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

[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...

[KreutzerPhotography]

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?

a good 430ex II should be fine as far as flash goes... I guess another flash couldnt hurt (backup purposes)... Since you have a 430 already glass would be my next step!

[nitsujwalker]

You could consider the 5d2 and maybe the 70-200 f2.8

[Astro]

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

http://www.brot-fuer-die-welt.de/english/index.php

[AJ]

I was thinking a 5D mark II, and a 16-35mm f/2.8 II L and then some other lens.

Don't get the 16-35 for now.  It's a specialty lens.

I suggest 5D mk2, 24-105/4L kit lens, and a 580 EX flash.  You could pocket the rest of the money, splurge on a 70-200/2.8L IS mk2, or compromise and look for a used 70-200/2.8L IS mk1.

[scotthillphoto]

Personally it all depends on the style of shooting you are doing, since I come from a sports background my set up is a 7D and 5Diii both have a great autofocus system and that's a big key for me. If you don't need that then I would go for the 5Dii its a great body and the noise performance is better than that of the 7D, but the focus system and FPS is not as good.... As for glass I would get the cheaper 70-200 2.8 non IS, you save about a grand and as long as you keep a higher shutter speed you won't need it... I wouldn't get the 16-35 its too wide to use 9 times out of 10, but it is nice for those specialty shots, but you can use you 18-135 if you need to... but until I just recently upgraded I shot with a 30 1.4 on my 50D and a 70-200 on my 7D... That is a great set up and doesn't require a ton of money, but I have money invested in other strobes and stuff.... But the main thing you need is some good fast glass....

[D_Rochat]

Don't get the 16-35 for now.  It's a specialty lens.

Agreed. Maybe in the future, but 24mm will be wide enough on a full frame if you get a 5D mark II.

What I would do is consider selling the 60D with your lenses and talking to a local store about bundling a 5D mark II with a 24-70 and pick up a used 550D (same sensor as the 60D) for a back-up. A 5D body with a used lens is something to consider to save.

I would look into a 70-200 as well. Ideally, you'd want the 2.8 IS ver II (amazing lens), but a non IS or IS ver I is also something to consider.

You could stretch your money further if you buy all used, but I would want the 5D II with a 24-200 focal range and a rebel back-up to start. I think the 430 ex II is fine for now and revisit upgrading after a few more weddings.

[Drizzt321]

I'd probably go with the 7D (better AF than 5d2, although not as good high ISO). If you really want a FF body, the 5d2 is great, but once I got the 5d3 the AF blew me away compared to the 5d2 (important for a wedding), and the high ISO is a good bit better (quality of noise especially) than the 5d2. It's an expensive upgrade, $3500 just for the body and you can't use the EF-S lens on it. If you can push it, the extra $300 for the kit with the 24-105 is a good deal, as it's a very nice & versatile lens. It is only f/4, but with the 5d3 you can make it work fine.

As KreutzerPhotography said, putting your money into good glass, and maybe the 7D is a better way to go. If she wants to go up to the 5d2/5d3 at some time, I'd avoid EF-S lenses, and stick with EF for now. For used lenses, CL can be good (careful to check the glass, including the looking through to make sure there's no fungus), or keh.com I've heard is good as well.

[mdm041]

The 7d high iso noise won't be odeal for indoor wedding photography IMHO.  It will be no better than your 60d. Go with the 5d mkii or mkiii and the 24-70 f2.8 is a great walk around wedding lens.  If you want some more reach then go for the 70-200 f/2.8...pick a version depending on how much money you have left. 

I agree the 16-35 isn't useful enough to add to your kit just yet. 

Another idea that was mentioned above was to add some flashes, radios  and some tall flash stands.  Take that with an off camera flash bracket and you could get away with a 7d perhaps.  You would also need to grab a few flash battery backs as well.  But you might spend so much on flashes and radios that you might not have enough for a lens.

[preppyak]

What I would do is consider selling the 60D with your lenses and talking to a local store about bundling a 5D mark II with a 24-70 and pick up a used 550D (same sensor as the 60D) for a back-up. A 5D body with a used lens is something to consider to save.

I'm not sure the turnaround on that conversion is really worth the, what, $200 you'll get from it. The 550D body feels like crap in your hand; which is a big deal if you'll be holding it for several hours at a time. Then we can talk about battery life (nearly 3x as long with the 60D and the compatibility of 60D batteries with the 5D and 7D), how easy the controls are to work (much easier on a 60D, though not as good as the 5D/7D); not to mention AF and burst rate. There are other smaller things; but the ones listed above are reason enough not to downgrade.

I'd sell the 18-135 ($200), unless you see yourself using it for travel, etc. Then get yourself a 5DmarkII to complement your 60D ($1500 through Canon Loyalty Program)...then I'd consider where you are shooting those 3 weddings. If they are outdoor weddings, I'd get the 70-200 f/4 IS and mount on the 60D($1000ish used), and a 24-70 f/2.8 ($1000). If they are indoor weddings, then you want to go more primes for low-light handling. Either way, you should have leftover money for another flash, even if it's another 430ex.

Lots of ways you could go...but, Id say going the full-frame low-light handling route would be the most ideal to complement the 60D. And going 5DII over 5DIII allows you a lot more room for new glass. Then maybe next wedding season you'll upgrade the 60D to something else

[preppyak]

Also, in terms of places to shop for equipment, I've had good luck on FredMiranda.