Gear Talk > Lenses

4K to spend and I don't know what to do with it!!!

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darryl:
So the money has finally come in and now its time to make some purchases.  My wife is just starting wedding photography and I'm the one that researches the gear to make wise purchases.  She has done one extremely small wedding (50 people very very laid back) and this is what we had at the time.

Canon 60D
Canon 50 f/1.4
Canon ef-s 18-135
speedlight 430 ex ii

This wedding season we have 3 weddings lined up.  I know we were lucky to get away with one body the first time through but I don't want to take that chance again and I know having a second body would be nice (dont have to change lenses 100 times).  So I'm looking to buy a second body and a lens or two and I have around 4K. 

I know that primes have the best IQ and really low f-stops which are great for weddings but considering my wife is just getting going I think quality L zooms would in the end provide the best results.

So my question is which body should I get?  And which zoom lenses should I get?

I was thinking a 5D mark II, and a 16-35mm f/2.8 II L and then some other lens.  What do you guys think?

p.s. the total doesn't have to be 4k exactly.  No more then 4.5K though.

EOBeav:
You've got your focal ranges covered, along with a 50 prime, although I have no idea what IQ you're getting with that 18-135.  Having a 2nd body at the event would be a must.

Personally, I'd go with a 7D body, and then look to boost your lighting by quite a bit. You should be able to get a couple of bigger setups along with some triggers/power for that kind of change, but that is some unexplored territory for me.

bycostello:
training...

darryl:
I just had a mini panic attack.  My last name is costello and I thought that somehow the forum got my information.  Then I just realized you prolly have the same name :)

Anyways, I'm not sure what training has to do with spending 4,000 dollars.  I'm not asking how to be a better wedding photographer but am asking what equipment I should buy.

As for EOBeav thanks for your reply.  The IQ on the 18-135 is laughable in my opinion.  I'm looking to get some L glass to help in that area.

So you think upping my lighting setup should come before new lenses?

KreutzerPhotography:
2nd the 7d suggestion... good glass is a must... I tend to shoot with tele more than WA at weddings so i would reccommend a 70-200 2.8 is II... That is what I am currently saving up for (as an upgrade from my f/4 L is). upgrading to FF without lenses to match feels like a waste of time. If you have 1 EF-s and 1 EF lens I would put your money into more glass first...

I currently run a 70-200 f/4L IS  and a 16-35 f/2.8L on crop bodies for weddings... I do miss having the medium focal length (24-70) and will look into that soon...

I guess ultimately I would get a second hand 7D ($1200-1400) a 70-200mm L IS ([f/4-$1000]-[f/2.8II-$2400]) and a 24-70mm 2.8 ($1100) totaling 4.5K or so... I bought both my L lenses on Craigs List and got a great deal... Be sure to check the glass for scratches...

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