Question for you guys who shoot with primes

So, I'm no wedding photographer, but a keen amateur who's interested.

Over the weekend I was looking at reviews of the 35L, and one thing that kept being mentioned was that it a favourite lens for wedding photographer, and as someone who mostly uses primes myself (for slow moving objects) I thought this was slightly odd because I know how slow thay can be making focus, and there's a lot that problem of not being close enough, or even being to far away.

So I realise this sounds a like a pretty strange question, but do you guys who shoot primes have any tips on picking the right lens for the task, and making sure you have nailed focus.... and how often do you miss that candid moment that you probably would have gotten with a fast zoom like the 24-70 or even the 70-200?

I think it's just a matter of getting used to the focal lengths and knowing when to use them. I haven't used my 24-70L at all for the last several weddings, and even before that, I sparingly used it. I use the 70-200 often times however, especially at the ceremony.

I prefer the 24L over the 35L. Can't really explain why. I just like the 24mm focal length better. To me 35mm, is kinda like a "meh" focal length. I've also got the 50L and that spreads the focal lengths out pretty good...24L and 50L. Then I have the 85 1.8, 100L macro, and the 135L.

But sometimes, keeping it simple is better.

I have been pining for the 35 as well but the more I read about the 24 the more I am thinking about it. It could double as a landscape lens as well. I know that people like wider ones for landscapes but personally I find 24 pretty decent on a FF for that.

In my blog where I give tips on how I shoot weddings, I list the lenses I pack with me during different parts of the day.

http://redtiephotograp​hy.wordpress.com …edding-warning-long-post/

Also, you mention missing moments rather than using a fast zoom - all my primes are faster then my zooms.

Thanks. I'll give this a read first thing tomorrow.

I shoot with primes for a good portion of the day. But I also keep a good stock of zooms too. There are primes that focus well and some that aren't quite as good. I HATE the 35mm length (on fullframe). So it's all really up to personal preference or style. When I feel like I can get a little creative or artistic I use the primes. But the fact of the matter is, the overhwelming majority of the photos we take at weddings are documentary in nature and don't need to be artistic.

picturecrazy wrote in post #13196475
But the fact of the matter is, the overhwelming majority of the photos we take at weddings are documentary in nature and don't need to be artistic.

so very true!

Love shooting with the 35 on one body and the 70-200 or the 135 on another. 24 just felt too wide for my taste.

gh patriot wrote in post #13196948
Love shooting with the 35 on one body and the 70-200 or the 135 on another. 24 just felt too wide for my taste.

Me too. I LOVE the 35. Personal preference obviously.

I never use the 35L for weddings.

I use the 35L quite a bit; never found it to be a slow focuser; usually quite fast and accurate.

Love my 35L as well...I use it more than any other lens. I would not say that it is slow by any means...it focuses quickly and accurately enough for me. Unfortunately, I dropped mine at a wedding last weekend, it's off at CPS for a repair.

However, like Nick said. The lenses (especially the high end versions) are more than capable in performance...it's really just a matter of knowing what lens will work best for a given situation.

Depends on the lens. My 100mm macro can be slow, but otherwise I think overall my primes focus faster. The 35L, I think, is one of the best. I have only been using it for about a month, but I LOVE it. I love the combo of 35 on full frame and 50 on crop.

Last week must have been a global week for dropping lenses and equipment failures because I dropped my 35L and 16-35L last week and a mirror fell out of my 5D on the same day. I have never dropped a lens before.

form wrote in post #13198720
Last week must have been a global week for dropping lenses and equipment failures because I dropped my 35L and 16-35L last week and a mirror fell out of my 5D on the same day. I have never dropped a lens before.

Bummer Joey. I had never dropped a lens before either...I'll never forget the sound.