Which Holy Trinity?

I know, it's been discussed to death but I'd like some insight before I make a final decision.

35L - 85L II - 200L f/2.8

or

24-70L - 85L II - 200L f/2.8

I shoot weddings, people and places. lol. I have the 85L II and 200L and picked up the 24-70L but can exchange it for the 35L and I'm torn. I owned the 35L for a couple before exchanging it for the 85L because of range alone but I fell in love with the 35.

Now I have the 24-70, in the same scenario... can return and pick up the 35L. I love the range but at the same time 35 is wide enough for me and I have the 85L for the longer range.

And of course there's that ever so "hope" that the 24-70 gets an update sometime. So part of me says do the 35L and hold out on a zoom since it isn't a priority.

The second option would be more convenient, being able to zoom through that range and all, I've never shot a wedding but I assume you'd want to make the most of every opportunity available to you so the 24-70 would make that much easier than running back and forth switching between the 35 and the 85, unless of course you have two bodies, but even still, the ol' zoom with your feet thing..
That being said, the 35L is of course a sick lens.

MigsVuitton wrote in post #9032236
And of course there's that ever so "hope" that the 24-70 gets an update sometime. So part of me says do the 35L and hold out on a zoom since it isn't a priority.

This. 35L and then if they update the 24-70 with IS you'll have a nice low light zoom.

Of course it's not my money

Unless you are doing weddings for $$$ I would stick with the 35L.

I've owned the 24-70, but traded it for a 35L.. The 24-70 is an amazing lens on a full frame camera. I've only shot one wedding with it but it was pretty much all I needed.

charliec wrote in post #9032285
Of course it's not my money

Haha, yea I'm leaning towards the 35L by looking at a lot of the images on the forum. I really am into bokeh.

And come to think of it, at weddings I was either shooting with the 85L or the 24-105L (when I had it) on my second body (at 24mm)

So I guess 85L/200L on one body (depending how close I can get to the alter and indoor/outdoor) and 35L on the other would be useful to me.

I knew forum therapy would help

Ask a Priest

35L

+1 on the 35 L.

You really want both and that's your dilema....so keep what you have and save for the 35L.
besides, if you are shooting weddings, your next purchase should be a back up DSLR.

I say 35L. I ordered it from B&H today I'll use the 35L, 85 (1.8) and 200L on my 5D2 for weddings while my son uses the 17-55 f2.8 IS on our 40D. You might want to consider the 17-55 for your 1.6 factor camera. We find it to be a great zoom for wedding work.

GMCPhotographics wrote in post #9032515
You really want both and that's your dilema....so keep what you have and save for the 35L.
besides, if you are shooting weddings, your next purchase should be a back up DSLR.

Ain't that the truth. Both fine lenses. I do have a backup camera.

I agree with Gareth, you probably should have both. There are times when the zoom is the absolute way to go. You'll never be wrong by using the 24-70. However, in the right circumstances you can be wrong with the 35L.

Don't misunderstand, the 35L is a stunner, but the 24-70 is no slouch either and in run and gun and hectic weddings, you will most definitely enjoy the zoom.

I'd just wait and add the 35L to your arsenal.

Puzzled I guess

So i guess my question SHOULD be... with the 24-70L, 85L II, and 200mmL, what is a good set up with my two bodies? I can't seem to put together a good solution.

Assuming the wedding is outdoors since 80% have been for me...

On my crop camera I'm thinking 200mm for the longer reach and my dilemma is what should go on the 5dmkII. Part of me thinks it's silly to have the 24-70 on it over the 85L because the 85 has given me some of my best results... but sometimes I'd like something wider, hence the thought of adding the 35L.

I wouldn't mind putting the 35L on my 5dmkII over the 85L, but something about choosing the zoom over my 85 doesn't sit well with me. Only because if I'm shooting at 70mm, I would rather shoot with my 85L.

Inside the reception, I def. will be using the 85L on my 5d and the 200 would go away with the crop camera open for a lens. Keep in mind my second shooter has both the 24-70 and 16-35 for wide reception shots.

My 2 camera lens list runs like this:
Good light -> 24-70L & 135L (plus a lens bag with 16-35IIL, 24IIL, 85IIL)
Poor light -> 24IIL & 85IIL (plus a lens bag with a 35L/50L/135L)

This works for me, but YMMV
George Weir is the master at running with 3 cameras...that's just too many for my shooting style.
He likes a 24L, 35L and 85L.

Kind Regards,

Gareth Cooper

GMCPhotographics wrote in post #9032515
You really want both and that's your dilema....so keep what you have and save for the 35L.
.

This.

MigsVuitton wrote in post #9032676
Part of me thinks it's silly to have the 24-70 on it over the 85L because the 85 has given me some of my best results...

I wouldn't mind putting the 35L on my 5dmkII over the 85L, but something about choosing the zoom over my 85 doesn't sit well with me. Only because if I'm shooting at 70mm, I would rather shoot with my 85L.

I seem to recall you raving about the 24-70 when you got it a few days ago - you were very happy with the range, the sharpness, color, IQ, and bokeh quality. What happened? Is it just the prime mentality taking over, or do you really feel the 35L would be better suited for your task than the zoom?