1 photographer, 2 bodies, weddings/engagements, what lenses?

[js09]

What lens for what body do you use typically? List what you use, and list what your ideal gear (that is reasonable) would be.

Myself:
5d2
canon 24-70L
canon 85 1.8

40d
tokina 11-16
canon 70-200L

reasonably I think I would want
5d2 + 35L 1.4
5d + 70-200L
and perhaps the sigma 50mm 1.4

I want to go mostly fast primes which is why i don't list the 24-70

[Peacefield]

I work with three bodies:

5D2
24-70 2.8
35 1.4
and less often, 70-200 2.8 IS

50D
85 1.2
100 2.8 Macro IS

350D
Sigma 10-20
Tokina 10-17 fisheye

But I mix it up from time to time.

[egordon99]

The 24-70L tends to be on my 40D, and I switch off my 10-20 and 70-200 on my Xsi depending if I want WIDE or LONG...

When things "quiet down", I'll use my primes on one or both of my bodies. The 17-85 and 100-400L aren't used at events ;) The 100-400 is for my "fun" shooting of wildlife/zoos and my 17-85 is my "snapshot" lens.

[timnosenzo]

I use 2 5D MKII's, and for the majority of the day I'll have a 24L on one, and a 50L on the other. For some parts of the day, I'll swap out and use a 85L or 14L for some things (85L for portraits/formals, 14L for other stuff). Much less commonly I will use a 135L, and I've recently picked up a 70-200 f/2.8 that I may use for some ceremonies (haven't used it for a wedding yet though).

[Stephen A. Harmon]

I'm an old photojournalist and bring that to my weddings. I do have the FPS if I need it, but find that timing most of the time, and a little anticipation works wonders. I have 2x 1D Mark IIN's with Stroboframe Pro-T (on my larger glass) and a Press-T (on my wider) with Canon OC's and a 580 EX and 580 EX II. Glass wise, I keep it light, shooting mostly with a 16-35mm 2.8L, (just added a) 24-70mm 2.8L, 70-200mm 2.8L IS and an old Canon 1.4X multiplier. I keep it all on a belt system I've pieced together from Molle military gear and it's totally portable, strapped down and totally accessible.

[johneric8]

It's amazing how we are all so different.. My main setup is two bodies

5dmk2 with 24-70
40D with 70-200

I also use a 50mm prime and a 17-40 quite a bit.

Lets don't get caught up in gear because I can honestly tell you this- I make more money from wedding photography than most guys on this forum but have less equipment and thats a fact.

I'm not saying that I'm not adding things here and there though!! haha..

[Karl Johnston]

I make more money from wedding photography than most guys on this forum but have less equipment and thats a fact.

Share the wealth ? PM me some tips please ! I could use em. bw!

[form]

35L and 85L see the most use. Two 5D originals, one 40D for backup.

[dche5390]

I thought I would use the 70-200 2.8 a lot but last week, I didn't really get a chance. I love tele but when things are disorganised with little time, there just isn't a chance to whip out the big lens.

I think a 24-70 is a must. And a 50mm 1.4. Well, those suit me best. Perhaps even a 24mm 1.4 instead of the 24-70. Will have to see later with more experience.

Both on FF/FX.

I'll need a flash for both bodies too!

I think the best gear is the least you need to bring to get the job done. For example, my right arm literally was in serious pain for 36 hours post wedding. Or I could just be getting fat ...

[kenwood33]

i use:
40d + 17-55 2.8 is
xs + 85 1.8 or 70-200

prefer:
5d2 + 24-105
7d + 85 1.8 or 70-200

[matrix311]

I use the following:

7D + 24-70f2.8
40D + 70-200 f/4 IS or 50mm 1.8

Working on getting the Tokina 11-16f/2.8 - once i get that i'll have that on my 40D most of the time along with the 70-200mm.

[slava-slavik]

Like johneric8 said, it's amazing how everybody here is different. Here is our wedding gear.

I work in a team with my wife Sara and we photograph ~30 weddings a year.

Sara:
5D and 24-70
5D and 100 mm macro

Slava:
5DmkII and 70-200
1DmkII and 16-35
plus in a bag 85(1.2) just for portraits.

We strongly consider to switching to Nikon, but if not, Sara will get second 70-200.

Besides that each of us has two Speedlites 580 and we both share an off-camera flash Quantum.

[Antarion]

I have a 11-16, 17-50 VC and 85 1.8 on two crop bodies.

Do you think a 70-200 4L IS would have advantages to the 85 1.8? I dont want too much lenses, church is bright too.

[slava-slavik]

...Do you think a 70-200 4L IS would have advantages to the 85 1.8? I dont want too much lenses, church is bright too.
It definetely would. A long zoom lens is a must have for most wedding photographers. I'm not sure about the f4 version, though. I use the f2.8 and most of the shots with it are in 2.8 - 3.5 range. I know the price difference is huge, but I'd rather wait and save towards the f2.8 IS version...

[neil_r]

I can honestly tell you this- I make more money from wedding photography than most guys on this forum but have less equipment and thats a fact.

But still to much to list :-)

[timnosenzo]

I make more money from wedding photography than most guys on this forum but have less equipment and thats a fact.

That's not condescending at all...

[neil_r]

That's not condescending at all...

But not if it is true :-)

[egordon99]

Do you think a 70-200 4L IS would have advantages to the 85 1.8? I dont want too much lenses, church is bright too.

Obviously the zoom has more focal lengths and IS. But the prime is faster.

I've shot an indoor ceremony with the 70-200mm f/4 IS and flash. High ceilings so I used ISO1600 and the pictures came out pretty good.

[alainvd]

I typically use this setup:

5D² + 85L
7D + 35L

And if I need more reach, I place the 85 on the 7D.
I can see myself with a 135 on top of that in case I need extra reach and speed ;)

[scott wiggins]

5D II with 24-70 or 24-105 (Depending on light levels)
7D with 70-200 2.8

Also keep a 50 f1.4 about for when I need shallow dof and a 17-40 for the big group or arty wide shot. 580EX for each camera.

[myjunk]

7D + 24-70 is the main workhorse.
I do have a 400D, but I'm close to retiring it but still carry it around for Backup purposes.
I have ThinkThank MOdular system and a speed belt and Whip out my 135L and the 30mm whenever needed.

[lyttleviet]

I am about to try this setup out and see how it works at the next event.

7D + 200L
5D + 24-70

I think this will be good with the extra reach for candids and closeups while the 5D can do all group shots and wide angle duties.