Lens reccomendations

[bigtruck1369]

Now that I've assuaged my concerns about using my XTi as a primary wedding body, which lenses do you guys think would work best for a crop camera like that? I'm planning on renting glass, and I can get L glass really reasonably, so really good glass is not out of the question.

I was thinking of renting an EF-S 10-22 and a 24-105 f/4L IS or a 24-70 f/2.8L.

Do I really need the super-wide angle capability? I was considering the 10-22 because I'd heard that the L zooms weren't quite wide enough for a crop body.

Any opinions about the 24-105 vs. the 24-70? There are trade offs, of course... The 105 has stabilization while the 70 is faster... Which would you all rather have?

I already own the Canon 50 f1.8 (nifty fifty) so I'll have that to use as well.

I do have flash (a 430EX (on camera), 2 X 540EZ, and a Vivitar 2500, plus a cybersync trigger system, so I think I'll be well covered lighting-wise.


Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Mike]

The UWA and the 24-70 f/2.8 will be good for renting. I find my 10-20mm lens gets used a few times at weddings as you often find you don't have as much room as you would have liked.
Also consider renting the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS instead of the 24-70. Many people find this to be the best lens to use on a crop body for wedding work.

[matonanjin]

Put your main lens on one body. Your UWA on your backup body.

[Haru]

17-55 2.8 IS is a great lens on crop bodies. Don't let the fact that it isn't an "L" lens throw you off. IMO UWA is like fisheye, it is fun but use it too much and it gets boring. It has its place and many people use it in amazing ways, just don't let it be your creative crutch.

[form]

Renting? Tokina 11-16, Canon 17-55 probably. Others are icing.

[SuzyView]

If you have to rent, the 17-55 is the best bet with your Xti. Don't underestimate that lens just because it is not an L. I have the 24-70 for my 5D2 which is about what the 17-55 is for you. Just make sure you practice. Wedding photography is not as easy as you think.

[tim]

If you have to rent, the 17-55 is the best bet with your Xti. Don't underestimate that lens just because it is not an L. I have the 24-70 for my 5D2 which is about what the 17-55 is for you. Just make sure you practice. Wedding photography is not as easy as you think.

Sign my name to this post. Good advice well said.

[bigtruck1369]

Thanks for all the great advice. I wasn't sure if the 24 would be quite wide enough or not. I'm definitely not walking into this situation lightly, I only took the gig because it's a smaller less formal ceremony and reception and it's for a friend... Otherwise, I am not ready to be the primary shooter on wedding just yet!

[form]

You need more than one camera body for wedding photography as a primary.

[bigtruck1369]

I understand that, but since I've been laid off since beginning of February and can't find a job that's kind of out of the cards.


But thank you.

[form]

Are you getting paid for this gig?

[PhotoMatte]

If I had to choose which lens to rent, I'd recommend the 24-105 on a crop body. I use a couple 5Ds and I love my 24-70 on them, but I also use the 70-200mm to make sure I have complete coverage from 24mm to 200mm. If I need a longer lens I simply attach the 70-200 to my 20D and it becomes a 110-305mm lens, with no loss of speed. Very nice.

[tim]

24mm isn't wide enough on a crop body for the types of weddings and venues I work in. I quite often need 10mm for parts of the day for some lower end weddings, where space is tight during ceremonies or receptions as people are packed into a small venue.

[PhotoMatte]

Yes, I guess that's true. Canon didn't even make the 10-22 when I used a crop body. That would've been the lens of choice. I got the 16-35 instead and I still use it with my 5D. I guess if you have to rent, then yes, get the 10-22 and the 24-105.

[bigtruck1369]

Are you getting paid for this gig?

I am, but I'm not sure what. I haven't yet arranged that with my friend. I usually just work in portraits, so I'm taking this gig (and not taking lightly, by the way) as a favor, but I'm not doing free favors anymore.

So while I will be paid for the gig, I don't know right now if I can justify renting a second body when I may have to use that money to keep all the bills paid... The job market here in Springfield is pathetic.

[bigtruck1369]

Thanks everyone for your input! I have to get some more information on what the environment will be like before I make my final decisions, but you all have cleared up quite a bit for lens selection!


Thanks again, wish me luck!

[form]

If it were up to me right now I could probably shoot a whole wedding with 16-35L, 35L, 85L and 70-200 f/2.8L IS.

[PhotoMatte]

If it were up to me right now I could probably shoot a whole wedding with 16-35L, 35L, 85L and 70-200 f/2.8L IS.

I concur with Form on that one (well, maybe I'd add a flash:)

[form]

Referring to lenses. Now that I have the 85L, I'm thinking that the 35L (plus another full frame body) would really eliminate my need for a standard zoom.

[bigtruck1369]

It's amazing what shooting a prime has done for my skills. Zooms are nice, but when you've only got one focal length (and a cheesy 50mm at that!) I feel like it really challenges the way you look at your compositions and starts you in the direction of taking better photos.