New Lens time

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Name
Gary
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Hi,

I've be told I'm doing a couple of weddings this year for free (Mother-in-law did tell me nicely:lol:)

I have a 40D and the kit lens it well rubbish, so I'm going to replace it with something a lot better

Other lens in the bag are..

Canon 70-200M L F4
Canon 50M f1.8
Tamron 90mm

So I am after something that f2.8, 17-55 range ish......

so possible choices are the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM (probably have to grab a 2nd user one) - hired one of these at a wedding I did in April (first ever paid job) and love'd it.....

or

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM

any other to consider..and which one to get, I know the sigma cheaper, and there a tamron one that even cheaper, but considering I might get some paid work off the back of this, want to get the right lens for the job ;-)

recommendation, idea help..suggestions ;-)

GJUK
 
I'm in a similar situation. I've also been asked to do a couple of family weddings.....I was also asked nicely :) :D
My kit lens is also rubbish. I tend to use my primes to get the quality but I do miss the zoom.

I was looking to get the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8.

I'm no expert but like you, want to do the best possible job I can.
Great idea to hire out the lens if funds are an issue. I'm going to look into that

Hope someone comes on here to help/advise you. I'll be checking back on this.

Oh if only that lottery win came through! :)
 
I bought the 17-55 f2.8 canon for my 40D and have not regretted it, it is an excellent lens. I would not sell the Kit lens (take it as a back up) because such heavy and complex lenses "could" fail and if they ever did it would be sure to be at a critical moment.
That is Just my belt and braces attitude at weddings.

I once had the back come open on a Rolleiflex and lost 3 pictures, and a powerful Braun flash had a capicitor explode. That was the total of mishaps during some hundreds of weddings. But you must be prepared for the worst.
 
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If you are starting to get paid for weddings, you really, really, really need a second body as if your 40d dies on the day you could easily find yourself in trouble.

Plus make sure you have public liability as some venues will require it from any professional photographer. You would also benefit from getting some kind of contract drawn up to make sure that the B&G get what they are expecting and there are no "but you said the album was included in the cost" conversations.

It is a pain that these issues get in the way of doing what we all love - taking photographs - but it is better to be prepared from the start than regret it all later.

Good luck - and post some pictures up for us to have a look at !
 
I bought the 17-55 f2.8 canon for my 40D and have not regretted it, it is an excellent lens. I would not sell the Kit lens (take it as a back up) because such heavy and complex lenses "could" fail and if they ever did it would be sure to be at a critical moment.
That is Just my belt and braces attitude at weddings.

I once had the back come open on a Rolleiflex and lost 3 pictures, and a powerful Braun flash had a capicitor explode. That was the total of mishaps during some hundreds of weddings. But you must be prepared for the worst.

I have no spare kit yet, be a while as well, need work coming in to help pay for the new kit.....the only good thing is I have quite a few friends that have kit that I can borrow, wedding I did in April I had my mate kit in my car boot for those just in case...
 
If you are starting to get paid for weddings, you really, really, really need a second body as if your 40d dies on the day you could easily find yourself in trouble.

Plus make sure you have public liability as some venues will require it from any professional photographer. You would also benefit from getting some kind of contract drawn up to make sure that the B&G get what they are expecting and there are no "but you said the album was included in the cost" conversations.

It is a pain that these issues get in the way of doing what we all love - taking photographs - but it is better to be prepared from the start than regret it all later.

Good luck - and post some pictures up for us to have a look at !

I'min the process of sorting all my pictures out so I think I could show a few ;-)

Well long term play will be to upgrade to a 7D or even 5D if that that a big iff I can get the work in, I work in IT and that where I could probably make more income...but who knows I'm hoping to go self employed and earn from both IT and Photography....

first thing first...need a lens ;-)

Thanks for the help ;-)



GJUK
 
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