5D3 Wedding shooters: 70-200 question

I do most of our Parish photography and I just upgraded my 7D to a 5D3 which I absolutely do not regret. I have a 70-200 F4 which has been unusable with no flash in church shooting. I have rented glass some with my 7D but got an 85 1.8 last year which works OK. This was with my 7D, 85mm, f1.8, 1/250 at ISO 2000:

have you considered tamron 70-200mm f2.8 vc, which is priced similar to canon's 70-200mm f4 is?

To answer some of your questions:

1. Max ISO that still retains good IQ is 6400. I've shot at 12800 to 16000 before. They are still VERY usable, but I would not say the IQ is good.
2. 1/60 for f/4 IS is doable.
3. I'd rather shoot at 6400 f/4 with IS than 6400 f/2.8 no IS.

onick wrote in post #16516793
have you considered tamron 70-200mm f2.8 vc, which is priced similar to canon's 70-200mm f4 is?

For the type of shooting your doing check out the non VC version of the Tamron. Not
good for sports or wildlife due to its slow focus check some reviews on this lens. It is
large and heavy as all these 70-200 mm 2.8 lens are but for what you need take a look
at $769.00 new.

Perry,

Interesting dilemma you're in and I can see why you're seeking input. I would also suggest seeing if a mod could move this to the Discuss Wedding Photography forum as there are many active pros in there that might be able to give you better input.

I use a 5D Mark III and I am a Second Shooter that has shot quite a few weddings. Personally, I feel like the 5D Mark III can produce pretty good images at 6400 ISO, but a little noise reduction in post might be necessary at times. (It all depends on what the image is being used for and how big the image will be printed/displayed.)

I have never used a 70-200 f4 IS or the 70-200 2.8 non-IS, but in answer to your question, I am very comfortable shooting at 1/60th at 200mm with image stabilization. But, I have very steady hands and have really worked on my technique when shooting handheld at slow shutter speeds. With that being said, it's important to note that Image Stabilization is no help whatsoever if your subject is moving and you're shooting at a shutter speed that's too slow to stop their motion. (As is often the case at a wedding in a dimly lit church.)

If I were in your shoes, and especially as a wedding photographer, I would choose the lens with the faster aperture every time. But keep in mind, that is just one man's opinion and I'm not a full-time wedding pro, so you may want to seek out more opinions then just my own!

I hope this helps,
Bryan

Have not tried the f4 but own the IS mark 2. Love it.
Just use the 85 for now and save till you can afford the IS2. This is what I will do.
Get the best and no more upgrade later down the track.

Exposed well, the 5D3 can easily do excellent ISO 12,800 and 25,600 shots... I have used these high ISO's for commercial work and never heard of any complaints. They looked great.

You are shortchanging yourself and your camera if you keep the ISO this low. I shoot a 60D which should be over a stop less capable. The sample below is taken in the choir loft, not the best lit area in the church...

If you click at the photo, it will take you to the album, shot exclusively in the St. Monica's Church in NYC. ISOs vary mostly from 3200 to 12800. I used the EF-S 18-200 the EF 50 f1.8 and the EF 70-200 MkII (you can tell which... this lens' rendering is unmistakable).

IMAGE LINK: http://s37.photobucket​.com …IMG_3970gimp102​4.jpg.html

I don't know if it will work for you but when I was using the 70-200mm f/4 IS I also got the 135Mm f/2.0L which is lighter, focuses fast and is a stop faster than a f/2.8 to go with the f/4 zoom. Simply love it.

mpstan wrote in post #16516610
I do most of our Parish photography and I just upgraded my 7D to a 5D3 which I absolutely do not regret. I have a 70-200 F4 which has been unusable with no flash in church shooting. I have rented glass some with my 7D but got an 85 1.8 last year which works OK. This was with my 7D, 85mm, f1.8, 1/250 at ISO 2000:

1. What maximum ISO are you comfortable with using 5D3 for nice IQ?

2. How slow would you feel comfortable shooting the F4 IS at 200mm..... can you do 1/60th?

3. If you guys and ladies are comfortable shooting at 6400 ISO, wouldn't that imply that I should consider the F2.8 non ISO (I'm pretty sure I could pull off F2.8, 1/250 sec, 6400 ISO)?

I know 3 out of 4 people like the F4 IS lens over the 2.8, but with the 5D3's high ISO capability I'm wondering if the 2.8 might have some advantages (nicer bokeh, less expensive lens). I'm not worried about size or weight.

Thanks for your help!

Perry

You need to push yourself and your gear. The 5DM3 and the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM is an amazing camera. I cannot imagine this combination being unusable except when there is absolutely no light.

Here's one for you, and I wasn't even pushing it. I get acceptable images down to ISO 20000 with a shutter speed of 1/250s. Here the Exif for the image below: 1/500s, f/5.6, ISO10000, 200mm. Yes. Read those again. Amazing machine.

I personally never take my 70-200 2.8 IS(I) in the church. It's not usable really. My go to is my 85mm. That is glued on my 5d3 at all times and have my 35L on my 5dc for wide angle stuff.

I had the Canon 85mm 1.8 and upgraded to the Siggy 85mm 1.4 and love it. The croppability of the 5d3 with the 85 on is plenty of zoom and low light ability. Stick with the 85 and just adjust your ISO as needed. I have gone 6400 ISO and as long as you are properly exposing (not underexposing) your shot you should be fine

Not sure if spending 3k on a camera with no money left for glass was the best idea?

Maybe you could sell your 5d3, buy a 6d, and use the extra money towards some lenses you need?

Unless you are taking action photographs in your parish there really isn't any benefit of having the AF of the 5d3 (which is the main upgrade between the 2) The 6d has 1/3 stop better ISO, which would also benefit you.

not meaning to insult you here. just a thought.

Jerobean wrote in post #16518409
Not sure if spending 3k on a camera with no money left for glass was the best idea?

Maybe you could sell your 5d3, buy a 6d, and use the extra money towards some lenses you need?

Unless you are taking action photographs in your parish there really isn't any benefit of having the AF of the 5d3 (which is the main upgrade between the 2) The 6d has 1/3 stop better ISO, which would also benefit you.

not meaning to insult you here. just a thought.

That's a very good point. He would be much better off selling the MIII, picking up a new 6D, and then the 70-200 2.8L IS II.

Bryan

70-200 2.8L IS Mk II or go home.

But on the 5D Mk III you should be able to do up to 6400 ISO at least without issues.

I just did a ceremony at a reception hall where the officient explicitly forbade me from flash, being intrusive, etc. The venue was kind enough to have their mood lighting set, so I was at iso 10,000 and 1/100 second at f/2 on the 85 (or 1/50th at 2.8 on the 70-200). I am not particularly happy about the results, as they were softer than I would want.

You absolutely need the 2.8IS; get the older version 1 or the tammy but you will run into situations where you will need 2.8 AND IS even pushing the ISO into the 5 digit range