Another lens choice question

I do mainly outdoor portraits along with some weddings as a 2nd shooter. I am wanting to start doing my own weddings as soon as I get more experience and get the right equipment. I have about 1400 to spend right now and I am trying to decide between getting the tamron 70-200 vc 2.8 or selling my 200 f4 and getting the Canon 70-200 mk 2. Would y'all keep the f4 for times where f 2.8 is not needed, because it is lighter and easier to carry, or get the very best 70-200?

I don't shoot weddings, but I'd think a zoom is more versatile in that scenario, that's probably what I'd go for. the 70-200 f28 seems to be a standard there, though I'm not sure you need that wide open, tiny DOF. f4 maybe?

Get a back-up body. Go to a wedding with one camera and you WILL get caught out.

I agree, a second camera is a must if you are looking at outfitting yourself for wedding photography.

Obviously there's the whole "backup" thing everyone talks about, but also its invaluable to be able to mount a different lens two different cameras. That way you can switch lenses without actually un-mounting and re-mounting during the ceremony.

When I've shot weddings and events I keep a wider lens on one body, and a longer one on the other. For example you might put your 24-70 on one body and the 135 on another.

Your 85 and 135 can back up your 70-200/4 but you don't really have a back up for the 24-70. Getting a used 7D and 17-55(50) would cover you there. Another thought would be to sell the 70-200/4 and 135/2 and get the Tammy 70-200/2.8 VC. Then add a used 5D2 with 24-105 for back up.

I would get rid of the f4 and get the 2.8 personally. The 70-200 2.8 is isn't that heavy. But i agree you need a backup body. I would not get a 7d. I would get another FF body.

I appreciate everybody's responses. I will definitely have a 2nd body before I am the primary shooter at a wedding. I am just trying to figure out what my best lens combination will be. I am definitely getting a 70-200 2.8, I am just not sure if I want the Canon or the Tamron, and also trying to decide if my 135 will become redundant once I get it.

tim1970 wrote in post #16654094
I do mainly outdoor portraits along with some weddings as a 2nd shooter. I am wanting to start doing my own weddings as soon as I get more experience and get the right equipment. I have about 1400 to spend right now and I am trying to decide between getting the tamron 70-200 vc 2.8 or selling my 200 f4 and getting the Canon 70-200 mk 2. Would y'all keep the f4 for times where f 2.8 is not needed, because it is lighter and easier to carry, or get the very best 70-200?

Heya,

If finances permit, I would have this:

Body 1 + 70-200 F2.8 VC (Tamron)
Body 2 + 24-70 F2.8 VC (Tamron)

Saves a lot of money. Does the same job.

Invest in lighting after that.

Very best,