Opinions and advice sought.

Hi all,

I'm a freelance and I plan to use a combination of 50D and 5D.

The 50D would normally be mated to my 70-200 for superbikes/race cars on track.
The 5D would primarily be used for weddings - together with the 50D. (I'm just a second shooter and only do weddings occasionally).

My questions are two part:
1. what lenses would be a good mix for the above two types of work?

2. I have about USD 1,700 and the following gear:

Bodies : 450D+grip, 50D+grip

Lenses : 18-55IS, 55-250IS, 50 1.8 mk2, 70-200 2.8L IS, Tokina 11-16 2.8, Sigma 30mm f1.4

My plan is to sell off all my lenses except the 70-200 and to sell off the 450D and hope to get about USD 1800 and use the proceeds from there to fund :
5D Mark II
EF 28mm f1.8
EF 85mm f1.8

The only other thing I would wish for is to buy a 16-35 L for the 5D, but I suppose that will have to come later.

The only thing is, given my work requirements, I'm not sure if this is the best way to make the most of the cash I have. I'd appreciate to hear any suggestions on how I can do better.

Thanks in advance.
Nik.

Sounds like a plan my friend. I don't know how useful that 28mm will be doing weddings. Wouldn't a 50mm do you better paired with the 5D? But then, my wedding experience is limited.

HoosierJoe wrote in post #8452176
Sounds like a plan my friend. I don't know how useful that 28mm will be doing weddings. Wouldn't a 50mm do you better paired with the 5D? But then, my wedding experience is limited.

Hi Hoosier Joe,

Actually, the plan was 5D2 + 35L + 85L but I'm no where near to having that kind of money. Hence, the 28 + 85. I did give a thought to the 35 f2 but feel that its a bit too slow. I was told that the sigma 30 1.4 that I currently own does not work on a 5D, else I would probably find some way to keep that.

I didn't consider the 50 as the wedding shooters that I shoot with don't normally use that focal length. But I don't do many weddings either - only off and on. So I'm kind of looking for advice on whether that's suitable as an inexpensive combination.

Lets see what other's say.

Nik.

I've been shooting weddings for over 2 years, and can live with 2 zooms without a hitch. When I upgraded to a 5d I got the 24-70, and before that used a tammy 17-50 on a cropper. I can honestly say that there are very few times I need wider than 24 on the 5d, so the 17-35 is probably overkill in your case. There are a few times when something like the 50/1.4 would be nice to have, but as a general rule you only need a 5d+24-70 and 50d+70-200/2.8IS with a 580ex.

The classic 5D is still a stellar camera, so buying a used classic will save some cash while still getting almost the same IQ as a new 5dm2. The good part is, the file sizes are manageable

Well
i know a very good wedding pro who use a 5D with 28-135 (inexpensive and good IQ) add to that the 17-40 and you got a good package at a good price next would be the 50 1.X (x depends on budget)

17-40 for weddings doesn't make much sense to me. but i am not a wedding photographer.

i think timbop is giving the right direction.

timbop wrote in post #8454604
I've been shooting weddings for over 2 years, and can live with 2 zooms without a hitch. When I upgraded to a 5d I got the 24-70, and before that used a tammy 17-50 on a cropper. I can honestly say that there are very few times I need wider than 24 on the 5d, so the 17-35 is probably overkill in your case. There are a few times when something like the 50/1.4 would be nice to have, but as a general rule you only need a 5d+24-70 and 50d+70-200/2.8IS with a 580ex.

The classic 5D is still a stellar camera, so buying a used classic will save some cash while still getting almost the same IQ as a new 5dm2. The good part is, the file sizes are manageable

I agree whole heartedly

I'd have to opt for the original 5D + 16-35LII. It's about $1,600 new vs a new 5D2+ the crappy prime [28 1.8] the 85 1.8 is fine

OP: As one who has owned the 28mm f/1.8, I found it to be especially good on FF. The Af is very good on this lens (read: fast), as is the IQ. It is compact. I only sold mine for the 35L.

Thanks guys, for sharing your views. I'll probably not get the 16-35 so soon but I do like having an ultra wide for some situations - the picture it creates is just completely different from other lenses.

Also, I have given some thought on the 5D classic, but I just have this thing about getting the latest model.

But still, I have maybe another week or two before I get the 5D so there's still time to think about it.

Nik.

omer wrote in post #8454685
Well
i know a very good wedding pro who use a 5D with 28-135 (inexpensive and good IQ) add to that the 17-40 and you got a good package at a good price next would be the 50 1.X (x depends on budget)

I read a book by pro photographer Rick Sammons and he uses a 28-135 sometimes on his 1 series cameras. It's a much maligned lens on this forum but I think it is all in who is using it and how.