Can't Decide

[Claudie]

Hi I posted under the lens section about which lens to get. I have finally decided to get the 17-55mm f2.8, after reading so much under the wedding section. It is most helpful thanks. I also see that the 70-200mm f2.8 lens is popular to use. Is this the one with IS? I'd love to get the lens as well, but can't afford the the one with IS at the moment. I am also trying to decide on wether I should rather get the 70-200 IS f4 which is much cheaper then both of them and rather get me another speedlite (580EX II) or if I should leave the speedlite and get the 70 - 200 f2.8 (not the IS one).

The wedding I am doing is the begining of December, so getting a lens a month. I got the 85mm f1.8 this month, well should actually arrive today or tomorrow which I can't wait for and just put my order in for the 17-55mm F2.8.

In My kit at the moment I have

Camera: Canon 30D, Canon 350D Canon 300D

Lens wise: 18-55mm (lens kit), 55-200mm, 50mm F1.8, 85mm F1.8, 17-55mm f2.8 (next month)

Speedlite: 430EX

Thanks
Claudie

[RobKirkwood]

Don't get a non-IS lens in this range for weddings, it's the IS that makes it really useful (primarily the ability to handhold at slow shutter speeds), and you'll end up buying the IS version eventually anyway.

The 70-200 f4 IS is a very fine lens, equally good as (if not better than) the 70-200 f2.8 IS at f4 or above ...but if you need f2.8 there's really only one choice.

But, as you've already bought the 85mm f1.8, do you really need a 70-200 range zoom at this moment? I wouldn't be worried about having to shoot a wedding with 17-55 f2.8 IS and 85 f1.8 ...but I guess this is really determined by the style of shots you want/need to take?

Rob

[Claudie]

Thanks Rob, that is most useful.

The 70-200mm I want not only for weddings, but other things as well. I also mostly want to use it outside, so I think I will go then with the f4 IS and get the extra speedlite.

Thanks again, off to put my order in for my new equipment and will wait patiently for it to come so I can play with it.

[TimSewell]

Hey Rob, where'd you get the 17-55 f0.28 IS? That must be the fastest lens I've ever heard of!

[tim]

I find myself shooting at ISO1600, F2.8, 1/30th in some churches so I wouldn't give up the F2.8 or the IS. If you'll mostly be shooting outside F4's fine. When I first started doing weddings most were outside, as I get to higher end weddings more are inside, and in churches. You can always upgrade later though, lenses tend to retain their value pretty well.

[samnz]

Definitely the 70-200 f2.8 IS. If you can imagine the useability of the 17-55 with IS on - then the range of 200 will absolutely astound you.

The 17-55 stays on the 30D while the 70-200 stays on the 20D. Sometimes (depending on the size of the room), I might swap the 70-200 for the 80/1.8. ...just as a matter of interest.

[RobKirkwood]

Hey Rob, where'd you get the 17-55 f0.28 IS? That must be the fastest lens I've ever heard of!Doh! ...you should see the size of the front element though, try buying a filter for that one.

Rob