Which Lens for Event Photography? My Field Feedback

This is the question I'm asked most often. And the annoying answer: it depends. But I'll tell you what I actually use, and why.

My Main Setup: 24-70mm f/4

This is my default lens. The one that stays on my A7 III 90% of the time when I cover an event.

Why? Because it's versatile. At 24mm, you shoot wide — the room, the crowd, the context. At 70mm, you isolate a face, a detail, an interaction. You don't need to change lenses, and at an event, you don't have the time.

The downside: it only opens to f/4. In a dark room, it's tight. I compensate with ISO.

When I Take the 35mm f/1.8

Photo by Noiseporn on Unsplash The 35mm is my documentary lens. When I want to capture the atmosphere without being too close or too far.

At f/1.8, it lets in a ton of light. In a poorly lit indoor event (and almost all of them are poorly lit), it's a game-changer. I can shoot at 1600 ISO instead of 6400.

The drawback: it's a prime lens. No zoom. You have to move your feet to frame the shot. In a packed event where you can't move much, it can sometimes be a hassle.

The 85mm for Portraits

When I know I'll be taking portraits during the event — sponsors, speakers, VIP guests — I bring the 85mm.

At f/1.8, the bokeh is gorgeous. The subject stands out perfectly from the background. It's the lens that gets the "wow" reaction when you show the photos.

But it's too tight to cover an entire event. You only see people's faces, not the context. I use it as a secondary lens, not the primary one.

The 70-200mm: When You Can't Get Close

Photo by Norbert Braun on Unsplash Car shows, conferences, stages — when you are far from the subject and need to isolate them, the 70-200 is your friend. But it's big, it's heavy, and in a crowded cocktail party, it's useless.

I only bring it when I know I'll be far away. Typically at the Lyon Motor Show, where I have to shoot cars through the crowd.

What I Pack for a Typical Event

Most of the time, I head out with two lenses:

1. 24-70mm f/4 on the camera — to cover everything
2. 35mm f/1.8 in my pocket — for when the light gets too dim

That's it. No 70-200, no macro, no ultra-wide. The less gear you carry, the more mobile you are. And at an event, mobility is everything.

What I Don't Recommend for Beginners

The 50mm

Everyone says "buy a 50mm, it's the perfect lens." That's true for learning, less so for an event. It's neither wide enough for context nor long enough for portraits. It's the lens that does everything mediocrely.

The Ultra-Wide (16mm or less)

It distorts faces. If you shoot someone up close at 16mm, their nose gets bigger and their eyes shrink. For a landscape or a whole room, fine. For people, no.

My Advice If You Only Have One Lens

Get a 24-70mm. It doesn't matter what brand, or whether it's f/2.8 or f/4. It's the lens that will let you do everything without overthinking. Once you know what you like to shoot, you can add a prime lens.

I can talk about this directly with you if you want, every situation is different. Reach out, I reply within 24 hours.