Gear question

As some might know from my previous threads I am thinking about dipping my toe into weddings in the next while. I will be picking up some new gear over the next while and wonderd your opinions if the below would be an ok place to start.

70d for main and a 70d for backup
Tokina 11-16 2.8
Canon 15-85 3.5-5.6
Sigma 30 1.4
Canon 85 1.8
Canon 100 2.8 macro

Would you be ok with nothing longer then the 100mm on a crop? If not what would your suggestion be with an eye to budget friendly (aka I am ok with 3rd party). Lets save the lighting for another time at this point.

Thank you in advance, this list is in no way set in stone, just looking to get advice as I move forward with purchases.

I love spending someone else money .

Everything looks good for starting out.
If possible:
Canon 7D2 instead of 70D b/c 7D2 is the new 1DX (j/k). Seriously, b/c it's awesome from what I read.
Canon 17-55mm b/c it is f/2.8 in all focal length instead of 15-85mm 3.5-5.6

Good luck and have fun!

no speedlite?

if the wedding is in a dark place, i think it might be a bit of a struggle.

good luck

Littlejon Dsgn wrote in post #17265756
Lets save the lighting for another time at this point.

Thank you in advance, this list is in no way set in stone, just looking to get advice as I move forward with purchases.

MFG wrote in post #17265811
no speedlite?

if the wedding is in a dark place, i think it might be a bit of a struggle.

good luck

I have lighting and am confident using it

I've shot a few wedding using the 70D, it only really struggled in the dark trying to focus (iso6400 and up) otherwise its bang on. No need to splash out on the latest must have all talking about 7D2 (not that need should have anything to do with it - unless it a business ).
One thought, would you swap out the 15-85 for the 17-55 f2.8 IS constant 2.8 and IS + really sharp = good. Oh & 2nd on a speedlight with AF assist.

Also for close ups I use my Zeiss 35 f2.4 with it's insane close focus distance http://www.dpreview.co​m/forums/thread/339676​1

Tigerkn wrote in post #17265797
I love spending someone else money .

Everything looks good for starting out.
If possible:
Canon 7D2 instead of 70D b/c 7D2 is the new 1DX (j/k). Seriously, b/c it's awesome from what I read.
Canon 17-55mm b/c it is f/2.8 in all focal length instead of 15-85mm 3.5-5.6

Good luck and have fun!

Two Hot Shoes wrote in post #17265836
I've shot a few wedding using the 70D, it only really struggled in the dark trying to focus (iso6400 and up) otherwise its bang on. No need to splash out on the latest must have all talking about 7D2 (not that need should have anything to do with it - unless it a business ).
One thought, would you swap out the 15-85 for the 17-55 f2.8 IS constant 2.8 and IS + really sharp = good. Oh & 2nd on a speedlight with AF assist.

Also for close ups I use my Zeiss 35 f2.4 with it's insane close focus distance http://www.dpreview.co​m/forums/thread/339676​1

Thank you both, I looked at the 7D2 but decided the extra cost was not worth it, I have added the 17-55 to my watch list as it would only be a couple hundred if I sold my 15-85 to fund its purchase.

You should determine your lens line up based on your own shooting style.

Is your 100mm Macro the L version with IS? If not, also add it to your watch list. 100mm on crop body = 160mm; great for both macro and telephoto.

I'd suggest having two f/2.8 zooms before anything else. They'll let you take advantage of the center point's sensitive AF. And using a zoom is crucial as you're learning the ebb and flow of a wedding. I'd go with the two Sigmas: 17-50mm and 50-150mm. These would be your staple lenses. Add some primes for use as backup/specialty lenses: Sigma 30mm, Canon 60mm macro, Canon 135mm. Maybe a Canon 10-18mm for wide/group shots.

As for bodies, I think dual card slots are vital for work like this (I've had a Lexar die in my 5D3). Other than that, I'd pick two of the same bodies, anything from the 40D or better. A couple of 60Ds would cost you half as much as the 70Ds and you wouldn't lose much.

The main lens for many wedding photographers is the 24-70, on a crop that's more like 18-55. You should have a constant F2.8 zoom for that, it helps autofocus and lets you narrow depth of field. I see you have primes, which you can use when you're not in a hurry, but wedding days can be manic.

Macro lens is a nice to have, a 70-200 would be far more useful though. Use tubes for macro, you only need them generally at slower points in the day so slower operation is no real problem.

Wide lens, 2.8 is maybe nice, F4 is fine. 30 F1.4 was a rubbish lens on every camera I tried it on, and I tried multiple copies. These days I will ONLY use lenses the same brand as the body, I find them more reliable.

Two flashes are of course necessary, and battery packs are good. Radio triggers are close to necessary.

Don't count out other brands - I went Nikon for improved focus performance, very happy with my decision. Sony is up and coming. Mirrorless is probably not quite there yet.

Instead of starting a new thread, thought I would ask here first. If I went with 2 60D's instead of 70D's would I be making a huge mistake? I can purchase two reb 60d's for the price of 1 refub 70d, which would allow the extra funds to goto other places.

Littlejon Dsgn wrote in post #17279816
Instead of starting a new thread, thought I would ask here first. If I went with 2 60D's instead of 70D's would I be making a huge mistake? I can purchase two reb 60d's for the price of 1 refub 70d, which would allow the extra funds to goto other places.

The 70D has a lot of upgrades, but I don't consider any of them very significant for your purposes. Wi-Fi, touch screen, video AF, a few more AF points - not worth double the price for event photography.

frugivore wrote in post #17280040
The 70D has a lot of upgrades, but I don't consider any of them very significant for your purposes. Wi-Fi, touch screen, video AF, a few more AF points - not worth double the price for event photography.

Thats kind of what I was thinking. I thought the Wifi would be nice but started trying to figure out when I would actually use it on paying work. The touch screen is no big deal at all and I do not do any video work.

Ditch the 30mm sigma and get the 35mm ART.

Ditch the canon 85mm 1.8 and get the sigma 85mm 1.4.

The macro is great, but not essential - get a canon 135mm 2.0 instead.

Keep the tokina for the wide angle if you must, but consider a faster 24mm prime option.

Ditch the Canon 15-85 3.5-5.6.

Hire a full frame, or consider the canon 6d to start.

And get some flashes!

I would not ditch the 85 1.8.. One of Canons best kept secrets. I know it has CA but it is easily removed in LR.