Getting geared up - advice needed

[Dorman]

Hi all,

Rather than do a double post I thought I'd just link to my thread in the lens forum. Please take a look here:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=335463

I'm getting geared up for shooting more weddngs/events as there is quite a bit of demand for those services now. What I'm needing is some faster glass to augment my current kit, it's a bit of do I go with really good Canon glass, or good third party glass and a 2nd body.

Please let me know what you think either here or in that other thread. Thanks for looking!

[jackies35]

ok. I am in the same situation (first wedding in August) but willing to wait since I am learning as I go along...

1. Get the 17-55 F/2.8 IS, use it to complete some jobs and then get a 2nd body. Perhaps borrow a body to have in the car as backup just incase.

2. Get a used 20D and a Tamron 17-50 F/2.8 - compromise gets a bit of everything.

So far, I would say 1 & 2 is a go... I think someone (wedding specialist) could finalize your answer more from experience. However, I think I have to look and test the 17-50 first, and then go with 2 (if it sharp and fast). But then again, the 17-55 is a killer lens...it's hard to say no!!:lol:

[Dorman]

Jackie, thanks for the feedback, while I am fairly new to this genre of shooting it isn't my first wedding or engagement shoot, I have a few under my belt. At the time I did have some faster glass that I have sold off over time.

I'm really leaning towards just getting the 17-55 F/2.8 IS and borrowing a friends body as backup until I earn enough revenue to invest in a 2nd camera of my own. I've had a few bad experiences with 3rd party stuff so I'd prefer to stay OEM.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

That's what I did when I was starting out with weddings...bought up all the L glass, Custom Brackets, flashes, and bag full of batteries/CF's I needed, and just borrowed my father's 20D and what not for backup.

[Dorman]

Yeah that's what I'm thinking is best Ron. I figure by September I'll have enough revenue to pick up a 30D body and maybe a long fast prime (I don't want to replace my 70-200 F/4 with the 2.8 IS version). That being said my lens lineup is pretty decent, if the 17-55 pans out I'll sell off my beloved 17-40 and put that towards upgrades.

[MrsOpie]

seeing your current set up I would get a Sigma or Canon 24-70/2.8 and a Canon 20D then your good to go. Once you get some more money replace for 70-200/4 with a 2.8 IS.

[Dorman]

Thanks for the input MrsOpie, I previously had the Tamron 28-75 and it wasn't that great of a range for me. I would much prefer starting at 17mm (the equiv of you starting at 24mm) fullframe.

[Dorman]

If I were to go for the Tamron 17-50 F/2.8 as a lower cost substitute for the 17-55 IS that would leave me coin left over for some other gear. Is there a fast prime that anyone out here finds particularly useful for weddings/events? I was thinking the 85mm F/1.8 for times when you can't get near the front of the church.

[Kamra 1]

I see by your equipment listing you have enough lenses to get you through any emergency if one fails. What you need is a backup camera. Remember Murphy's Law. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. At least be prepared. I wouldn't go out on such an important job without backup. Next I'd get another flash unit, preferably the 580EX for master/slave option and backup. Hope that helps: Tony

[nzdigital]

Seems to be a lot of us in the same situation.

I'm also getting ready for next wedding season, and am completely changing from Nikon to Canon (that's another story).

Anyway - long story short I'm fretting about the EF-S 17-55f2.8 IS which does, on paper, appear to be 'the' lens to get - especially for those of us not using FF.

BUT - what about the build quality? The dust that is supposed to appear after a short while - and all that plastic? I can afford an 'L' lens (after selling all my Nikon gear), but there just doesn't seem to be a better fit than the EF-S 17-55.

Anyone who uses this lens on a regular basis and can vouch for this lens? Otherwise it might have to be the 24-70mm F2.8L (but I'd prefer wider).

[Dorman]

I went with the Tamron 17-50 F/2.8, I couldn't afford the 17-55 IS and needed a 2.8 lens in this range. Once I do a few jobs I'll likely upgrade but if the Tamron is alright I'll pick up my own 2nd body rather than borrowing.

[Stan43]

I would suggest the Tamron 17-50 2.8 and the Canon 85 1.8. Good lenses for low light and the 17-50 an handle groups.

[ErikM]

I have used my 17-55 for over 5000 shots now including a trip to (DRY AND DUSTY) Las Vegas. It has no dust in the lens and its been 10/10 as far as I am concerned :) Visit the image archive for the 17-55 for lots of samples :)


Seems to be a lot of us in the same situation.

I'm also getting ready for next wedding season, and am completely changing from Nikon to Canon (that's another story).

Anyway - long story short I'm fretting about the EF-S 17-55f2.8 IS which does, on paper, appear to be 'the' lens to get - especially for those of us not using FF.

BUT - what about the build quality? The dust that is supposed to appear after a short while - and all that plastic? I can afford an 'L' lens (after selling all my Nikon gear), but there just doesn't seem to be a better fit than the EF-S 17-55.

Anyone who uses this lens on a regular basis and can vouch for this lens? Otherwise it might have to be the 24-70mm F2.8L (but I'd prefer wider).