People always look for the best lens for certain types of photography. Like “the best lens for event photography”. Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as just reading a blog post and buying that lens. But I can still help.
Like often it’s trial and error. See what works best for you. There are all kinds of lenses to choose from (I made this handy guide to help you understand them). So, which one is the right one?
I’m going to share with you my trials and errors and how I came to my preferred Nikon lens for corporate event photography.
The challenges in (corporate) event photography
Let’s first talk about the challenges you might encounter. Ofcourse, every event is different and has its challenges, but in general, there are a few things you’ll often encounter.
First of all, events can be fast-paced. A speaker there, someone raising their hand there, and then, of ofcourse, the kitchen preparing the buffet during the breaks. All of these moments ask for versatility in your lens.
That’s why I prefer zoom lenses instead of prime lenses*. I did use prime lenses for a long time, thinking the higher quality and f/1.8 were more critical. And though they can have a time and place in slower-paced events, Zoom helps you out when things are going off all over the place.
*Learn more about the different types of lenses in my lenses guide.
Ofcourse, events are also often in low-light environments. Making those f/1.8 lenses more attractive than the f/2.8 zooms. You don’t want your shutter speed too slow and your ISO too high.
But even then, zoom lenses are more useful. It’s usually better to invest in a good flash, like the Godox v1, in case you need extra light.
My Favorite Nikon Z Series Lens for Event Photography?
Which brings me to the final answer to the big question of this blog post: What is my favorite lens for corporate event photography?
It’s the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 lens.
To me, it’s the perfect fit. It’s a zoom lens with a good range for wide shots of the entire venue and close-ups of people networking.
With an f/2.8 aperture, it’s also light-sensitive enough for the darkest venues. Especially when combined with a Godox V1 flash.
It also allows for blurring the background when there’s too much going on. Visually simplifying the scene to make my subjects pop more.
Additional gear to combine with the ultimate lens
I mostly use the 24-70 f/2.8 lens on my Nikon Z8. Together with a Godox V1, it delivers sharp, colorful, and engaging images at every event I get hired for. As a second camera, when there’s also a large room with a podium, I use a Nikon Z7 II with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens.
As there is no ultimate lens, I’m not claiming this one to be either. But for now, it’s been perfect for how I use it. So I can recommend the setup to any other event photographer, pro or beginner.