Gear list for second wedding

[dmbpettit]

SO I shot my first wedding last week ( I will post some images in the coming days). I had a friend lone me his lenses, as mine are not quiet fast enough. Here is what I had:

EFS 10-22
16-35 L 2.8
24-70 L 2.8
70-200 L 2.8 IS

I loved all of these lenses. But I think my friend will be using the lenses the same weekend that I have my second wedding. I cannot afford to rent this entire set and I also thought about trying some other cool lenses too.

Hear are the 4 day rates on a couple of lenses I am considering:

10-22 40
16-35 f2.8 54
85 1.8 32
85 1.2l 68
24-70 54
70-200 2.8 72
35 f2.0l 44
100 f2.8 macro 32
2x extender 28
17-55 f2.8 IS 53

I think the 70-200 is a lock again. I was thinking the 17-55 will cover most of the range I was getting with the 16-35 and 24-70. How about one of the 85's?

[tim]

Wedding FAQ (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=255604).

17-55 F2.8 IS and 70-200 F2.8 IS will cover you for a whole day. Add a backup in case the 17-55 breaks (they do occasionally), and if you want one a fast prime.

I could photograph an entire wedding with a 17-55 or a 30 F1.4 lens. Ideally though one longer lens helps a lot.

[dmbpettit]

So I will be getting the 17-55 and 70-200. I was thinking about getting one more lens. Either 85 1.2, 85 1.8, 135l. Any suggestions? Also, thoughts about 1.4x or 2.0x extender for the 70-200 for some fun?

[tim]

Keep it simple to start with. 85 1.8 is great value, but both that and the 135L lens will be difficult for a new photographer to use at a wedding. Stick with zooms to start with. You need a 2nd body. I find a 30 F1.4 a good prime to use, I don't need anything longer because of the 70-200 F2.8 L giving a narrow DOF anyway.

[dmbpettit]

I will have a 30d as a backup as well as an additional 430ex. Why do you say the 85 and 135 would be difficult to use? I have experience with the shallow depth of field from using my 50 1.8.

[tim]

Don't use the 30D as a backup, use it as a 2nd camera so you can keep two lenses fitted and working at all times.

The 85 and 135 would be fine if you had control of a situation or freedom to move around, say during the portrait shoot, or during the ceremony when things are static, but if your movement is restricted primes tend to be a pain in the butt. If you have a 135 prime fitted and someone wants a photo with their friend you have to sure "sure stay here I have to go stand 15 meters away".

As you get more experience you learn to cope with random things happening. You might be fine, but you might not. With a prime on one body and a zoom on another you'd be fine. I remember my first weddings, they're pretty overwhelming and I wouldn't have liked to be using primes, but you get used to it and I could now.

[dmbpettit]

For the last wedding, the 70-200 was on one of the cameras most of the day, and then the wider lenses rotated on the second body. I think that one body would have the 17-55 most of the day, and either the 85 or 135 would share time with the 70-200.

[tim]

Sounds reasonable.

[elisesanchez]

Wedding FAQ (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=255604).

17-55 F2.8 IS and 70-200 F2.8 IS will cover you for a whole day. Add a backup in case the 17-55 breaks (they do occasionally), and if you want one a fast prime.

I could photograph an entire wedding with a 17-55 or a 30 F1.4 lens. Ideally though one longer lens helps a lot.

I completely agree!!

[Tanya Lynne]

So there is a lot of mention of the 17-55 lens here. I am shooting a wedding this Saturday and I will be using Canon 50D's with a 17-40 f4 L, a 24-70 f2.8L, a 70-200 f2.8 L, a 430EXII and 580 EXII. How would you compare the 17-40 with the 17-55. I will use it mostly for outdoor shots and maybe the bride/groom getting ready. Nicely lit rooms from natural window light.

Thanks.

[tim]

17-40 is F4, you lose one stop and IS. The 17-55 is a nice lens. 17-40 should be fine as long as there's enough light.

[Tanya Lynne]

Great! Thanks Tim.