Re-thinking my Aisle-Walk lens?

Two bodies for the main photographer is essential, IMHO, even if one isn't quite as capable.

tim wrote in post #13027421
Two bodies for the main photographer is essential, IMHO, even if one isn't quite as capable.

I have 2. One is a 5D Mark II and the backup is a 40D. Gotta have a backup.

for all the posts about having a backup camera, yeah, this is def on our to do list, since we do market as a team. Like I said, I just keep holding out for that MkIII ! Maybe I should think of a trade in with my 85 1.2 for a back up til the MK III makes it debut, then we'd have an extra back up...

I appreciate that it seems most of you haven't encountered having to deal with a venue that is as restrictive as a couple that we have, but it HAS happened to us & therefore I have to assume it will again. In fact that church that would not allow flash at all once the bride came into the sanctuary also forbade photogs to go past the pews at all. We had to stay at the pew row closest to the exit when the wedding started, then as soon as the bride got to the altar, we had to go to the balcony until the bride & groom were ready to start back down the aisle, at which point we could again come to the last pew row...tough venue! And this was a Methodist church

Michelle Brooks Photography wrote in post #13027568
I appreciate that it seems most of you haven't encountered having to deal with a venue that is as restrictive as a couple that we have, but it HAS happened to us & therefore I have to assume it will again. In fact that church that would not allow flash at all once the bride came into the sanctuary also forbade photogs to go past the pews at all. We had to stay at the pew row closest to the exit when the wedding started, then as soon as the bride got to the altar, we had to go to the balcony until the bride & groom were ready to start back down the aisle, at which point we could again come to the last pew row...tough venue! And this was a Methodist church

we shot in a church that strict too. actually they had previously said NO photography at all during the ceremony.
then after talking to them they decided we were nice enough to let photograph from the back/balcony as you described.

crazy the different rules at different places.

of course there were 100 point and shoots beeping and flashing all ceremony,
while we were stuck on the balcony lol

You could sell the 85 1.2 and buy a used 5d classic and a Sigma 85mm 1.4...

That way you would cover your needs for now and the siggy 85mm 1.4 is no slouch of a lens.

Although I would recommend going straight to another 5d2 as your backup, but sometimes budgets dictate our equipment.

mtimber wrote in post #13028820
Although I would recommend going straight to another 5d2 as your backup, but sometimes budgets dictate our equipment.

This is most likely going to be my solution, tho another 5D II will just about put me in the poor house!

Michelle Brooks Photography wrote in post #13028989
This is most likely going to be my solution, tho another 5D II will just about put me in the poor house!

Why not just pick up a used 40D or something for the interim? There's one in the classifieds now for > $450. It's just a backup, so you'd likely use it for > 5% of your photos, and it's a very capable camera.

mtimber wrote in post #13028819
You could sell the 85 1.2 and buy a used 5d classic

this is the best quote i've seen in this entire thread .. 5Dc the best workhorse Canon has put out to date !!

since you already have the 24L, getting the 24-105 seems silly to me .. keep shooting your 5D2 w/ 70-200, sell the 85L get the 5Dc and slap the 24L on there and you are totally golden !!!

mtimber wrote in post #13028820
sometimes budgets dictate our equipment.

I was in way over my head when I bought my 5D Mark II but I knew I'd get that back and more withing the first year and I have. Sometimes if you know it's right you gotta do it.

I wasted so much money on the "upgrade" path.

Buy the very best you can afford at every opportunity is my attitude now.

You save money doing it that way.

Although you do not always know what you "need" right at the beginning.

Michelle,

I have been waiting for the elusive 5d3 for over a year now, and it sounds more reasonable that the rumors may be coming to fruition sooner rather than later. The thing that worried me, after the camera is announced, it will be a while until the camera gets released for sale. Then, if you dont preorder, you will probably be waiting 3-6 months + until you can reasonably get one. Even if you get one right away, I would want to put it through a lot of testing/firmware upgrade or 2 before I can trust it for weddings. When I first got my 7d, when I used it on the high speed burst, it corrupted my cards each time the buffer got full. If you found this out at the first wedding during the kiss, first dance, or other important moment, that would some bad news.

Red Tie Photography wrote in post #13030457
Michelle,

I have been waiting for the elusive 5d3 for over a year now, and it sounds more reasonable that the rumors may be coming to fruition sooner rather than later. The thing that worried me, after the camera is announced, it will be a while until the camera gets released for sale. Then, if you dont preorder, you will probably be waiting 3-6 months + until you can reasonably get one. Even if you get one right away, I would want to put it through a lot of testing/firmware upgrade or 2 before I can trust it for weddings. When I first got my 7d, when I used it on the high speed burst, it corrupted my cards each time the buffer got full. If you found this out at the first wedding during the kiss, first dance, or other important moment, that would some bad news.

Yikes! Yeah, I've made the move to sell the 85 1.2II and get either a 5Dc or another 5D MKIII...I'll be having nightmares about corrupted cards, now, thanks, Bryan!

The 5d2 is a much more usable camera than the 5d, whilst the image quality of the 5d impressed me, the very poor lcd and inability to see through the viewfinder in very bright weather ruined it for me.

I would suggest you go with the 5d2 if you need to not be worrying about your camera at all.

From what I've heard, the 5D3 may carry a $3,000+ price tag. That's why I ultimately gave in and bought the 5DII. I just can't imagine sinking that kind of money into a body when the 5DII is a fantastic camera and I could use the $600 saved for something more important... like a lens. Heck, there's nothing wrong with a 40D! Have you seen how Lloyd rocks his? It ain't about the camera!