Going to start wedding photography.

Currently, I have a 5D and a 50mm, and I'm thinking about offering my services at weddings for free (as a second-backup photog of course, I would not tell my clients to use me only as I am new at this.).

Another obvious point is that I'm low on equipment. While the 50mm 1.2 L is great in low lights, I've shot enough with it to know that it has it's short (literally, and wide) comings.

So, I am looking to add the following 2 lenses into my arsenal. What do you guys think? Some questions ...

1. Will the 28-300 be too heavy? It overlaps the range of the 24-70 a lot, will this be a good "single lens to use" for all situations? Or am I better off replacing this with say a 100-400?

2. How do you guys like the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L? Since it does overlap w/ the 28-300 a bit, what about replacing this with the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM?

Thanks in advance and sorry if any of this doesn't make sense or sound stupid.

Oh, more details. The 28-300 is the EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L.

My budget is $3000 to $3500.

I'd add a 24-70/2.8L into the bag, an XTi/40D backup body, backup 580ex, black box battery packs (http://www.aljacobs.co​m/)... and a 16-35 if you have extra funds afterwards. Your 70-200/2.8L is will do fine for longer stuff... and actually could serve well as a portrait lens. Leave the 28-300's for the ambulance chasers

As an alternate, you could get a 40D and leave a 17-55/2.8 IS on there all the time... and use your 50/1.2 and 70-200/2.8L on the 5D.

I'm forgetting something... oh ya... flash brackets.. get some!

did I mention... get a backup for EVERYTHING.

i havent done much wedding photog, but whenever i assist a friend, these are the lenses that come to mind for me:
17-55/2.8 IS + 70-200/2.8 (non is) + monopod + 30D/xti backup body
mount the 70-200 on the 5D and the 17-55 on the backup. might need some practice with the monopod, but i thought that was a good compromise for the budget.

but... im new to this. im sure others might offer better ideas/solutions

Kevin034 wrote in post #3775098
Currently, I have a 5D and a 50mm, and I'm thinking about offering my services at weddings for free (as a second-backup photog of course, I would not tell my clients to use me only as I am new at this.).

Another obvious point is that I'm low on equipment. While the 50mm 1.2 L is great in low lights, I've shot enough with it to know that it has it's short (literally, and wide) comings.

So, I am looking to add the following 2 lenses into my arsenal. What do you guys think? Some questions ...

1. Will the 28-300 be too heavy? It overlaps the range of the 24-70 a lot, will this be a good "single lens to use" for all situations? Or am I better off replacing this with say a 100-400?

2. How do you guys like the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L? Since it does overlap w/ the 28-300 a bit, what about replacing this with the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM?

Thanks in advance and sorry if any of this doesn't make sense or sound stupid.

Take the 100-400 right out of it. It might be nice if you are outside and can't get near the bride & groom but it's a little long (and heavy) to shoot weddings.

I did a couple weddings last year and decided the 24-70 f/2.8 L is a perfect lens for a wedding and now with the 5D it's a perfect combo.
I also agree you need a backup camera. Doesn't matter which camera you use but picture the brides face as you tell her "Sorry, I know your wedding is just starting but I dropped my camera coming up the church steps ... have a nice day!" Then picture her lawyer's face!

A 28-300 for a distant shot and 16-35 (or 17-40) for a large group shot would be a good second set of lenses for the backup/2nd camera. Though the 24-70 would handle that large group nicely ... the 16-35 would still be a nice setup on a backup/2nd, if it's a crop camera.

I also recommened (highly) a good flash (580EX) along with the battery pack. I use the one from Canon and it will recycle the flash instantly ... you will find that VERY important! Also use a flash bracket and a soft box.

Thank you guys so much for the advise! After thinking about it, the 50 1.2L is really a "backup" lens in case the wedding is held in a church with low light or at night time situations. I'll carry it in my bag, in case any low light situation was ever to come up.

I am sure that at most weddings, there will be a "group shot", so I am thinking the 16-35 is what I would need for that. But, the 24-70 2.8 does offer a bit more range, plus at 24mm ... I think that I can fit almost any party into the picture.

How about:
5D+580EX+BG-E4+CP-E4+Mono-Pod
24-70 2.8L
70-200 2.8L
50mm 1.2L

Johneo - Yes, I have the 580EX and BG-E4 at this point already, I will pick up a CP-E4 to go with it. As for the flash bracket and soft box, this is primary going to be on-the-field shooting. I think the less the equip the better. The thought of carrying a 5D+580EX+BG-E4+CP-E4+mono-pod already makes my arm sore.

That line up looks fine. Did you look at those Jacobs black box flash batteries I linked. They are really great battery packs... I've been using them for a while now with great success! I cannot compare to the canon packs... Jacobs makes fine products though. I get 800-1000 flashes no problem out of a pack even with high output recycles caused by the lightsphere.

I think 24mm on the 5D will be more than wide enough for group shots. The 16-35 would be nice bit you have other things to spend a grand on. Its kinda one use where at the 24-70 will handle a wide variety of shots... it'll be your bread and butter lens without a doubt.

...I cannot stress enough how important it is to have backups. You absolutely have to have another camera and another flash. IDK if you are married or ever have been... you DO NOT want to be on the receiving end of a bridezilla gone ballistic cause your 580 popped or 5d died.

Hahaha Yes, I am married and I do understand what a bridezilla is. I'll definitely check out Jacobs, thanks for the recommendation.

I am thinking about a 30D as backup. It'll cost me 1K, has a build in flash, uses all the lenses I have in my bag. So in case the 5D or 580EX goes down, there will be a backup.

Have you read the stickys in the wedding forum yet? There is one started that can really help you along. Many of us have posted in that one and I think there are at least 10 pros that have given advice there.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdis​play.php?f=78

Everything you may need to know. The wedding forum is where this question should be.

If you can swing it, the 35L would be an excellent choice for group/reception shots in low light. When the dancing and partying starts, you'll want a fast, wide angle lens to capture the action.

Also, what do you guys recommend for a monopod? At first I"ll be shooting w/ out a crew, so I want something that I can pick up and go, w/ very small foot print.

If you have IS lenses, you won't really need a monopod. And another alternative to the 35L, is the Sigma 30mm 1.4. Just make sure you have backups for everything, because equipment has a nasty tendency to fail when you least expect it.

Cool, what about this ... what is the difference bewteen these filters?

B+W:
77mm UV Haze 010 Glass Filter
77mm UV Haze 010 Glass Filter Slim
77mm UV Haze 010 Glass Filter Extra Wide

5D + 24-70 f2.8L = the ultimate wedding kit (well in my opinion). I heard people use it 90% of the time. i mean with full frame it can cover small groups to nice portraits. brilliant combo.