I need Lens selection help

[tkrick27]

I'm shooting my first wedding in June, and I only have enough for two lenses between now and then. I currently have a 5d Mark ii with the kit lens (F4 24-105) I'm considering 4 lenses:

F2.8L 16-35
F2.8L 24-70
F2.8L 70-200
F1.2L 50mm

I think that the 70-200 is a must for weddings. Of the ones I have listed, I think the 16-35 is the least likely one I would need, but I'm not sure if I'll need the 24-70 for help with lower light, or if the 70-200 will do most of my work anyways, so the 50mm is a good one to have for portraits. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[tkrick27]

Another question is could I get by with just my kit lens and the 70-200, or is there a must have lens besides the 70-200?

[Catlover]

Another question is could I get by with just my kit lens and the 70-200, or is there a must have lens besides the 70-200?

Yes, the 70-200/2.8 w/IS is a must....as far as the other lenses, the 24-70 will be fine, at 2.8 and the high ISO capability of the 5D2, you should be able to get very nicely exposed images even with natural light.

Did you consider the Tamron 28-75/f2.8, it's just as good as the 24-70 with the only drawback being the low light focusing.

I'm assuming you have at least a hotshoe flash?

[tkrick27]

Yes, the 70-200/2.8 w/IS is a must....as far as the other lenses, the 24-70 will be fine, at 2.8 and the high ISO capability of the 5D2, you should be able to get very nicely exposed images even with natural light.

Did you consider the Tamron 28-75/f2.8, it's just as good as the 24-70 with the only drawback being the low light focusing.

I'm assuming you have at least a hotshoe flash?

Yes, I have a 580exii. I also have a light stand with an umbrella, and may get another flash and light stand by the time the wedding roles around.

[airbutchie]

You may also consider adding another body (rent or purchase)... As far as glass is concerned, the "Brick" and the 70-200 2.8L IS is a fantastic combo to get through the day... Good luck...

- airbutchie :)

[Svetlana]

What is the "Brick"?

[swjim]

"The Brick" is a nickname for the 24-70 f/2.8L.

[PipesInTune]

70-200 IS

[Mint_Sauce]

I would go with the 24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 IS because that's what I have and wouldn't change the combo. :)

[donrask]

If the 24-105 is the L series lens...that isn't an ordinary kit lens! I just traded my 24-70 2.8L for the 24-105 f4 L and couldn't be happier. The 70-200 2.8 would be my other lens, and then get the 17-40 2.8L down the road. You will use the 24-105 far more than any other lens in the course of the day.

I agree with having a back up body in the bag...may prove to be more important than having other lenses.

I may be the odd one in that I don't own any "prime lenses", but the 50 1.2L would be a pretty expensive piece of gear that wouldn't see a lot of use. The 85mm would be a better prime lens...better for extremely low light portraits.

[jhcanon]

As far as I'm awar ethe 24-105 only comes in "L"

[viet]

Sell your 24-105 and get the 16-35 and 70-200 IS. Forget about the 24-70, and 50 1.2. You will grow out of the 24-70, and the 50 1.2 while really good, not many use for weddings. The 70-200 is something you might regret buying instead of the IS version if you start doing more weddings. Plus, it retains value better than the NON IS version should you decide to sell it.

The 85L II, or 135L on the other hand, is something you want to look into once you get comfortable with your shooting style.

[amfoto1]

You ask about lenses specifically, but don't mention details of your other equipment, beside the one camera. When budgeting for this there are some other things that need to be taken into consideration...

If this is for pay and you plan to shoot more weddings for pay in the future, you really must have backup equipment. You need a second camera, first and foremost, plus plenty of extra batteries, twice the memory cards you think you'll need, and at least two flash set ups.

Tripod? Monopod? One or both might be important if shooting with non-IS telephotos.

So, when selecting lenses, keep in mind other major items you need, too.

Lenses are very much a matter of personal choice. But, by far the two most popular Canon among wedding photographers - for use on full frame cameras like yours - are 24-70/2.8 and 70-200/2.8 IS. Definitely try to get IS on the latter lens, but it's possible to substitute the non-IS so long as you stick with the f2.8. If budget still doesn't allow, then there are some pretty darned good 70-200/2.8 Sigma and Tamron lenses (about $700), although these are also non-IS. The Sigma has HSM, which is like Canon USM auto focusing: faster and quieter.

Any wide angle such as the 16-35 is a little bit more of a specialty lens. Some shoot a lot with these at weddings, others don't. They are useful for large groups, wide shots at the reception, exteriors of the church, departures, etc. 17-40 could be substituted as a lower cost alternative, and this would be my only f4 lens recommendation here. You can get by with f4 on a wide angle like this, but not on normal to tele focal lengths. A 20/2.8 prime could also be substituted for wide angle needs on a FF camera like yours.

For portraiture, soft background effects and low light work without flash, 50/1.4, 85/1.8 and 135/2 would be good choices. 28/1.8 might also be useful, but is pretty close to the zoom's capabilities so might not be necessary. If you have plenty of money to burn and don't mind the size/weight and slower focusing, plus are willing to take the time to learn to use them well (super shallow DOF when wide open), the 50/1.2 and 85/1.2 could be substituted. The premium substitute for the 28/1.8 would be the 35/1.4... Now this is a lens I might personally want, just because it's a focal length I use a lot. Also note that the zooms and primes back each other up, but still each offers distinct capabilities and advantages.

If it were me, I think I'd go with:

24-70/2.8, swap the 24-105 for this. It will cost a couple hundred $ to do so, probably.
70-200/2.8 IS, $1700 (cheaper alt: non IS f2.8, $1200, or third party $700)
20/2.8, $475 w/hood
50/1.4, $350 w/hood
85/1.8, $380 w/hood
135/2, $935

The latter four lenses are instead of 16-35 and 50/1.2 on your list, the two of which combined would cost about $600 more than these four primes.

Now let's consider the two flashes, two off camera shoe cords and two flash brackets... and that other camera body. If you went with used 550EX you might be able to get two rigs for the $600 saved with the lenses above. They are the same power output as current models, just recycle a little slower, but the current 580EX II will cost a bit more. Whatever model flash you end up with, a CP-E2 or 3 battery pack is handy for faster recycling and longer shooting time. Alternatively, have lots of extra AAs.

Personally I'd want a matched camera body, but some like to use a crop sensor to "leverage" their lens kit a bit. You might be able to rent a second body and flash for the event. In which case I'd really want both to be the same models I own, so there is no learning curve or awkwardness switching back and forth. Right now, 5D Mk II availability is sketchy, but by June rental shops may have them. Check with local shops to see if they anticipate having the camera available, and reserve it ASAP, if you decide to go the rental route.

[tim]

You can shoot a whole wedding with a 5DII and 24-105. You might consider renting the 70-200 F2.8 IS, a second body, and maybe a wider lens but don't know if the latter is really required. A backup main lens is always a good idea, even if it's a 50mm prime or something.