i want one lens - budget is up to $1500

hi, i have been asked by my buddy's fiance to shoot their wedding. she has no expectations of anything fabulous, just "get what you can".
i'm doing this for fun and as my 'gift' to the couple.

there will be another shooter there, i don't think she has anything fancy for gear, maybe a point and shoot.

i have been contemplating the canon 17-55 IS. i read that we don't want to be in their 'faces' taking shots, so then i think about a 70-200 lens of some brand, sigma, canon or others, but then the cost would greatly increase with an image stabilization added.

i do have a 430EX flash, the 17-40 4.0 L , the nifty 50, and the 28-135 IS. i DO NOT plan to get a second body for an additional lense, although this would be ideal. i have no qualms of spending for another lense to get the couple some good shots, as i have wanted a faster lens eventually, preferably a walk around focal length. but i like the idea of being off to the side getting the shots with a longer lense, and i like the idea of a fast, IS lens which if i could get by with, i would use more often after the wedding. a fast IS 70-200 would be out of my budget unless i found a used one.

thoughts?

i asked if i could use the flash, but do find it intrusive at times. the facilty will be a naval club, large hall, dimly lit i have been told.

thanks for reading.

https://photography-on-the.net …ighlight=FS%3A+​70-200+2.8


Not my link but if I had 1500, id pick it up ASAP!

dimly lit? You will have to go for a fast prime then to get enough light without using that flash.

135L is a nice choice

the 70-200 is also good if you're outdoors. the 17-55 is limited at f/2.8, which may be bit of a burden when you're indoors but could possibly work. When I'm indoors at f/2.8 I find myself at ISO 800-1600

I would go for fast primes if it is that dark.

135mm f2
85mm f1.8
and one of the cheap primes in the 24 to 35mm range

u come to the right place. $1500 for one lens. the new 70-300L is your lens. it's white so it must be good.

EF-S 17-55 + hood is a helluva great lens.

dimly lit, and they might not let you use flash...i'd run....

if you do plan on doing it though...i'd sell the 17-40L for about $650...puts you're budget at $2150

with that i'd probably get a 17-55IS, sigma 30mm f1.4, and 135L...but what the hell do i know...i don't do weddings

Sigma 70-200mm OS is closed to $1500. Unfortunately there is not enough data to know if it's as good as Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS mk1

Any chance of getting access to the hall, for test pic's, you can then gauge what the exposure settings need to be and if you need the f/2.8 lens or faster. You might need a more powerful flash than the 430exII for bounce or use a lot of FEC.

hey thanks for all the input. i will go earlier and check out the room lighting and layout and such.
i'm sure the reception will be dimmer than the ceremony, so i may have exaggerated when i said 'dimly lit'.
i don't want to change lens so i may just go for the 17-55 and 'get in their faces'.
OR use a 70-200 and stay back and let the other person get in their faces, meanwhile i finally acquire the 2.8L i always coveted.

35mmnewbie: i emailed Mike on his 2.8L but i am in ontario canada, his ad says ships to 'conus'. so hopefully something will work out.

I bought a 17-55 for the only wedding I did. It was for friends in my case too. It served me very well and I strongly recommend it.

If I were you I would sell the 17-40 and 28-135. That should get you another ~$800, bringing the total up to $2,300. At that point you can get the 17-55 along with either a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 or some flavor of 70-200.

hey thanks czeglin. i thought about selling those two lenses, i'll think harder about it.

well, i contacted mfr301 and i am going through buying the 70-200 2.8L which i always wanted. i'll do the wedding with that and the 50 1.8, i'll use my 17-40L for group shots outside.
i'll manage with my flash as well for teh reception.

good stuff, thanks again for the advice folks.

If I were in your shoes I would get the 70-200 f2.8IS for its versatility, and sell the other lenses you have for a nice prime.. maybe a sigma 30/1.4

i just did the deal for the 70-200 f2.8 IS.

i'm excited now!

SmuckerS2 wrote in post #10852002
i just did the deal for the 70-200 f2.8 IS.

i'm excited now!

I don't blame you! I want that lens so bad! hah