tested 24-105L. Tell me what to do!

So yeah, just tested a 24-105L. Looks clean and well looked after for $600. Seems like a bargin. Test shots are below. Looking to get into weddings. Also do a bit of walkaround and street. Already have a 17-40..Looking to combine this with a 85 1.8

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You need to test it without flash.

I don't shoot weddings, but from all I've read I would venture to guess that at most weddings you are going to be shooting in relatively low light and the f4 zooms are going to make things more difficult for you unless you plan on using flash all the time. The f2.8 zooms and fast primes seem to be the go to lenses for wedding photography as I understand it. Perhaps someone with more experience can chime in.

Great price, and a great walkaround lens, but you said you were trying to get into weddings, and that's where I'd pause. I, too, am looking to get into some event photography, and I've already determined that, even with my 5D MKIII and it's great low-light performance, my 17-40's f/4 isn't going to cut it. Now I'm looking to sell that to procure a 16-35 f/2.8. You may want to think about whether you'd be better served putting that $600 towards a wide aperture lens in the long run.

for $600 get a 50 1.4 and 85 1.8, you should be able to get started with those 2 for wedding, then move on to better things from there.

If I found a nice one for $600, I'd get if for a good outside walk around lens. I would probably not get it as a lens to do weddings or inside events. Unless, as was said, you only use off camera (or bounce) flash.

I like my copy of that lens but it's not a wedding lens. You need more light-gathering for available-light shooting and f/4 isn't going to cut it.

For outdoor "walkabout" it's a nice piece of glass and stays on my camera for that purpose a good part of the time, but for event photography indoors it simply isn't the right piece of glass.

ean10775 wrote in post #15434448
I don't shoot weddings, but from all I've read I would venture to guess that at most weddings you are going to be shooting in relatively low light and the f4 zooms are going to make things more difficult for you unless you plan on using flash all the time. The f2.8 zooms and fast primes seem to be the go to lenses for wedding photography as I understand it. Perhaps someone with more experience can chime in.

I sort of agree with this, but not really.

I used to shoot weddings nearly 20 years ago with film cameras. I had several bodies each with f/2.8 lenses and shot with Kodak Portra 400 and 160 films. The setup worked fine, I survived and took some great shots. I can't recall a single lost opportunity due to improper gear. Maybe improper timing, but not gear.

With the 5D2 and 5D3's increased effectiveness of high ISOs in the 3200 and 6400 range, the argument is greatly weakened for a fast f/2.8 or better primes or zooms. While I no longer shoot weddings or events, I also no longer feel the need to carry the extra weight and bulk of those f/2.8 lenses. Don't misunderstand me, for the still life and portrait photos before and after the ceremony, there's always a place for the 24L, 85L or 135L, but as far as a general zoom for the ceremony and reception, I think I'd be fine with a 24-105L and a 5D2/3.

If you were to look at my library of 5,000+ photos taken so far with my 5D3, I would dare to guess that at least 1/2 are taken at ISO 3200 or higher.

artyH wrote in post #15434364
You need to test it without flash.

What would that tell him that the test with flash did not? I always suggest the opposite. Test a lens in good light or with flash so you can see how the lens itself if working. If it is good and sharp, then any bad results you get later can be attributed to operator error. Testing a lens in a dark cave with no flash is going to deliver muddy pictures. And then the owner chases his tail wondering if there is a problem with the lens. First you elminated all variables other than lens performance.

For the OP:
There are some experienced wedding photoraphers here at POTN that use this lens predominantly. It's certainly workable, particlarly for a wedding photographer that is comfortable in working with flash in any and all conditions when they need to. And really.....that should be you if you are planning to shoot weddings.

I'm sure a lot of wedding photographers would be more comfortable with a little bit faster options, and the 24-70 is the fairly obvious choice. I'm not sure that I'd restrict myself to a handful of primes when shooting events unless you have at least two bodies you are comfortable with as primaries (not just the backup) and know you can work that way.

I would buy it. For that price you can easily sell it, if it is not good enough for youre need.

Im not sure if I could pass this up at this price.. The lack of low light capabilities doesn't concern me to much, as I have a flash and
most of the weddings in Australia are outside, plus I plan on getting a 85 1.8 in case I need the light or some nice blur, and with the 5d2 I'm confident in cranking up the ISO

I also plan on getting a sigma 50 and a 135 in the future and that should cover me for most focal lengths

Thanks for the feedback

That's $600 Australian? Yes, get the lens, you will probably find it will work great for you. Sell it for more than you bought it for if it doesn't.

JeffreyG wrote in post #15436234
What would that tell him that the test with flash did not? I always suggest the opposite. Test a lens in good light or with flash so you can see how the lens itself if working. If it is good and sharp, then any bad results you get later can be attributed to operator error. Testing a lens in a dark cave with no flash is going to deliver muddy pictures. And then the owner chases his tail wondering if there is a problem .

Flash controls AF, so even if I use some flash shots, I always check a lens out with normal indoor and outdoor lighting.

I have this lens and have used it indoors at weddings with my 6D. The ISO performance of the 6D allows me to use this lens indoors. It is a very versatile lens. I also have the Canon 28mm 1.8, 50mm 1.8, and 85mm 1.8 which are better in low light but are less convenient than the 24-105. I think you should be fine using it for weddings. The IS on this lens works very well also.

Wow, that does look sharp, and $600 is a good price.