wedding lens help

Mark-Anthony

Mark-Anthony

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Hi All

I'm after some advice!

I've been looking for a while at different lenses. So far I've sold (Nikon body)

55-300 vr
10.5 fisheye
18-70

And bought

17-55 2.8
Sigma 30mm f1.4

apart from these two lenses, my kit bag now has

60mm 2.8 micro
sigma 10-20

I've been looking at getting the sigma 70-200 2.8 and debating selling the 10-20

What do people think to this? Would I have enough lenses to cover my mates wedding and others?
 
Swapping the 10-20 for a 70-200 is a great move, but if you are covering weddings there are some other things you should consider. For instance, what would you do if your body broke down on the day?
 
I've got two bodies paul, so hopefully that won't happen (fingers crossed)

I'm trying to think long run though as I know I hardly use my 10-20 at the minute. The 70-200 however, will also come in handy for new york when I return
 
You've got 17-20 covered with the 17-50. 10-16 is pretty wide-angle and is also a pretty narrow range. A 70-200 will be much more useful. Your current 60mm barely puts you in the portrait range.
 
Ah yeah, I see what you mean. Good point! I think I'll get some photos up tomorrow and see what interest is about when I price to sell.
 
Off topic Mark, but I recognised your name from the rovertech club, haha. You had a nice coupe back then.
 
Paul Griffin said:
Swapping the 10-20 for a 70-200 is a great move, but if you are covering weddings there are some other things you should consider. For instance, what would you do if your body broke down on the day?
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Just to add, a lens failure is also going to happen one day. What's the redundancy plan?
 
minnnt said:
That's a heavy bag right there...
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It's a nightmare David.
I use the old 'camera bra' with a 17-55 on one body and 'something else' on the other, sometimes I leave flashguns on them. It means the bag with the spares isn't too heavy though. If the 70-200 is on the 2nd body, the bag contains the 10-22 and a fast prime (which one would depend on whichever other lens the Mrs fancied).

It's why I need to shed a few pounds before the weddings start.

The macro comes to prep for the rings then goes back in the car.
 
if you want to keep your friend might I suggest that your friend gets an existing Pro to to cover it and ask if you can be second shooter?
 
Ravinder said:
Off topic Mark, but I recognised your name from the rovertech club, haha. You had a nice coupe back then.
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Haha, yeah that was me. Silver coupe with leather and mg straights. I was a fool to sell that! :wave:

CHPhotography said:
70-200 is a good choice. Great lens to have in your bag for weddings. I've got Sigma 70-200 OS and although it weighs a bit, I can't put it down during the wedding reception.
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So in your opinion, it's definitely worth purchasing

shreds said:
if you want to keep your friend might I suggest that your friend gets an existing Pro to to cover it and ask if you can be second shooter?
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he's got a pro for the day, I'm covering night shots as it's a summer wedding so late night sky. I'm not a complete amateur, I've got a fair amount of weddings under my belt but after changing lenses, I need recommendation on one more.
 
Little_duke said:
if I had all 4 lenses fail, I'd be very unlucky. Fingers crossed, that never happens to anyone
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That's not quite the point!
An UWA isn't a substitute for a tele. etc.
I'm sure you have a plan, though your answer does suggest you didn't understand the question.
 
If you're 70-200 dies on you, a simple relatively inexpensive 85mm isn't a bad option to keep in the bag.
 
Little_duke said:
So in your opinion, it's definitely worth purchasing
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I wouldn't do a wedding without mine. It's a very useful lens. The 17-55 is a lens you should think about doubling up on though or have an alternative. I had mine fail in August during bridal prep. Lucky I carry a backup lens. It would be a challenge without that main piece of kit.
 
minnnt said:
I'm glad i just play at photography. :D

I can see why people shoot weddings with 2 bodies and 2 primes.
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the 35mm and 85mm, one on each is a great combination.

Always have the Nikon holy trinity for back up in the car though !!
 
Blank_Canvas said:
the 35mm and 85mm, one on each is a great combination.

Always have the Nikon holy trinity for back up in the car though !!
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Pretty much the same as me, but at the minute I'm portfolio building with no pressure.

The thought of lenses going down on me and having no back up would scare the life out of me :eek:
 
I'm a 35/85 on two bodies guy and I've recently acquired a 70-200 as well.

I've always just shot with the two primes so that allowed me to be able to chuck the big bag with batteries, cards, spare body ect behind reception desk or somewhere safe-ish and just visit it occasionally once or twice throughout the day when the need arose.

Now I've gotta think about how I'm gonna carry this beast of a 70-200 around as well for the times I'll need to swap out one of the primes. Not keen on the idea of a bag on my shoulder all the time.

Mo' gear, mo' problems.
 
On previous weddings, I used two bodies. One with a sigma 18-50 2.8 and the other with a sigma 50 1.4. Good outcome, although I always wanted a bit more. Definitely thinking of selling the 10-20 now. Thanks for everyone's input.
 
Little_duke said:
On previous weddings, I used two bodies. One with a sigma 18-50 2.8 and the other with a sigma 50 1.4. Good outcome, although I always wanted a bit more. Definitely thinking of selling the 10-20 now. Thanks for everyone's input.
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And when you have to shoot large groups in small spaces...
 
danny_bhoy said:
Attached to two gripped bodies with flashes its a real workout mate. The dual harness is a lifesaver.....even if it does resemble bondage gear :)
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Drop the grips Danny, I used to think they were a godsend, now I just look at the extra weight and think 'who needs that?'
 
I used one cos i thought i looked pro... The pics on the lcd said otherwise. :LOL:

I'd go 35 1.8 and 85 1.8 un gripped... But tbh i'd rather be laid on the settee with an easter egg or a tub of ice cream. :D
 
Phil V said:
Drop the grips Danny, I used to think they were a godsend, now I just look at the extra weight and think 'who needs that?'
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Been thinking about that actually Phil. But at the same time, as a rookie, not having to change batteries throughout the day is just one less thing to think about (which is really the only reason I'm sticking with them).
 
danny_bhoy said:
Been thinking about that actually Phil. But at the same time, as a rookie, not having to change batteries throughout the day is just one less thing to think about (which is really the only reason I'm sticking with them).
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What cameras are you using? Decent batteries last me all day, sometimes they're down to 1 bar and I swap them for the evening, but that's not an onerous task if planned for, there's usually plenty of time around 7.
 
Phil V said:
What cameras are you using? Decent batteries last me all day, sometimes they're down to 1 bar and I swap them for the evening, but that's not an onerous task if planned for, there's usually plenty of time around 7.
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The 5dmk2 shouldn't be an issue but I've found that the mk1 chomps through the batteries at quite a rate.

Think the grips are a bit of a safety blanket more than anything. Might leave them in the car during this Friday's wedding :)
 
Little_duke said:
On previous weddings, I used two bodies. One with a sigma 18-50 2.8 and the other with a sigma 50 1.4. Good outcome, although I always wanted a bit more. Definitely thinking of selling the 10-20 now. Thanks for everyone's input.
Click to expand...
Just to put a fly in the ointment, but you can get some great group shots with a UWA, both of the full group and smaller groups using the perspective to your advantage!

I'll always gather the bridesmaids around me in a semi circle and get low, always ends up a fun, memorable image :)

Granted, it's a low use lens for the day, but definitely worth having!
 
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