that may need to shoot impromptu portraits or set up a headshot station at a conference, for example
Classic portrait lens, but turns out to be a pretty great lens for shooting candids.
However, when shooting with two cameras, one with the 50mm, i find that the 135mm to be a better companion
EF 135 f2
Known for its excellent character (canon)
If that matters for events is another story
Also great for portraits
Can be used to shoot headshots
Becomes mostly impractical for anything but close up candids
F2 advantage to a 70-200 is somewhat offset by the 70-200 (IS), but shooting with a wider aperture with a faster shutter can be an advantage too.
EF 200 F2.8
Light but no IS
Also, not a pixel peeper, but likely somewhat dated optics
Not much lighter than the most modern 70-200 lenses (plastics)
In the end of the day, unless on a budget, prob not worth it
Patreon | patreon.com/mikmilman
Gear I use:
Canon r6ii amzn.to/49Gf9AP
Canon r5ii amzn.to/4sZ2Fvr
Fuji x100vi amzn.to/4k2HuVo
RF 28-70 f2 amzn.to/465qaJx
RF 70-200 f2.8 amzn.to/3YYm8Pq
RF 50 1.2 amzn.to/46eZ02T
RF 35 1.4 amzn.to/3NFQOSW
RF 10-20 f4 amzn.to/4bRqTSi
RF 16 f2.8 amzn.to/49FguYr
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. By using them you can support this channel and the content that I make.
A quick note on gear:
I am well into my late photography career. I am at a point where I can and should (for write offs) buy the best gear available to me (for the most part). However there are plenty of alternatives for getting the job done with varying budgets. If you need specific advice on buying gear, feel free to reach out.
Event Photography Lenses!
0:00
0:07 24-70mm
01:22 17-40mm
04:04 16mm
04:59 70-200mm
08:15 Prime lenses
10:36 85mm
12:05 135mm
12:13 135mm vs 70-200mm
13:36 50mm
15:48 200mm
24-70
One of the least glamorous, but most widely used lenses, the 24-70 should likely be your first professional grade lens purchase. Does it need to be f2.8 or even Canon’s 28-70 f2 lens? Nope. But in most situations f2.8 is a plenty wide enough aperture for the job.
Most versatile zoom lens because of its focal range
Good for
Establishing shots
Detail shots
Close candids
Candid interactions
And even speakers on stage if you’re able to get close enough
This lens could easily be your one lens owned if you’re shooting in areas in which you can physically move your body as close or far aways as you need to get the shot
Other options
24-105 or Nikon’s 24-120
More versatile than a 24-70, but if I were choosing between a 24-70 f2.8 vs one of these lenses, I would prefer the versatility of a wider maximum F Stop.
17-40
Somewhere around 75% of the time I am using this lens at 17mm for my establishing shots
But also great for:
Large groups
Much lighter than any 24-70 (great for weight conscious people or for the end of a long long day) (especially if you don't need to shoot wider than f2.8
Other Options
RF 14-35 F4
RF 15-35 F2.8
EF 16-35 F2.8
Why I am happy with an f4 / usually when shooting wide, multiple subjects or establishing, having more depth is a good thing.
RF 16 f2.8
Because I have found that I am so often not using my 17-40 at any focal length other than 17mm, the RF 16mm has been an excellent lens for the distinct jobs in which I can shoot an entire event with one lens minus a small handful of wide shots. I can simply throw this in my bag- taking up nearly no space and contributing barely any weight.
70-200
great for close up candids
Can be less obtrusive, but I think a stealthy photographer that knows how to move can easily go unnoticed with something as “wide” as a 50mm.
BUT Typically used for reach when you CAN NOT physically move in closer
People on stage, etc.
A kids birthday party photographer could probably go their whole career without one, but for large corporate events, this lens is a MUST
Anything with more reach than 200mm
Shooting with just primes:
Sacrificing versatility for less weight (in most cases) and wider apertures
Why positioning matters
Memorizing / seeing in focal lengths / pre visualization
This really forces you to engage with your work, having physical, creative benefits
Can be lighter, but not necessarily
Especially great on a two body setup!
Prime Lenses I own:
RF 50mm f1.2
Currently my favorite lens
Unloved by some, I find the normal range to be exceptionally versatile. With it I can shoot:
wide scenes if I can backup enough
Candid interactions
Detail shots
Even close candids
Huge maximum aperture
Light weight
Incredible auto focus in low light
Max aperture, auto focus ability in low light, and my r6 IS allows me to shoot in light I would not be able to with any other lens I own
EF 85mm f1.8
Hard to beat for event photographers that may need to shoot impromptu portraits or set up a headshot station at a conference, for example
Classic portrait lens, but turns out to be a pretty great lens for shooting candids.
However, when shooting with two cameras, one with the 50mm, i find that the 135mm to be a better companion
EF 135 f2
Known for its excellent character (canon)
If that matters for events is another story
Also great for portraits
Can be used to shoot headshots
Becomes mostly impractical for anything but close up candids
F2 advantage to a 70-200 is somewhat offset by the 70-200 (IS), but shooting with a wider aperture with a faster shutter can be an advantage too.
EF 200 F2.8
Light but no IS
Also, not a pixel peeper, but likely somewhat dated optics
Not much lighter than the most modern 70-200 lenses (plastics)
In the end of the day, unless on a budget, prob not worth it
Patreon | patreon.com/mikmilman
