Shooting weddings is stressful, mostly because you only have one opportunity to really make your clients happy. That being the case, you need to use gear that you can rely on to get you exactly what you and the client envision. Does the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM lens fit into that category?
In a professional, working capacity, I've only ever shot one wedding in my life. A friend asked if I'd help him out, and I begrudgingly accepted. I say begrudgingly because, for one, I simply wanted to enjoy the day and drink with friends without having to worry about work of any kind, and two, because I didn't really want the pressure that comes with being responsible for memorializing someone's biggest day. As a landscape and seascape photographer, I like to take my time with scouting out locations, thinking about composition, and waiting for the right conditions, but you can't take your time as much when you're shooting weddings, and that is stressful. What you absolutely cannot compromise on, in my opinion, is having the right gear for the occasion. But, what is the right gear?
That question brings us to this great video by Taylor Jackson, in which he gives us a behind-the-scenes look at a wedding he recently shot using, among other lenses, the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM lens. At f/1.2, this lens is fast, and that, to me, is vital when you're shooting weddings. What I found most interesting with this video is Jackson walking you through how he shoots different types of images with a 50mm prime lens. For example, he discusses his techniques for taking group shots, candid shots, and in situ shots, all while discussing the merits of this lens. It's quite reasonably priced at $1,998, and if Jackson's video is anything to go by, that's quite a bargain. What are your thoughts on this lens or others you can recommend for wedding photography?
I think the groom says it all, it's better than the 50 1.1, but jokes aside it's a fantastic lens that has little flaws apart from the weight and price obviously. It makes the 85GM feel dated and slow. Sony did hit the ball out of the park with this one.