Good Wedding Combo?????

[pyterps]

I'm thinking about the 5D and the 24-105 F/4L IS lens to do weddings with. I think this would be a great combo to go along with the 70-200 2.8, 28-75 2.8 (which I might sell) and 50 1.8.

What do you think? If not the 24-105 then what else would you suggest?

Thanks,

Dave

[tim]

I'd keep the 28-75, it's my main lens. The 24-105L F4 is too slow for my tastes. The 50mm F1.8 isn't reliable enough with its focus to trust it at a wedding, where you have one chance to get the shot.

When I got into weddings I got a second body, I was tossing up the 5D or the 20D. I ended up with a 20D, because the 5D is quite expensive for what it is. If you can afford it it'd be a great camera, but a 30D would be just as good IMHO.

[kawter2]

I used to use the tamron on the 20D and I had to sell it when I got my 5D.. it really didn't hold up to FF..

I could shoot an entire wedding with my 24-70 on the 5D.. that said when you combine it with the 70-200 you cant loose, however for weddings i would definitely upgrade to the IS model

[pyterps]

Thanks guys for the replys and I hope to be going to the store very soon and picking me up a new toy.

[tim]

If you're going to do weddings you have to start thinking in terms of tools, not toys.

[thebrewer]

Tamron or not, a 2.8 or faster lens is needed indoors. Perhaps a 24-70 2.8 L as a replacement if you are a unhappy with the Tamron on the FF. Speed counts indoors.

Rich

[SuzyView]

Agreed about the toys versus tools. I am still experimenting with my 20D getting ready for a wedding in May. I have my 24-70L on it all the time now getting used to the weight and stretch of the 70mm. For many years I've had minimal tools and had a lot of PP to do after every wedding. I started shooting in RAW this month and hope that will make my time more useful. The 20D is perfect for that. I wouldn't change my choice if starting again. The 20D with 24-70L and then my 85 1.8 and 50 1.4 cover day and night shooting. I only take my kit lens as a "must have" for the very large group. I will use 2 flashes and the 24-70L. I do have 3 bodies. These "tools" can sometimes malfunction and you don't want that at a wedding. If you have the money to invest in a used 10D or Rebel XT, you can always keep the lenses on the cameras and you won't have to switch. The 24-70L will stay on my 20D, the 10D will have one of the primes. Please don't buy anything until you've looked at how you want to photograph your weddings.

[DaveG]

Originally Posted by pyterps

I'm thinking about the 5D and the 24-105 F/4L IS lens to do weddings with. I think this would be a great combo to go along with the 70-200 2.8, 28-75 2.8 (which I might sell) and 50 1.8.

What do you think? If not the 24-105 then what else would you suggest?

Thanks,

Dave

I think that the 24-105 on a 5D is a great choice. I'm about to get the 5D and plan on using it this year with my 24-85, which will be OK but only until I can replace it.

As for speed I think that it's moot. Is f4 fast? No. But neither is f2.8, and especially at those focal lengths. You MIGHT be able to sell a 24mm f2.8 but everywhere else along that (mythical) lenses focal length f2.8 would be considered too slow. So f4 to me is just slower. The IS will also "speed up" the lens by three stops of handholdablility, assumimg that the subject isn't moving much.

Besides If I'm using a f2.8 or f4 lens of this focal length inside I'm using flash. Outside it's moot. If I have the camera on a tripod and I'm shooting window lit portraits I'm still going to stop down to f4 to make sure that the subject's face is sharp.

Now that can't be the only arrow in your quiver. I have a 50mm f1.4 that gives me speed (real speed, not this 2.8 stuff) and I'll need to use it in a lot of spots. With the move to a 1.0 camera I'll have to think about gettting a 100 f2 at some point.

[spencer87]

Originally Posted by SuzyView

Agreed about the toys versus tools. I am still experimenting with my 20D getting ready for a wedding in May. I have my 24-70L on it all the time now getting used to the weight and stretch of the 70mm. For many years I've had minimal tools and had a lot of PP to do after every wedding. I started shooting in RAW this month and hope that will make my time more useful. The 20D is perfect for that. I wouldn't change my choice if starting again. The 20D with 24-70L and then my 85 1.8 and 50 1.4 cover day and night shooting. I only take my kit lens as a "must have" for the very large group. I will use 2 flashes and the 24-70L. I do have 3 bodies. These "tools" can sometimes malfunction and you don't want that at a wedding. If you have the money to invest in a used 10D or Rebel XT, you can always keep the lenses on the cameras and you won't have to switch. The 24-70L will stay on my 20D, the 10D will have one of the primes. Please don't buy anything until you've looked at how you want to photograph your weddings.

good point suzy, and it sounds like we are in the same boat (i have my first wedding coming up in May). From what I've read the two most recommended lenses seem to be the 50 1.4 and either the 24-70 or one of its sigma/tamron counterparts. Do any of you really use the 70-200 range much though?

[mackb]

Dave,

Will all due respect (and I really mean that). I think most of us here have a pretty high intrest in Wedding photography to supplement our income with a hobby we enjoy. I'm confused on if your speaking in true "pro only" terms or if you really think 2.8 is slow? Not only can I not afford L glass, but I will struggle to buy a $400 24-70 Sigma. I'm not gonna pack up a give up on my goal, but I want to have realistic expectations for a 2.8

I've done 5 Weddings all with a 28-105 f/4...........mostly at 5.6

I like the idea of shooting without a flash (and flash bracket) for most of the wedding.......................ahhhh help!

[SuzyView]

good point suzy, and it sounds like we are in the same boat (i have my first wedding coming up in May). From what I've read the two most recommended lenses seem to be the 50 1.4 and either the 24-70 or one of its sigma/tamron counterparts. Do any of you really use the 70-200 range much though?

Never. I can do just about anything with my 85 1.8, which is my favorite for tight portraits. I'll have to post one to let everyone see what I'm talking about. I don't do ring shots or anything really artistic, my clients want only about 300 pictures, they are poor usually and I am free, so they are not picky.

The last wedding I got paid $200, $100 from each mother and they got the CD's without any PP. I used to even print 2 8x10's all fixed up for free as presents. Now I charge for things like frames.

As for the "have not enough to buy an L lens" comment, my niece in UT has a 10D and her 28-105 lens for her weddings and she is amazing.

http://www.lizzdavisphotography.com/

I spoke to her last week and she is trying to upgrade to a 20D and she doesn't even own an L lens, but does fantastic work. A really talented photographer doesn't need all that great stuff, but the necessities. I am one to think "if you can afford the great gear, go for it!" But if you are low in cash, get what you need and practice, practice, practice!

This is my wedding set up in May.

20DPressT580EX.jpg

[pyterps]

Toy was a very bad choice of words and was not intended like it was taken. I agree that it is a tool and not just something to have. I really appreciate all the replys and will post in a couple of days which direction I go.

Dave

[RobKirkwood]

Originally Posted by DaveG

I think that the 24-105 on a 5D is a great choice. I'm about to get the 5D and plan on using it this year with my 24-85, which will be OK but only until I can replace it.

As for speed I think that it's moot. Is f4 fast? No. But neither is f2.8, and especially at those focal lengths. You MIGHT be able to sell a 24mm f2.8 but everywhere else along that (mythical) lenses focal length f2.8 would be considered too slow. So f4 to me is just slower. The IS will also "speed up" the lens by three stops of handholdablility, assumimg that the subject isn't moving much.

I agree. This weekend I was second shooter on a wedding which took place entirely in a hotel. Formals were shot outdoors with flash fill, but we were only allowed 2 flash shots during the ceremony itself. Paul, the main photographer needed these for key moments, so I was faced with bumping the ISO on my 20D and choosing between Tamron 28-75 f2.8 and Canon 28-135 IS ...I chose the Canon primarily because it has full-time manual focus, and the IS would hopefully give me a slight edge over the Tamron (yeah I know about the 20D focussing more accurately with f2.8 lenses - but in my experience the Canon 28-135 IS is a lens that performs much better than its paper specification might suggest).

I shot the entire time with this one lens, and it performed extremely well despite the long-end aperture of f5.6. I have some very nice candids taken without flash while everyone was relaxing in the hotel lounge after the ceremony.

After this weekend, the Canon 24-105 f4 with the latest IS worth 3 stops is definitely on my own shopping list.

[tim]

Originally Posted by spencer87

Do any of you really use the 70-200 range much though?

I use it for speeches at the reception, and some formals outside - for example if the couple are on a bridge, which happens quite often around here. I also use it from the back of the church or wherever they have the ceremony.

I could get by without the 70-200, but it's definitely useful to have around.

[BLINN]

I agree with TIM