Which lens would you get?

I am shooting a wedding in a few weeks. The ceremony will be outside, weather permitting, and the reception will be inside. It's a relatively small wedding - only about 35-40 guests.

I have a gripped 5DM3 and will be using Speedlites for lighting - a 580EXII and a 430EX that I will use as a second flash wile photographing the bride and in case I need a second light. My backup body is a 40D.


I have the following lenses:

• EF 50mm f/1.4
  
• EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro
  
• EF 17-40L f/4.0
  
• EF 24-105L f/4.0

a_roadbiker wrote in post #16199377
Also, while you're at it can you recommend a good, affordable flash bracket?

I bought one once. Have never used it.

As for lenses what suit your shooting style best?

I think you will love the 24-105 f4 L the most. It's a terrific lens for the 5D MIII. You aren't going to shoot wide open most of the time anyway so f4 is going to be fine. In regards to on-camera flash brackets, I recommend the Stroboframe. I've used one on my M645 for over 25 years when I shot weddings with film. It's the first thing I bought when I went digital.

Forget the flash bracket. Use the 24-105 if it's a one off, with the 50mm inside. You don't need super fast indoors, just add light.

georgebowman wrote in post #16200134
I think you will love the 24-105 f4 L the most. It's a terrific lens for the 5D MIII. You aren't going to shoot wide open most of the time anyway so f4 is going to be fine. In regards to on-camera flash brackets, I recommend the Stroboframe. I've used one on my M645 for over 25 years when I shot weddings with film. It's the first thing I bought when I went digital.

Which Stoboframe?

I have a Stroboframe QuickFlip 350. I use a Canon off-Camera shoe cord (OC-E3) mounted to the QuickFlip to connect a 580EXii flash to my 7d. The combination works great. Good luck!

tim wrote in post #16200140
Forget the flash bracket. Use the 24-105 if it's a one off, with the 50mm inside. You don't need super fast indoors, just add light.

What Tim said. 24-105 would be fine as long as you light the reception properly. The focus with a F/2.8 lens will be a tad faster in dim situations but you have a 5D3 and an on-camera speedlite for the focus-assist so you should be fine. If you need/want the shallower DOF for creative reasons then it's a different story.

Shooting the 5DM3 I've appreciated when I have 2.8 but its rare that I ever actually need it. And while I would say "need' is to strong a word to describe your situation here I use my 70-200 every time I shoot.

yeah, you are not really in dire "need" for anything particular imho in this situation. I love the 70-200L II on a full frame, so I would rent that for portraits and sniping but really with a small wedding like that you don't need it.

Thanks everyone. This has been excellent advice and I appreciate it.

Jim

Get the 70-200 or a 135L. Both lenses will give you great reach during a ceremony. Forget the flash bracket.

I love my flash bracket