Renting a Wedding Lens

[keithfullermusic]

Hello, I'm going to start another one of these things. So here goes:

I am shooting a wedding in a couple weeks and here is what I've got already.

5D3 & 50D
430EXII, YN560, and some wireless triggers
Lightstand & Umbrella
20mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.8, 100mm f/2.8, 24-70L

My question is, which other lens should I rent? I'm thinking either the 50L or the 85L.

I haven't used either one before, but I really want something to get some great shots with. Mainly for the "set" shots, because I think the others will more than suffice for the general shots (ceremony, reception, candids, etc.).

Any thoughts?

 

[Ewinter]

The 70-200 is a beaut, and is incredibly sharp as well as having lightning af and is a good porto lens. While heavy, it saves a lot of time instead of switching primes all the time. Imho, the 50l and especially the 85l are great but unless you're using them stopped down are not convenient in a hectic wedding environment. if you shot at wide open you might get back to find you've missed the focus

 

[keithfullermusic]

Believe me, I know about the 70-200. I would buy it over the other lenses I have up there in a heartbeat. However, I'm looking for a lens that gives me that wow factor because I really think I can handle everything else with what I have.

 

[wickidwombat]

85L just make sure you are prepared for its quite slow AF on 5d bodies it's not too bad if everything is at a similar distAnce but if you are changing close to far or back again it struggles

 

[charliewphotos]

I picked up the 70-200 not long ago for live music and occassional weddings. Haven't regretted it for one second, super sharp and versatile, love it. Rent it!

 

[Dylan777]

I'm not a pro wedding...but I have 4 friends(pro wedding 15yrs plus). All carry 2 FF bodies. 50L, 24-70, 70-200 f2.8 IS mrk II, 2-4 flashes and million batteries ;D

One with 35L

 

[Halfrack]

If not the 70-200 IS II, the 100L macro maybe? The question is how big is the venue - aka will you be getting close enough that you can use the 24-70 without cropping?

 

[gary]

A 70 - 200L 2.8 is ii is my go to lens and will give you great all round result especially at the set shots

 

[Loswr]

The question is how big is the venue - aka will you be getting close enough that you can use the 24-70 without cropping?

That's the key question, and in most venues, the asnwer is no. Which is why the 70-200/2.8 is getting the overwhelming majority of votes in your poll.

 

[iaind]

The question is how big is the venue - aka will you be getting close enough that you can use the 24-70 without cropping?

That's the key question, and in most venues, the asnwer is no. Which is why the 70-200/2.8 is getting the overwhelming majority of votes in your poll.

+1

 

[nightbreath]

The poll results look like something obscene:

 

[PaperTiger]

25+ weddings/year here. I'm definitely not a proponent of the 70-200L for weddings. It looks fine, but it's slow (f2.8 ) and garish when you're trying to sneak around. 85L is great. It's perfectly sharp at f1.2 if you're prepared to remove some purple fringing at times. On a crop body it's ~135 mm, so you get some good distance on a lens with f1.2. Plus at f1.2, you have the ability to remove EVERYTHING from focus behind the couple. Very handy in ugly locations. Very slow focus though. Be prepared to fall back on the centre focus point especially into the sun or when people are coming towards you.

 

[bdunbar79]

25+ weddings/year here. I'm definitely not a proponent of the 70-200L for weddings. It looks fine, but it's slow (f2.8) and garish when you're trying to sneak around. 85L is great. It's perfectly sharp at f1.2 if you're prepared to remove some purple fringing at times. On a crop body it's ~135 mm, so you get some good distance on a lens with f1.2. Plus at f1.2, you have the ability to remove EVERYTHING from focus behind the couple. Very handy in ugly locations. Very slow focus though. Be prepared to fall back on the centre focus point especially into the sun or when people are coming towards you.

I couldn't have said it better.

 

[KurtStevens]

85L is hot garbage. 70-200 is nice to have for ceremony coverage but that 85. So good.