First wedding Nov.29 -- f/2.8 lens or f/1.4 prime?

I have my first wedding booked for Nov.29, second on Dec.20. I've never done a winter wedding befoe, but I know it will get dark quick. My fastest lens is currently at f/2.8 and I do have 580ex flash.

I am now thinking about trading my Sigma 24-70f/2.8 for Sigma 30mm f/1.4! Should I do that??

Would you have another lens with you?

I guess I should have listed that.. I'll have my Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Tokina 12-24 f4.
Thinking about trading my Sigma 24-70 for Sigma 30 f/1.4!

If you think you can exchange lenses during the wedding I think it would be good to get the f1.4 or if you have a spare body you can setup a good pair.

Get a longer prime. 85mm f/1.8. THe 24-70 will be good for the reception.

17-55 F2.8 IS. Sure it doesn't work on full frame, but you don't have full frame, and lenses can be sold. Shooting at F1.4 you'll find many shots out of focus, so you have to take lots. With my 50 F1.4 I try to stay at F2.0 or above, but for low light work I prefer the F2.8 IS so I can drag in background ambient light as the couple are lit by off camera flash anyway.

tim wrote in post #6407876
17-55 F2.8 IS. Sure it doesn't work on full frame, but you don't have full frame, and lenses can be sold. Shooting at F1.4 you'll find many shots out of focus, so you have to take lots. With my 50 F1.4 I try to stay at F2.0 or above, but for low light work I prefer the F2.8 IS so I can drag in background ambient light as the couple are lit by off camera flash anyway.

I think I saw you saying that you got 2 17-55mm lenses? Do you shoot at 2.8?

yuriyo923 wrote in post #6407945
I think I saw you saying that you got 2 17-55mm lenses? Do you shoot at 2.8?

I have three 17-55 F2.8 IS lenses, one I dropped and it's busted, insurance replaced it and I bought a 3rd as a spare. My assistant uses the 2nd 17-55 most of the time. I get nervous without backups as i've had failures.

I shoot my lenses mostly wide open. The 17-55 is sharp, just make sure you nail focus, and be a little careful shooting into the sun. I prefer the 70-200 or 50 F1.4 if I have to shoot into the sun, or just shade the lens so the sun doesn't strike it directly. A lens hood is an absolute must with this lens.

tim wrote in post #6407981
I have three 17-55 F2.8 IS lenses, one I dropped and it's busted, insurance replaced it and I bought a 3rd as a spare. My assistant uses the 2nd 17-55 most of the time. I get nervous without backups as i've had failures.

I shoot my lenses mostly wide open. The 17-55 is sharp, just make sure you nail focus, and be a little careful shooting into the sun. I prefer the 70-200 or 50 F1.4 if I have to shoot into the sun, or just shade the lens so the sun doesn't strike it directly. A lens hood is an absolute must with this lens.

Coming from someone like you on the forum.. I think I'm convinced. I'll be looking for 17-55 IS. Thanks for advice!

Welcome. B&H has them.

Got a really good deal on Sigma 30mm 1.4 so I bought it... Sold my Sigma 24-70 f2.8 and now looking for 17-55 IS...

I still have a preference for something longer most of the time. I tried a Tamron 17-50 and sorely missed the extra 20-25mm from the full frame standard zooms.

To each their own. I'm transitioning my equipment more towards full frame compatibility: Eventually I may buy a 16-35 and sell my Sigma 10-20 once I get a 5D.