Lens choices for second wedding photographer

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bozwellox

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Hi peeps,

I am in the very lucky position of having been asked to be a second photographer for a friend of mine at the weddings he shoots, and now I'm itching to splurge a bit on a couple of new lenses.

My current kit list includes:

Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 5D Mark I (backup/second body)
Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 HSM II (non-OS)
Tamron 28-75 f/2.8
Sigma 50mm f/1.4
Canon 85mm f/1.8
Various flashes, triggers, softboxes etc.

My number one priority is to get the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS II. I think this will be on my main camera most of the time at weddings, as I tend to be picking off longer shots whilst the main photographer is doing formals etc. I found I was struggling a bit at 200mm during the ceremony without the IS helping me out, and aside from that the Canon 70-200 is just insanely sharp even wide open. Whilst my Sigma is lovely and has performed very well, the Canon is superior in every respect (as you'd expect for the hideous price tag) and has IS. I will also use this a lot at some of the other jobs I've got coming up (mainly shooting music festivals).

I am also considering getting a Tamron 24-70 to replace my 28-75. The 28-75 is a fine lens, but the added width and VC would be very useful. Not to mention I find the 28-75 is a little slow (and in some cases, useless) at focusing in low light, which is where I'll be using it quite a bit - wedding receptions etc.

However, aside from the focusing speed and lack of the extra 4mm the Tamron is quite capable, and I'm sure it will serve me well if I can live with its shortcomings.

So the other option is to keep the 28-75 and buy a Sigma 35mm f/1.4. I love primes and this one has been getting rave reviews. I think it could be very useful for the bridal/groom preparation shots and for the reception. However, being a prime it can also be quite limiting. But, with two camera bodies, I can always have the 35mm on one and the 28-75 on the other, if I find I need to go wider/longer, and can't physically move! It would also open up more creative options with the 1.4 aperture.

So I'm really looking for advice from anyone who has any advice from personal experience with either the Sigma 35mm 1.4, the Tamron 24-70, and the Tamron 28-75, particularly anyone who has shot weddings with any of these lenses (particularly the Sigma 35mm). Is the 24-70 worth the upgrade cost, or would I be better off sticking with the 28-75 and adding another prime to my collection?

By the way, I would be selling the Sigma 70-200 and most likely the Canon 85mm to help finance the splurge (and the 28-75 if I went for the 24-70).

Also, I have access to the main photographer's lenses at the weddings we do together, which include the 16-35mm 2.8 L for the really wide stuff and the 100mm 2.8 macro for detail shots, so I have that area covered for now.

Any advice gratefully received!
 
:D

I've never shot at a wedding but I'm sure some wedding shooters will be along. Some people don't view during the day and may pop in and give you an answer when they get home this evening from work.
 
It was just a cheeky bump. I thought it might be because I waffled on for too long and people fell asleep. I tend to do that.
 
I'd add a stab/bullet proof vest to that lot - I worked with assistants twice, and both times ended up getting close killing them because they were more of a bally hindrance than a help!:D
 
Organnyx said:
I'd add a stab/bullet proof vest to that lot - I worked with assistants twice, and both times ended up getting close killing them because they were more of a bally hindrance than a help!:D
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Do you not tell them what you want them to do? I always tell my second shooters where to stand and what I want out of them. Usually I don't want them near me. What's the point? I can get that shot myself. I prefer them to be somewhere else to get angles I cannot.
 
No problems at any of the weddings I've shot with him so far. He's a good friend of mine who I've known for 10+ years, and we both shoot in a similar style. So the chances of requiring a stab proof vest are minimal, particularly as my feedback so far has been very good, and he has asked that I am available for all the weddings he does in future.

Anyway...I asked for gear advice, in the "talk equipment" forum, not for opinions on whether assistants should be assaulted...
 
Keep your wig on! I made a lighthearted comment, there's no need to come over all "nun who's had her bum pinched"
 
If you want an excuse... Buy the 35mm f1.4...you have most bases covered and to be honest you are second shooting so as long as you can use your current kit confidently, you don't really need anything else.

Just make sure you gain as much as you can from the paid photographer shooting the main wedding.
 
Organnyx said:
Keep your wig on! I made a lighthearted comment, there's no need to come over all "nun who's had her bum pinched"
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Haha, sorry - didn't mean to come across all bum pinchy, I meant it to be taken lightheartedly also. I suppose it touched a nerve as I've seen similar posts get shot down in flames by people with plenty of weddings under their belt looking down on us lowly second shooters. No offence intended.

If it helps, I try and stay well out of the way when the main photographer is doing his thang. I just try and keep an eye on what he's shooting and look out for moments he's missing, grab shots of the guests (who are usually well on their way to being drunk as a lord). Plus I also double up as "lighting gimp" when he's setting up the posed shots.
 
Tugster said:
If you want an excuse... Buy the 35mm f1.4...you have most bases covered and to be honest you are second shooting so as long as you can use your current kit confidently, you don't really need anything else.

Just make sure you gain as much as you can from the paid photographer shooting the main wedding.
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Thanks. I must admit I'm leaning towards the prime. Looking back at the shots I've taken from the weddings I've done so far it's a pretty even split between the 70-200 and the 50mm (groom & best men getting ready, reception etc). Then 28-75 really only came out for the "boring" shots of the guests just posing for the photos that you need to get, but aren't exactly exciting.

The 28-75 did a pretty good job to be honest, but it was hunting like hell as the evening drew on, even with the flash assist light. I suppose it's a toss up between getting a more reliable replacement to use as a workhorse, or getting a nice prime for the more pretty shots.

I know which I'd get better shots with, but I'm just a little concerned at the 28-75s focussing capabilities in low light. "Hold it right there! Errrr....hang on. Yep! Errrr, no. Hold on. FOCUS YOU *******!! Oh, you've wandered off to the bar."
 
I'm shooting a friends wedding later this year and I intend to use a 35 f2, a 50 f1.4 and an 85 f1.8 for primes and a 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8L IS II zooms. I think this should cover most bases lens wise and I'll have a 5D MkIII, 7D (or maybe a 70D/7D MkII by then) and a 650D for bodies. I might have my 100 L macro on the 650D for some ring shots and portrait shots.

As I said, it's for friends so I'll know the majority of the guests and so none of them will be a PITA when it comes to getting in the right groups etc. I also got a call yesterday to shoot another wedding in november, also for friends but I wont know many of the guests at that one so I'm not too sure I fancy doing that one.
 
modchild said:
I'm shooting a friends wedding later this year and I intend to use a 35 f2, a 50 f1.4 and an 85 f1.8 for primes and a 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8L IS II zooms. I think this should cover most bases lens wise and I'll have a 5D MkIII, 7D (or maybe a 70D/7D MkII by then) and a 650D for bodies. I might have my 100 L macro on the 650D for some ring shots and portrait shots.

is that all? ...;):D
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Pulled the trigger on the 70-200 and the Sigma 35mm, just waiting for them to arrive. I'm stiff as a board right now.
 
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