Some advice would be great

[brusselandsprout]

Hi

I am currently thinkning about extending my work into wedding photography

My question is - I have the lenses mentioned below - what ones should I keep? If any! And what ones should I sell to buy another lens - and then obviously - what one would that be?


Canon Kit lens - EFS 18-55mm 1:3.5 - 5.6
Tamron AF 55-200mm 1:4-5.6
Canon 50mm 1:1.8 II
Sigma 28-70mm 1:2.8-4

Any info would be great - as the photos and advice I have found in this forum has been brilliant!

Ta

Roger

[islandphoto]

You have a good range here - I personally dont' care much for the 18-55 and the rest I haven't actually used - for me I try to stick with canon and preferably L lenses :) But I'm not familar with sigma and tamron - they could be good but I don't think as good as canon :)

[liza]

When you shoot something as important as a wedding, it's prudent to have good equipment and backups for each piece. I shot my last one mostly with the 17-55IS and the Sigma 70-200 but had a 28-70L, 70-200 f/4L , and a backpack full of other lenses to back those up. I also have two camera bodies, with a borrowed third one, and two flashes with several sets of batteries. Memory is very important, too. I wouldn't do a wedding with less than 10GB of CF cards nor would I think of doing one without extra camera batteries. Weddings are all about preparation. :)

[brusselandsprout]

Thanks for the replies

I am adding to those things mentioned - I have two bodies now, 6 gig of memory and will be looking at an extra flash soon.

Which model exactly is the sigma 70-200?

thanks again

Roger

[tlc]

i would sell that 18-55 for the 17-55 2.8 IS - the one you hve now (and you wont get that much for it) is too slow for weddings indoors. you need some good glass to do a wedding and while you do have some good lenses, it only looks like you ahve two that are usable and by that i mean fast enough - most churches will not let you use flash so it is a must tha tyou have fast glass.

your going to need much more. backup camera, etc. so you really need to think about this and start investing..... and... you have a nice website, but your going to have to improve on your galleries. they are somehwat lacking in substance and your going to need to be able to appeal to 'brides'. spend some time on your site - its got a very strong base right now as it is, but could do with a 'spring cleaning' and a touch up - and i mean this in a very positive way!

[brusselandsprout]

TLC - thanks for the comments - the website is on the list for next week!

How much does the 17-55 IS cost - about?

I do have a back up camera - the 30D and the 400D - are they ok?

Thanks again

[liza]

Which model exactly is the sigma 70-200?


Roger

It a 70-200 f/2.8 DG Macro HSM. It's on loan for the summer from work. ;)

I'm planning to sell my Tamron 28-75 and my 70-200 f/4L in the near future to help finance the Canon 70-200 f/2.8IS. Although portraits and sports are my mainstay, I would like to add more weddings to the mix. The Canon IS lens seems to be almost a staple in terms of wedding equipment. I feel it would be an excellent business investment.

[tlc]

its about 630 at warehouse express, and i think there is cashback on it. i think for right now, that would be your most wise investment, along with a 580 flash. how much memory do you have? how do you plan on marketing, etc? its somehwat more complex than just saying you want to do weddings as i am sure you know - good lulck!

oh and those cameras are fine for backups.

[liza]

its about 630 at warehouse express, and i think there is cashback on it. i think for right now, that would be your most wise investment, along with a 580 flash. how much memory do you have? how do you plan on marketing, etc? its somehwat more complex than just saying you want to do weddings as i am sure you know - good lulck!

oh and those cameras are fine for backups.


Agreed. The 17-55 is the lens I use most these days with a 20D body and 580EX flash. I opted for a 10D backup for the time being, as I can't abide XT/XTI bodies. My preference is to have a backup with similar controls and the same battery. Next year, I plan to move up to a 5D or a 1 Series body.

And tlc is correct about marketing. It really isn't as much about gear as it is about business, specifically marketing.

[brusselandsprout]

This info is great - thanks

I know what you mean about the backup being the same as the main - but until I can afford it the 400D will have to do - it is weird how used to the jog dial of the 30D you get - so quickly!

I have a bit of time next week to sort out the website and think about marketing.

Will start saving for the 17-55 - birthday coming up in the not too distant future!

Thanks again - and anymore info always appreciated.


Roger

[mmahoney]

Any info would be great

My advice would be to establish your shooting style first, then buy the gear to accomodate that style. Do you like to shoot wide or tight? .. are you going to be depending on mostly natural light or flash? .. when taking candid shots are you the type to get close to your subjects and interact or shoot from a distance paparazzi style? Is weight & size a consideration?

And the answers to these questions will often create new questions as you refine your answers to include other considerations. So there is a lot to think about.

For a start go to the websites & blogs of photographers you admire and check the EXIF info on some of their shots to see the lenses & settings used.
Mike

[tlc]

My advice would be to establish your shooting style first, then buy the gear to accomodate that style. Do you like to shoot wide or tight? .. are you going to be depending on mostly natural light or flash? .. when taking candid shots are you the type to get close to your subjects and interact or shoot from a distance paparazzi style? Is weight & size a consideration?

And the answers to these questions will often create new questions as you refine your answers to include other considerations. So there is a lot to think about.

For a start go to the websites & blogs of photographers you admire and check the EXIF info on some of their shots to see the lenses & settings used.
Mike

i'm going to have to disagree with that (to a point). first off, you need wide, regardless of your style becaue your bride is going to want shots with everyone in them and shots of teh venue, reception room, etc.

natural light is fine, for some instances, but at the reception your not going to get away wtih that.

having your own style is fine - to a point - but in wedding photography you must always be able to accomodate the bride and groom, period.

[mmahoney]

For example this guy:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=328409

Is worth checking out .. the series in the above link is not his best work, but check his PBase galleries .. some of the shots are stunning and primarily shot with three lenses .. 14, 50, and 85mm.

The lens choice here is a deciding factor in the shooters style and makes his work different.

Having a creative distinction that sets you apart from the zillion other shooters with a 17-55 2.8 hitched to a 580 is what allows you to stand out in a crowded marketplace and grow your business.
Mike

[brusselandsprout]

Thanks for all the comments- it has been really useful.


I think I am going to sit down and have a think about where I want to go with this - then work out a plan!

thanks again - will have a look at the suggested photographer.

Roger

[richardho11]

You have a good range here - I personally dont' care much for the 18-55 and the rest I haven't actually used - for me I try to stick with canon and preferably L lenses :) But I'm not familar with sigma and tamron - they could be good but I don't think as good as canon :)


In other words, dump all your gear and get the 17-55 IS, 24-70L, 70-200 f/2.8 IS L, 35L and the ultimate portature lens 85L MKII and you will be set! lol ;) :p

[liza]

In other words, dump all your gear and get the 17-55 IS, 24-70L, 70-200 f/2.8 IS L, 35L and the ultimate portature lens 85L MKII and you will be set! lol ;) :p

Actually, that's pretty much on target, though the OP could get by without the expensive L primes.

[GertS]

In other words, dump all your gear and get the 17-55 IS, 24-70L, 70-200 f/2.8 IS L, 35L and the ultimate portature lens 85L MKII and you will be set! lol ;) :p

Oh, you forgot the 1Ds Mark II as backup. ;) :lol:
The lenses you mentioned are together far beyond a beginner's budget. But you added the smileys. ;)
A 50 / 1.4 is a great lens for low light and it's affordable. I use it quite a lot on my 5D.

[brusselandsprout]

thanks - might start shopping around - how big is the difference between the 1.8 50mm and the 1.4 50mm?

Will start scouring the internet for bargains!

thanks again

Roger

[liza]

thanks - might start shopping around - how big is the difference between the 1.8 50mm and the 1.4 50mm?

Will start scouring the internet for bargains!

thanks again

Roger

The 1.8 version has some ugly bokeh, IMO. If I didn't already have the 85mm, I'd probably get the 1.4 myself.
'
And consider looking in the Classifieds on this forum and on the Buy and Sell forum on www.fredmiranda.com. You can get better deals there than on Fleabay. Another option is www.keh.com. They're good people, too.

[GertS]

thanks - might start shopping around - how big is the difference between the 1.8 50mm and the 1.4 50mm?


The 1.4 is focusing better in low light too. There are several threads regarding these two lenses.