Poll: Which setup is more appealing to you?

As I am doing more and more weddings, ceremonies and other outdoor activities..

I find myself using zoom lenses far more than my prime lenses..

Thing is.. I am a prime lens lover.. I use them whenever I can, and they never lets me down.

It is just that.. it is becoming harder to find a time to use them.. And I feel the need of a faster zoom lenses.. Also missing focal length between 40mm-70mm is impacting me more than I have thought.

So I have come to an conclusion with these 2 potential setups..

Currently I have, 17-40L, 70-200/4 IS, 35L, 50/1.8 & 85/1.8.

And thinking about.. 17-40L, 24-70L, 70-200/4 IS, 50/1.4 & 85/1.8.

Or.. 24-70L, 70-200/2.8 IS, 50/1.4 & 580EX

What would you do in my shoes?

I appreciate your time and input. Thanks.

As a wedding shooter myself F/2.8 is invaluable, as is the versatility of good zooms. I'm all for supplementing zooms with primes, but the zooms for my style of event shooting are the corner stone. I went with your third option, and if possible I'd keep the 17-40 in there too. If you are shooting with a crop body consider the 17-55 IS as well. The biggest thing is F/2.8 in the telephoto. There's my two cents, for future posters maybe indicate what bodies you are shooting with.

For me, it'd be #2 hands down.

I think that the third option, especially since it comes with a flash and covers a great range (especially if you kept the 17-40L) would be the best set up. The 70-200 is a phenomenal lens, as well as the 24-70 (or most L lenses).

On another note, PM me if you want to sell your 50mm 1.8

Jman13 wrote in post #6118668
For me, it'd be #2 hands down.

I hear you.. it is tempting setup.
Bascially I will have to trade 35L for 24-70L and get 50/1.4 to replace the 50/1.8.
It is also most modest change over.. (meaning less $$$ to bleed )

Dorman wrote in post #6118648
As a wedding shooter myself F/2.8 is invaluable, as is the versatility of good zooms. I'm all for supplementing zooms with primes, but the zooms for my style of event shooting are the corner stone. I went with your third option, and if possible I'd keep the 17-40 in there too. If you are shooting with a crop body consider the 17-55 IS as well. The biggest thing is F/2.8 in the telephoto. There's my two cents, for future posters maybe indicate what bodies you are shooting with.

I have 5D, and you are right..
Constant f/2.8 from 24mm to 200mm will serve me real well.
Many times I had to shoot with ISO800 or higher using f/4 to keep the shutter speed just adequate..
In cases like that.. f/2.8 will be an invaluable asset.

Well.. so far..
4 votes for the #2 and 10 votes for the #3.
And none for the #1, which is my current setup.

Believe it or not.. this poll is helping me tremendously.
At least it is telling me that I am not as insane as I thought..
Thanks guys.

#3. You'll want the flash, and it's best to keep a kit as small as possible, IMO.

Keep it simple, #3.

Full range + good prime + flash. What more could you want?

I am also leaning for #3 because of the f/2.8 on the telephoto.

Although the choice #3 with the EF 70-200 f/2.8 is more appealing, I chose choice #2 because the f/2.8 version of the 70-200 is all too heavy to carry around. Besides, the f/4 IS version of the 70-200 is one of Canon's best lenses ever, as sharp if not sharper than the f/2.8, but lighter to carry. f4 is okay for me if there is IS on the lens. Moreover, 17-40, 24-70 and EF50 f/1.4 and EF85 f/1.8 are a great selection of lenses. However, I would probably swap the 24-70 for the EF-S 10-22 on a cropped sensor camera. Moreover, I would then switch the 17-40 for the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8. You may also add the cheaper 380EX flash later-on.
My 2 cents.

So final choice I suggest:
EF-S 10-22
EF-S 17-55 f/2.8
EF 70-200 f/4 IS
EF 50 f/1.4
EF 85 f/1.8
380EX Flash

Voted #3, just for the light. Gotta have light, man!

Having a faster lens never hurts (usually) Voted #3

I voted for #3 cause that is my exact setup, all 3 lens mounted on 3 bodies.

although once i save up enough, i'm thinking of 3 primes

24L, 85L and 135L

For weddings a flash is a necessity IMHO. A good zoom like the 24-70L and some fast primes is a must too.

bsaber wrote in post #6119181
For weddings a flash is a necessity IMHO. A good zoom like the 24-70L and some fast primes is a must too.

Really? I haven't used one all season.