Which Lens on Which Camera?

[PubUltraStar]

Just thought I would get everyone's opinions on what combinations they use for their bodies when shooting weddings. Normally, I use the 16-35mm on my 5D Mark II, with the 70-200 on my 50D during the ceremony. The 16-35mm on a FF gives me a pretty wide angle to play with, while the 70-200 on the cropped 50D gives me some reach. My assistant uses a 24-105mm on a 40D. I've recently added a prime to my line-up, the much debated 50mm f/1.2, and have thought I might like that on my 5DM2 during the ceremony due to it's low light capabilities. I know that I'll probably have that on the 5D for the portraits and reception, but have been thinking of letting my assistant use it during the ceremony as well. I'm probably over-thinking this whole thing, but know that there are some opinionated people on this forum that would love to chime in. Given the options I've presented, which lens would you put on which body?? I'll probably just keep doing things that have worked for me in the past, but it's nice to have different perspective on gear. Thanks in advance!

[Peacefield]

Well, it's probably simplest for me to tell you what I do with similar, though different, equipment: A 5D2, a 50D, an XT, 24-70, 70-200, 35L, 85L, Sigma 10-20.

When I'm shooting low light (bride dressing or the ceremony), I like the 35 on my 5D2 for wide and the 85 on the 50D which gets me a nice 135mm or so, only faster for tighter shots. For an outdoor ceremony, I'll have my 24-70 on my 50D and the 70-200 on my 5D2. I'm finding myself using my 70-200 less and less. I'll probably retire it, maybe even sell it when I add the new 100L macro. Except for outdoor ceemonies, I find the 70-200 a little long even on the 5D2, way too long on the 50D.

By the time we get to reception, I'm liking the 24-70 on the 5D2 to get wide and the 85 goes back on the 50D (though it's slow focusing is a challenge; (once again, this will probably be an opportunity to turn to the new 100). I haven't mentioned that my old XT is in the bag mostly as a back up, but I keep the 10-20 on it when I need a really wide shot.

In my view, except for the few times I need to turn to the 10-20 on my XT, I can't imagine going wider than 24 on FF. I also can't imagine putting something as long as a 200 on a 1.6 (based on my tastes and the way I shoot). If it were me, I'd probably reverse your approach. But I do tend to be a little odd.

[bnlearle]

You've got the 5DII and the 50L?! You can officially get rid of all of your other gear. That's the best setup in the biz, imo ;)

Bobby

[Markitos]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I'm interested in some thoughts. I used to shoot weddings with 2 5Ds, and have recently picked up a 1DmkIII in place of on of the 5Ds... Usually, I have had the 70-200 on one 5D, and switched between the 16-35 and 24-70 on the other, with the 24-70 getting the lion's share of use during the day.

Now that I have a 1.3 crop in the mix, I'm not as sure what to do, since my 24 isn't as wide anymore, but I want to use it on the 1D because of its speed and clean ISOs...

I'm leaning towards the 24-70 mainly on the 1D and switching the 16-35 and 70-200 and 135 on the 5D, but I dunno.