Wedding Setup

Hello, i would like to ask an help!
Next summer i will make my first wedding shot ( for friends ) and i would like to buy an other lens in relation of what i've.

Canon 7D with grip
Canon 550D
Sigma 10-20 f4,5-5,6
Sigma 30 f1,4
Canon 50 f1,8
Samyang 8mm fish-eye
Canon 100-400L f4,5-5,6
Flash Metz 48AF-1
Manfrotto 055XPROB + 804RC2 + 303SPH.

I was thinking that i need a little zoom like tamron 28-75 f2,8... or the 24-105 f4 canon... so i need you advice
Sorry for the english... i'm italian!

I don't know if you will enjoy or have enough time to keep changing prime lenses. The real workhorse of any wedding is the 24-70/2.8 and 70-200/2.8. Just a handful of wide shots using the 10-20 will be taken. I'd say, the 7D+70-200/2.8 and 550D+17-55/2.8IS (or 24-70/2.8 ). Keep the 30/1.4 and 10-20 in the bag.

Thanks so mutch... i will try to find a 70-200 2.8 used ( new i can't! )... it's the most used for wedding..

Marknot wrote in post #12951363
Thanks so mutch... i will try to find a 70-200 2.8 used ( new i can't! )... it's the most used for wedding..

Use what you're comfortable with, or think you'll be comfortable with. Don't worry about what other people use.

I don't own a 24-70, or any midrange zoom, so that's not a "real workhorse" for my weddings. I have a 70-200 f/2.8 IS that I use for some weddings, but probably not even half of them... and if I do use it, it's just for the ceremony. My most used/must have lenses for weddings are my 24L, 50L and 85L.

Again, there's no right or wrong answer to these questions. It's difficult to make suggestions because everyone is different. For me, it's just easier to use fixed lenses, but for others it may be easier to zooms. Neither is wrong.

the tamron 28-75 is a great lens, sharp, great colors, but in a wedding you will sound like you're winding up an angry bee with it's motor - loud and obnoxious.

Do you plan on shooting more weddings in the future? If not, stick with what you have.

If you want to do many more weddings, I would recommend the 17-55 or equivalent, depending on what you want to spend.

Your current glass will definatly cover one "friends" wedding very well ~ but I like your style: Any excuse for new glass is a reason get to it. Much good advice has been posted, including stay with what you already own. But heck, I find any reason that I might "need" another hunk of glass to be good enough for me

For what it's worth: When I shoot weddings 90% of the time I've got a 7D + 17-55 hanging on one hip (Black Rapid) and my 5D MKII + 70-200 MK II on the other. Sure the primes come out for either artsy needs or low lighting and can't use flash situations, or when the mood just strikes, . . but in reality I could get 'er done with just the above mentioned rigs, . . . although now that you got me thinking about it ~ I sure could use a macro for ring shots, . . good enough excuse for me, [picks up phone] Hello B&H, let's talk about that 100 2.8 L macro

Does the location allow flash? Are you planning on shoot some formal shots before/after wedding? If so, more lighting, reflector, remote trigger and lighting stand would be very helpful. Most of these can be rented from a shop. Otherwise they can cost a bundle.

How about an 12mm extension tube for those extra closed up shots of ring/cake, flower? Put in on 50mm f1.4 and you should be good to go.

I have a lady friend of mine that sold her 70-200/f2.8 MKII due to the weight and now shoots all her weddings with the Canon 35/f1.4 & the 135L/f2. I told her to get a monopod but she refused !

I agree its hard to beat the versatility & performance of the 70-200 MKII but some folks get wore out packing the beast around for 4 to 5 hrs. including the wedding receptions.

If you're shooting for a friend, I wouldn't worry about the gear. However, I think experience is everything when it comes to wedding. If you are the primary shooter and you've never shot a wedding before, I suggest getting a few under your belt before then.

doc.paradox wrote in post #12951893
Your current glass will definatly cover one "friends" wedding very well ~ but I like your style: Any excuse for new glass is a reason get to it. Much good advice has been posted, including stay with what you already own. But heck, I find any reason that I might "need" another hunk of glass to be good enough for me

AHAHAHA!!! Yor are right...

Thanks to all the replay, it was just to have an idea... i will try to make a good choice...
Thanks thanks thanks....

Beg, borrow or steal a backup camera and flash... and know how to use them. Do not go to a wedding with just one camera, one flash. If anything breaks, there are no "do overs" at wedding shoots.

Besides what you have, 85/1.8 and 135/2 would be my main additional lenses. Yes, 70-200/2.8 can do, but it's big, heavy and intrusive. You likely won't need your fisheye or 100-400. Yes, a lot of wedding photogs use 24-70/2.8, though some who shoot with crop cameras like 7D choose to use 17-55/2.8 (or similar) instead.

Get and read some books about wedding photography. It is not something you can just go shoot. A lot of planning is needed and you need to work closely with planners and other vendors. In many ways, the photographer at a wedding is a bit like a choreographer or director, trying to keep people on schedule (or close to it) and making sure everyone is where they need to be.

amfoto1 wrote in post #12962950
Beg, borrow or steal a backup camera and flash... and know how to use them. Do not go to a wedding with just one camera, one flash. If anything breaks, there are no "do overs" at wedding shoots.

Besides what you have, 85/1.8 and 135/2 would be my main additional lenses. Yes, 70-200/2.8 can do, but it's big, heavy and intrusive. You likely won't need your fisheye or 100-400. Yes, a lot of wedding photogs use 24-70/2.8, though some who shoot with crop cameras like 7D choose to use 17-55/2.8 (or similar) instead.

Get and read some books about wedding photography. It is not something you can just go shoot. A lot of planning is needed and you need to work closely with planners and other vendors. In many ways, the photographer at a wedding is a bit like a choreographer or director, trying to keep people on schedule (or close to it) and making sure everyone is where they need to be.

I am one of those photogs that has shot a wedding with a 7D and the Canon 17-55 2.8 IS. I also had a 50mm 1.4 in my bag but I never used it. The 17-55 was amazing and super sharp.

amfoto1 wrote in post #12962950
Beg, borrow or steal a backup camera and flash... and know how to use them. Do not go to a wedding with just one camera, one flash. If anything breaks, there are no "do overs" at wedding shoots

He has a 7D and a T2i

A good zoom lens is what you need. My pick will be the 24-70mm f/2.8, since you already have the 10-20 to cover your wide side. IMO, you really have to buy a good speedlite, something that has high speed sync like the 430 EX ii or the 580 EX II. High speed sync will really help you with outdoor shots.