Re-thinking my Aisle-Walk lens?

Ok, someone just posted a thread a little bit ago asking what wedding photogs go-to lens is for the aisle-walk, and after reading some of the responses, I realized that a couple of them hit on something that has been bugging me when we shoot-- I always slap on my 70-200L IS because I know I can depend on it to get those super sharp shots, and because the 2.8 is needed (at the least) in these venues where flash is not allowed. But I always find myself wishing I had a wide angle at some points. So. I'm pretty sure I can part with my 85 1.2 wihtout regret since I got the 50 1.2L (love!). We have a 24-70L but my husband usually has that on his 7D. I also have a 24L but am afraid of (1) the distortton at the edges and (2) not being able to get any tight shots. Someone on the aformentioned thread stated how much they love their 24-105L but I'm afraid of the f/4 for those flash-prohibited venues...open to ideas

I'm not answering your question, but have to say that I've never shot a ceremony where I couldn't at least use flash for the processional.

My experience is that at MY wedding the photographer was instructed not to use the flash during the ceremony by the Pastor. There have been a couple Catholic weddings in older churches where Flash also has been banned during the ceremony but allowed for the after shots. I don't know why that is that they allow flash after the ceremony but not during.

Anyway, my current go to lens for the aisle shots is the 24-105L It's really my only good zoom lens. I like the 24mm when they're nearing the end of the pews. The hand off of the bride to the groom is crucial and 70mm at it's closest zoom point would not cut it even on my 5D. Also, with a 24-70, I don't think 70mm would get me out far enough down the aisle. I have a 28-135 that I have yet to use at a wedding because I have it loaned out to a friend of mine who lives in another state. But I think the 24-105L does a fine job from way in the back to right up close.

CameraMan wrote in post #13025107
I don't know why that is that they allow flash after the ceremony but not during.

It is a distraction DURING the ceremony.

Well, you know my answer to this! Like CameraMan, I like the range. 105 is great for when they are further down and when they get closer to the end of the aisle for close-ups. I like that I can get both close-ups (at 105) and full body shots (at 24) at that point. f/4 has never been a hindrance for me, but I will admit that I shoot very few church weddings and when I do they are pretty well lit.

Peacefield wrote in post #13025057
I'm not answering your question, but have to say that I've never shot a ceremony where I couldn't at least use flash for the processional.

We did one just a few weeks ago that prohibited flash from the time the bride/father hit the pew mark till the end of the ceremony (meaning when the bride/groom left the sanctuary). Another one before that let us use flash only when the bride first walked in.

PeaceFire wrote in post #13025184
Well, you know my answer to this! Like CameraMan, I like the range. 105 is great for when they are further down and when they get closer to the end of the aisle for close-ups. I like that I can get both close-ups (at 105) and full body shots (at 24) at that point. f/4 has never been a hindrance for me, but I will admit that I shoot very few church weddings and when I do they are pretty well lit.

You've blown your cover! Yeah that lens sounds perfect except that aperture bothers me based on our past experience.

Aperture is a bit small but I haven't had a problem yet. Although I haven't had the problem of not being able to use a flash.

Are you just using 1 camera body? Any chance of picking up another? Even if is was a 40D, you'd be able to put your 24L on that body and have a great combo for the ceremony.

Personally I could never do the procession with just one camera body. The 2nd wedding I ever did, pitch black venue (old theater), I had my flash die while the bride was walking down the aisle with her father. Luckily I had my other camera on me ready to go and was able to keep going. So even though having 2 bodies is nice for lens selection its also nice having a backup ready to go immediately.

Just put a wider lens on your second body. If you don't have a second body, get one.

^^+1

Pick up a used body and another lens (buy another one for hubby and get that 24-70 back...).

2 x R-Straps, one on each side of your body and you are covered.

tim wrote in post #13025773
Just put a wider lens on your second body. If you don't have a second body, get one.

+1 =)

timnosenzo wrote in post #13025495
Are you just using 1 camera body? Any chance of picking up another? Even if is was a 40D, you'd be able to put your 24L on that body and have a great combo for the ceremony.

Personally I could never do the procession with just one camera body. The 2nd wedding I ever did, pitch black venue (old theater), I had my flash die while the bride was walking down the aisle with her father. Luckily I had my other camera on me ready to go and was able to keep going. So even though having 2 bodies is nice for lens selection its also nice having a backup ready to go immediately.

tim wrote in post #13025773
Just put a wider lens on your second body. If you don't have a second body, get one.

mtimber wrote in post #13025847
^^+1

Pick up a used body and another lens (buy another one for hubby and get that 24-70 back...).

2 x R-Straps, one on each side of your body and you are covered.

gh patriot wrote in post #13026340
+1 =)

I personally don't have my own back up camera-- my husband's 7D is officially my back up right now. I had thought of the 2x Rstrap with 2 bodies as the best solution-- I've just resisted buying another body cause we're waiting for the elusive 5D MKII to be released, which would become my new camera, the MKII my huisband's and the 7d the true back up body. Tho, truth be told, I do not like shooting with the 7D; just what you're used to, I guess. Thanks for the replies!

Michelle Brooks Photography wrote in post #13026501
I personally don't have my own back up camera-- my husband's 7D is officially my back up right now. I had thought of the 2x Rstrap with 2 bodies as the best solution-- I've just resisted buying another body cause we're waiting for the elusive 5D MKII to be released, which would become my new camera, the MKII my huisband's and the 7d the true back up body. Tho, truth be told, I do not like shooting with the 7D; just what you're used to, I guess. Thanks for the replies!

are you selling your services to the client as two photographers though?
because if you are and you only have two cameras between the two of you, that doesn't sound like you have any backups to me.

when i have my wife shoot with me, we don't have any less than 3 cameras as the client is paying for both photogs to be functional, not just me
i guess if they aren't paying for your husband to be shooting then his is a backup

anyway, just my .02
and i find using two cameras during the processional essential.

Michelle

You should have 2 bodies at all times. Like Peaceman, i have yet to shoot a wedding where i could not use my flash for the walk down the isle. The most strict churches want flash off during the actual religious ceremony. The walk down the isle has never been an issue for anyone that i know and we shoot a lot of catholic full mass weddings.

I prefer to use my 24-105 and my bracket when she walks down the isle. I usually click off 4-5 shots and im out of there. We know what the settings are in advance and i usually catch the hand off to the groom and the hug from dad before i switch off the flash. At that point we are completly no flash until the pronouncement and the flash is back on for the walk out.

We have photographeed about 60 weddings in the past 3 years and every one that has a strict policy allows you to use flash in the isles before and after the ceremony.

I usually get one shot of each brides maid walking down the aisle, flower girl(s), ring bearer and the bride and father. I usually get 5 or 6 of the bride coming down the aisle. The problem with not having a 2nd shooter is that I would like to have a shot from behind and off to the side of the father to groom hand off. But I usually don't get a good enough angle for that.