One lens for a wedding?

I am not a pro photographer, but I want to take pictures of my friends wedding. They plan on hiring a professional photographer but they insisted they still want me to take some photos. So my question is what is one type of lens that I need to shoot the wedding with. I have a Nikon D50.
Thanks.

Never shot a wedding before so this is just a stab.....I would imagine that you would want something wide. What lens [es] do you have now. I know you said that you are not a pro photographer so I will not say Nikon 17-55. Do you have the 55-200 (may have came in as part of the D50 kit)? If so, I would try using that lens. This way you will still be able to shoot parts of the wedding but wont be intrusive to the paid photographer. Either way, best of luck and post up your results afterwards!

18-55 could work

Since you are not the hiring photographer. You could rent or buy (if you have the money) a 70-200 f2.8.

kk6600 wrote: 18-55 could work

That is the only lens I have and to be honest, there are times I do not like the quality. However I never bought a new lens to replace it because up until now I have just been taking pictures of my kids. So it was no big deal. But now I would like a nice lens to shoot the wedding.

If there is one lens that is a great all around lens I have no problem buying it. I just need to know what it is. I had the 18-55 for so long, I am ready to upgrade and spend money if need too (not thousands, but enough)

Well there are plenty of quality glass out there then. If you plan on staying with the D50, and want a lens that will autofocus, you are going to get stuck with buying mroe expensive lenses (AF-S). But, if you upgrade your body to anything that has a focus motor built into it, then you will be able to (AF) the lesser expensive glass (D lenses). I just picked up a Tokina AT-X Pro 28-80 2.8. This lens is a beast and is sharp, not to mention the bokeh is beautiful. The lens new ran right around $800 iirc and I picked it up off craigslist in LNIB for $400.

Oh yeah, take a look at KEH.com also. They have some really nice Nikon glass on there and also you can use their prices to get an average for lenses you find anywhere else.

Pick up a prime lens like the AF-s Nikkor 35mm 1.8G, and if you can, get a AF-s Nikkor 50mm 1.8G as well. Lots of rave reviews for these lenses, and they are sharp!

john_m wrote: Well there are plenty of quality glass out there then. If you plan on staying with the D50, and want a lens that will autofocus, you are going to get stuck with buying mroe expensive lenses (AF-S). But, if you upgrade your body to anything that has a focus motor built into it, then you will be able to (AF) the lesser expensive glass (D lenses). I just picked up a Tokina AT-X Pro 28-80 2.8. This lens is a beast and is sharp, not to mention the bokeh is beautiful. The lens new ran right around $800 iirc and I picked it up off craigslist in LNIB for $400.

I don't have a D50, but to my knowledge it has an auto focus motor in it. Well i thought it did.

kk6600 wrote:

john_m wrote: Well there are plenty of quality glass out there then. If you plan on staying with the D50, and want a lens that will autofocus, you are going to get stuck with buying mroe expensive lenses (AF-S). But, if you upgrade your body to anything that has a focus motor built into it, then you will be able to (AF) the lesser expensive glass (D lenses). I just picked up a Tokina AT-X Pro 28-80 2.8. This lens is a beast and is sharp, not to mention the bokeh is beautiful. The lens new ran right around $800 iirc and I picked it up off craigslist in LNIB for $400.

I don't have a D50, but to my knowledge it has an auto focus motor in it. Well i thought it did.

You are correct. My Nikon D50 has an auto focus motor in it, which is one of the reasons I bought it. So in case I were to ever get a new lens, I wouldn't have to worry about the lens itself being an auto focus lens, cuz the camera will still auto focus.

john_m wrote: Oh yeah, take a look at KEH.com also. They have some really nice Nikon glass on there and also you can use their prices to get an average for lenses you find anywhere else.

Thank you. I will check out keh. I bought my camera as a package from B&H but I haven't bought anything camera related since I bought this camera. So I am willing to look at other sites.

McBeth Photography wrote: Pick up a prime lens like the AF-s Nikkor 35mm 1.8G, and if you can, get a AF-s Nikkor 50mm 1.8G as well. Lots of rave reviews for these lenses, and they are sharp!

Thanks. That was going to be my next question. As to if I should get a prime lens and which one. But you already answered.

kk6600 wrote:

john_m wrote: Well there are plenty of quality glass out there then. If you plan on staying with the D50, and want a lens that will autofocus, you are going to get stuck with buying mroe expensive lenses (AF-S). But, if you upgrade your body to anything that has a focus motor built into it, then you will be able to (AF) the lesser expensive glass (D lenses). I just picked up a Tokina AT-X Pro 28-80 2.8. This lens is a beast and is sharp, not to mention the bokeh is beautiful. The lens new ran right around $800 iirc and I picked it up off craigslist in LNIB for $400.

I don't have a D50, but to my knowledge it has an auto focus motor in it. Well i thought it did.

Yeah, your right (just looked it up). I always thought the D70 was the only entry level Nikon that had it. Well in that case, I would start looking for some quality D lenses.

Jo0c7 wrote:

McBeth Photography wrote: Pick up a prime lens like the AF-s Nikkor 35mm 1.8G, and if you can, get a AF-s Nikkor 50mm 1.8G as well. Lots of rave reviews for these lenses, and they are sharp!

Thanks. That was going to be my next question. As to if I should get a prime lens and which one. But you already answered.

I use the 50mm 1.8D lens and it is wonderful and sharp at f4. The only issue I can see is trying to use it during a wedding since you will need to move around to compose your shots (which may not be feasable). Either way though, the 50mm is an outstading performer and great all-around lens. Best of luck!