Renting some gear for my first wedding. Tips?

I'm shooting my first wedding on Saturday for a friend. I currently have a 5d2, 24-105, and 580exii. I rented a second 5d2, 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8 IS mkI and a 600ex flash.

My girlfriend will be the second shooter, which is why I rented the second full frame.

Couple questions. Where are the "sweet spots" for aperture on the 24-70 and 70-200? I was planning on just shooting aperture priority all night, but a local photog recommended I shoot in program mode. Any thoughts?

And they had a 5d3 available for another $25, but I'm trying to keep the rental fees as low as possible. There's no real advantage of shooting with the 5d3 is there? Since I'm still an amateur photographer.

Any tips you have are welcome and appreciated. I'll be sure to post some of the edits when I get them done.

Thanks

-Mike

My sweet spot is 2.8 - if you like f/4, you will be renting the f/4 version.

Get the 5d3, it is able to write 1 photo into 2 cards. serve as a form of backup. better AF system than the 5d2. worth >$25 more. then make sure you have spare memory cards.

good luck. stay clam, be professional in carrying out the photography and have fun learning.

Scott

5d3 is well worth the extra $25 rental fee.

Stay away from Program mode. You'll have little control over your DOF going this route. Av mode will allow you to isolate when needed.

As for the zooms, both can be shot at f/2.8, but there might be times where 2.8 is too narrow a DOF.

If light is going to be an issue, the extra $25 for the 5D3 is worth it. The auto focus system is a night and day difference between the two bodies.

In regard to giving your girlfriend the second 5D2, I would only do this if she is comfortable using it. If you are handing her the camera and telling her to have fun, expect your keeper rate to be VERY low. She may have a great idea for photos, but executing them is an entire other ball game. Also, if she is not familiar with wedding photography, her confidence will lack, and her subjects will discredit her ability to take photos.

If the 5d3 wasn't worth it, why would so many people upgrade their 5d2?

MFG hit the big points:

• 2 card slots - auto backup
  
• better AF
  
• better ISO performance
  
• More advanced menu features (you may not use, but it's great to have)
  

I wouldn't worry about sweet spots on those lenses. Just use the apertures you feel you need.

As for the 5D3, totally worth it for the extra $25. Reasons already mentioned by others.

Whelp. That was easy. Just called and upgraded to the 5d3. And I'm pretty sure they use the same batteries as the 5d2 which is good, since I have six or seven batteries already.

And that's a good tip about my Gf. Luckily for me, she's into photography as well. She used to shoot primarily on her old rebel, but has been to enough shoots with me and the 5d2, that she's pretty comfortable with it.

mikealicious wrote in post #16291162
Whelp. That was easy. Just called and upgraded to the 5d3. And I'm pretty sure they use the same batteries as the 5d2 which is good, since I have six or seven batteries already.

Yup - same battery!