5D III + 70D. I'm getting a new wide lens for weddings. Please help!

Ok, so I finally made the move and got a 5DIII to be my main body for wedding photography (I am slowly starting). My 70D will become my second body. I do have the 15-85 FE-s, but I find that it can be quite slow in low light and I want to upgrade. I do have as well 30mm sigma 1.4, Canon 50 mm 1.8 STM, Canon 85mm 1.8 USM, Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro and Canon 70-200 4L IS.

My thoughts are as follows:

1. Buy 24-70 2.8L MkI for the 5D. This will let me use my 5D almost all the time and I can use another lens on the 70D. Problem is that if I use the 70-200 on my 70D it may be too long and the ISO capabilities are not as good as in the 5D. I could just stick primes on it and change the 24-70 for the 70-200 on the 5D when needed.

2. Buy 17-55 2.8 for the 70D and keep it there. Use the 5D for 70-200 and primes

3. What about 24-70 f4? I think 2.8 is a bit too open for 2 or more people in the photo, but it takes double the light. What are your thoughts?

I think a 24-70 of one flavor or the next would be a good addition for you. I personally don't shoot with two cameras at a time, but but if shooting a crop in addition to FF, I'd probably be rocking the 50 & 85mm primes on the crop body.

Here's a current discussion on the 24-70 f/4L IS
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1466948

Silver-Halide wrote in post #18131870
I think a 24-70 of one flavor or the next would be a good addition for you. I personally don't shoot with two cameras at a time, but but if shooting a crop in addition to FF, I'd probably be rocking the 50 & 85mm primes on the crop body.

Here's a current discussion on the 24-70 f/4L IS
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1466948

So basically, that was my first thought. I could get a 24-70 mkI (f2.8) for about €750 used, or a brand new f4 for the same price. I think at this point I'd stick with the f2.8 used. Never had a problem with used lenses before

I have a 6D and 60D combo and I find that I don't use the 60D during weddings. I prefer everything about the 6D as I'm sure you will with your 5D III. I recently got the Sigma 12-24 II and I love it! The nice thing is that it works with both formats, full frame and 1.6 crop. That might be wider than you were thinking though.

yes, the more I read, the more I'm leaning towards the 24-70 2.8. I think 12-24 would be a bit too wide for the moment. Maybe after a while. Thinking of the 135 too. This forum and the lens sample threads are very dangerous!

you can say that again. I was happy enough with the 70-200mm f/4L IS as a second shooter, but being responsible for portraiture necessitated stepping up to the beastly f/2.8 II version. There was also a discussion of the 135mm f/2L vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 II.

If I was in your situation, I would buy the 35mm f/2 and use it (along with the 85mm) on the 5D3 for everything.

The 70D and other lenses would be left in the bag/car in case I needed backup gear.

mclaren777 wrote in post #18132302
If I was in your situation, I would buy the 35mm f/2 and use it (along with the 85mm) on the 5D3 for everything.

The 70D and other lenses would be left in the bag/car in case I needed backup gear.

but 35mm, wouldn't that be too long for group shots?

cubatahavana wrote in post #18132630
but 35mm, wouldn't that be too long for group shots?

Found a really good offer for a 24-105 f4L. What do you guys think about it? I've seen numerous comparisons between the 24-105 and the 24-70. I know I'll lose one stop of light, but having the 50mm, 85mm and 100mm macro I think I could afford the 24-105 and with the difference in price I can even get a 35mm f2. Opinions anyone?

2. would be a better investment.

You want better headshots and portraits. your 15-85 on the 70D takes care of the wide to mid end very well but if low light is an issue, then get the 17-55 2.8. Save that weight for...............



What you need is the 70-200 2.8 II.

Dual carry both cameras and you have everything covered.

Im my experience, it all depends on the venue. When I double carry, I have the 70-200 2.8 on the 7D2 and the 24-105 on my 5D3. 100L is in the bag for macro shots. The 24-105 on the 5D3 is an excellent pairing, particularly if you are starting out. I also have a 24 2.8 for indoor wide angle. The 24-70 is an excellent lens, but when you are starting out with weddings, I'd go for the lens with a bit more reach, as weddings can be REALLY fast paced, and the learning curve is there on what to go for when, and it gives a bit more flexibility with that lens. You can't go wrong really, with either, as long as you 1. also know how to use flash and bounce, and 2. have that fast lens (with the 50 1.8) you can go to when flash/bounce isn't an option and you have shoot natural in low light.

The one thing about the 24-105. I always stop down, at least to f4.5 - the lens tends to be soft wide open, and going down even a smidge can help quite a bit.

But if you want to start off with the 24-70 - go for it, either way, you can get great images. After you shoot some, you'll figure out what fits your needs best.

ksbal wrote in post #18134481
Im my experience, it all depends on the venue. When I double carry, I have the 70-200 2.8 on the 7D2 and the 24-105 on my 5D3. 100L is in the bag for macro shots. The 24-105 on the 5D3 is an excellent pairing, particularly if you are starting out. I also have a 24 2.8 for indoor wide angle. The 24-70 is an excellent lens, but when you are starting out with weddings, I'd go for the lens with a bit more reach, as weddings can be REALLY fast paced, and the learning curve is there on what to go for when, and it gives a bit more flexibility with that lens. You can't go wrong really, with either, as long as you 1. also know how to use flash and bounce, and 2. have that fast lens (with the 50 1.8) you can go to when flash/bounce isn't an option and you have shoot natural in low light.

The one thing about the 24-105. I always stop down, at least to f4.5 - the lens tends to be soft wide open, and going down even a smidge can help quite a bit.

But if you want to start off with the 24-70 - go for it, either way, you can get great images. After you shoot some, you'll figure out what fits your needs best.

Terrific advise. Went for the 24-105. I was speaking with the seller, a wedding photographer with way more experience than me, and he told me that the 24-105 was his main lens for almost every wedding (paired with bouncing, that is). He was moving to Fuji as he has a bad back and wanted something lighter.

I tried a few shots at ISO 3200 f4 and I have to say, it is a HUGE improvement from my 70D+15-85

3. Yes. I'd opt for the f4 instead of the v1 2.8... but that's just me. IS is really good.
Toss it on the 5D3 and the 50/85/100 on the 70D. Killer combo.

My wife:

- Is that ANOTHER red ring????

Yes dear.