first wedding shoot - lens + body question

Important point to note before this discussion kicks off - I am not the hired help, but am attending one of my best friends weddings and making some practice out of it in the mean time, looking to make this more than a hobby someday. One thing I know for sure is, unless the photographer has an assistant, he/she will not be with the groom when he's getting ready with the boys, so that's where I come in.

Gear list is in my sig. I am looking to go with the following combos

5D2 + 35L + 580exII
6D + 70-200 2.8II

My reasoning:

feel more comfortable in the 5D2's operation thus the 35L, the 6D isn't as intuitive to me yet without the joystick (worried mostly about composition in regards to focus points). The 6D will wear the zoom, it'll take advantage of the gain in ISO performance and center point focus capability over the 5D2; I intend to use it for portraiture/catching finer details, making use of natural light as much as possible.

Wish I had something to fill the 35-70 gap, but I'll have both bodies on me at the same time (and the sony in my pocket, which is not to be discounted). Should be a great experience all around

any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Pretty good. Looking at your gear, it seems you really only have two choices though...thats which lens to put on which camera, and quite frankly the image quality differences will be negligible, so just go with whichever makes you most comfortable. Sounds like you've got it worked out.

well for one.. i wont do weddings.. im a hobbiest and will let u pros do this..
but google away wedding photographer photo checklist and bet you will get the big list of photos to get..
now you screw up getting the shots that is on you but I do know the pro's here have a check list in their back pocket (or the ones that did this long enough know it off the top of their head)..

that is where to start... since you are not the main photographer you can still get the idea with a list...

forget gear and skill if you dont have the requirements I think it wont be a success... just saying.. and im only replying cuz no one else has and im enough wine glasses in to reply!!! HAH although i see you just put this up 3 minutes ago!!! LOL.. ok i need yet another glass!!!!

thanks for the replies thus far guys. Guitar I agree, really it comes down to as the user, what are you more comfortable with. I have a couple wedding photography books, one of them is "Contemporary Wedding Photography" - by Julie Oswin & Steve Walton. Has the list of those "must get" shots.

Before writing this post, I struggled a lot with the idea of selling the 35L for a 24-70L II. Thought of it as a magic bullet, covering all my bases for my level of experience..however, I used the search function, read tons of threads and realized I don't need to spend $2000 more to just "practice" with, not to mention the stops I'll lose, 1.4 is handy. Foot zoom I guess will fill in that 35-70 gap, but not as convenient, esp. from a perspective stand point.

Another idea I had, and this is for when the actual wedding takes place, was to put the 6D on a gorilla pod with the 35L and use the wireless function to capture pictures with my iphone, i.e. when people are walking down the isle (outdoor wedding). could make for some cool perspectives whilst keeping my tux from getting dirt all over it army crawling...im sure the guests wouldn't be too fond of that.

well if you have the money why not add another lens or two? could pick up a 50mm of some description for cheap and it would be pretty much inbetween the focal lengths.

could also look at adding a used 24 - 105 as they can be had cheapish.

I would absolutely love to add another lens, specifically in the 50mm range like you said, but as of now the nifty fifty is the only one I could afford (still need to make travel arrangements/hotel), but it may as well be the solution to my qualms about filling in the range gap.

5D2 + 35L
6D + 50 1.8

the above could be a winner for those indoor/tight quarters, getting ready for the big day shots. Read a lot about the 50 1.8, I know what it's capable of, just never thought of buying it.

CGsteve77 wrote in post #15814098
I would absolutely love to add another lens, specifically in the 50mm range like you said, but as of now the nifty fifty is the only one I could afford (still need to make travel arrangements/hotel), but it may as well be the solution to my qualms about filling in the range gap.

5D2 + 35L
6D + 50 1.8

the above could be a winner for those indoor/tight quarters, getting ready for the big day shots. Read a lot about the 50 1.8, I know what it's capable of, just never thought of buying it.

you should I've used my friends 50mm f1.8 a lot and like it, though (my own personal preference) I'm going with the sigma 50mm f1.4 instead

also I'd bring the 70 - 200 along too just as an added lens for more versatility

thanks for sharing your input on the 50 1.8!! yah ill be bringing the zoom. will never leave for a shoot without it in the bag. what gets me about the 50 1.8 is that, price is sometimes not indicative of performance in capable hands

CGsteve77 wrote in post #15814325
thanks for sharing your input on the 50 1.8!! yah ill be bringing the zoom. will never leave for a shoot without it in the bag. what gets me about the 50 1.8 is that, price is sometimes not indicative of performance in capable hands

yep just make sure you dont give this one a knock at all (different friend) had theirs bust from just a slight knock. Then again it is plastic lol.

rent a wider, fast zoom lens.

you probably won't use the 70-200 on the crop much at all.

I have taken my SLR to a few weddings. There is little point in remembering must get shots etc, as they require a lot of people control and posing. (I get the impression this is an inconvience on the subjects/guests day.....) They will be photoed by the photographer. You have decent kit, you will get great shots and learn a lot!

I don't see a crop on his list?

I don't see a crop on his list - and I use my 70-200 a lot on a crop, more so when the vicar at the church won't let the photographer come past the last row of pews.

LucasCK wrote in post #15814928
I don't see a crop on his list?

oops, i read 60D not 6D.

either way, wide angle lenses are generally more useful inside and with groups than something at 200mm.

I'd want something wider than 35 and something between 35 and 70.

i'm also guessing his first goal is to be a guest and second goal is to get good shots.

If I woke up in your shoes I would absolutely add the 24-70mm f2.8 to the lens bag.
I shoot a quite a few weddings and I find my 24-105mm and my 70-200mm are the goto lens'
If it were not for the $2000 price tag I would already have the 24-70mm f.8 II.
I feel ya there!