New 5Dmk2 or better lenses

I am currently using a 550D + 50D, 28-135 & 70 - 200 F2.8 when doing weddings. I struggle with low light contitions in church and the reception, where I do not want (or sometimes not allowed to) use flash. The flash irretates people and spoil the mood.

It does seem like the 50D does not like ISO of 1600 or higher. I was thinking of spending money on one of two things:

1. Replacing the 28-135 with a 24-70 F2.8 and getting a good second hand 50D or 60D which will be used as backup gear.

2. Getting a 5Dmk2 and a 50mm F1.8 & 85 F1.8 prime

I am thingking of getting the 5D,

I mainly do portraits and weddings with some landscapes every now and then.

Shall I buy the 5Dmk2 or invest in better lenses than the 28-135?

I'd go for the 24-70 and a backup.

When you say struggle, do you mean too much noise?

If I'm in your shoe and has the funds to buy the 5d2....

I'd sell the 550d and 28-135 lens.

Buy a used 5dc and a 35L and a fast zoom. 5dc is noise happy even at high ISO.

I'd love the 5d if I could ever get my hands on it.... Scared the replacement will be out as soon as I bite the bullet!!

I would also opt for selling the 50d, rebel and the 28-135. That should get you enough to buy a 24-70, 2x 5dc and either the sigma 50 1.4 or the canon 35L. They use the same batts as your current 50d so you could save any spares. This way you have two of the same cam. When you mount a 24-70 to one, and a 70-200 on the other, you don't have a 1.6x crop on one. Also, If your 70-200 is not the IS, I would upgrade to that as well. At least the mki version.
Good luck!!

You think your 5DII would stop working when the 5DIII is released?

Gosh, I hope my continues to rock on.

Thx for all the suggestions. I might then end up selling the 50D to get my hands on the 24-70 aswell. Or just save up a bit more and keep the 50D, it is such a nice camera. And will be my backup once I have the 5D.

people are considering shooting weddings without a backup body?

edit: oops 550d+50d, not just one of them.

Keep in mind the 5D1 is roughly as good as the 7D/550D high-iso wise.

My suggestion is to get faster glass, as you will be getting 2/3 to 2 stops by upgrading from the 28-135, opposed to 1 stop from 5D2. Get the 50/1.8 in any case because it's dirt cheap.

^ You should see some of the local Weddings by Craigslist photographers!
Many stay home moms with a Rebel offering wedding shoots for $300. Amazing!

delhi wrote in post #13748659
^ You should see some of the local Weddings by Craigslist photographers!
Many stay home moms with a Rebel offering wedding shoots for $300. Amazing!

Bingo. I didn't even CONSIDER shooting someones big day until I had 2 5D II's, a full lineup of L primes and a professional understanding of how the camera works in Manual mode (ie, making adjustments on the fly without having to think about it).

I think 5D2. Low light was my problem with my old camera too.
Just couldn't stand it anymore. lots of weddings that I was an attendee, I just could not get fast enough shutter speed, and small concerts as well. No more!

Check out this girl. She uses 5D2's and gets all hand held low light all day long.
One of the world's best wedding photographers.

http://weddings.cather​inehall.net/#/home/

Just my 2 cents.

Reynardt wrote in post #13747562
I am currently using a 550D + 50D, 28-135 & 70 - 200 F2.8 when doing weddings. I struggle with low light contitions in church and the reception, where I do not want (or sometimes not allowed to) use flash. The flash irretates people and spoil the mood.

It amazes me that people will book a photographer and try to stop him/her getting the best shots because of some assumed "irritiation" or annoyance. Light is essential for good images and they need to know that. For my daughter's wedding last year we had video and still pros (both using 5D and 7D by the way) and they were selective and discreet, but (multi) flash was - and had to be - used during both the church wedding and the reception. If folks want pictures, they need to compromise in what is actually a very small way.

Oh, and a 5D is basic kit for a wedding photographer, as is great glass. Your tough choice!

Some priests tell you no flash during ceremony. And some churches, even if they allow flash is pretty hard unless you set up a full lighting kit. Dark vaulted wood ceilings don't work at all with flash bouncing.

I would like to see some ISO 1600+ shots where you were not liking the results. ISO 1600 should work just fine on the 50D, and 3200 with proper post processing.