Canon EF 24-70mm F2.8 L II USM - Rent for a wedding

ButtersUK wrote:

Hi Everyone,

My brother in law is getting married in October and has asked that I, along with a few other guests, capture some photos to supplement the photos taken by their photographer.

I'm therefore looking at hiring a lens. Whilst I this not a requirement I'm also using as an opportunity to give a lens a try. I've read that the Canon EF 24-70mm F2.8 L II USM (or first version) would be good.

I think the wide aperture will help in the darker parts of the day too (given it's an October wedding). I'm also considering taking my 70-300mm IS lens though I'd hope not to use it much. I'll also keep my mid range flash on the body through out the day.

So to my question. Is this the best lens for a weddding? Will I or the bride/groom be able to see the difference between the II or I version of the 24-70mm lens (i.e. will the first version of this lens be adequate?).

Is there a better lens and if so what is it?

Finally, my body is inexpensive. I carry a Canon 400D (Rebel in the US I think), so it's not like I'm carrying a body with a full frame sensor. I presume the lens is completely compatible?

Yes, it's compatible (although it is a wide/normal lens on full frame and a little more of a normal/mid tele on a crop camera)

Any advice on this would be appreciated.

Regards

ButtersUK

First of all, it's a fantastic lens.  Super sharp and it is a pretty standard wedding lens along with the 70-200 2.8.  Most often wedding photogs would use this combo on a full frame camera though.

the 24-70 would do a great job on your camera, but if I were you I would at least consider a different route..

Because there is a professional photographer and multiple other photographers, you do not need to worry about missing the important shots (this is one of the reasons pros often carry these two zooms because you can't miss a shot as the main photographer).

Because you don't need to worry about missing a shot, I would try and make your shots stand out by carrying two primes with you.  You could use a 35 f2 IS and an 85mm 1.8 or carry a 35mm 1.4 and a 135L or something like that.  If you use these two lenses correctly, you will be able to get some incredible shots that you can't get with a 2.8 zoom.  And because there's other photographers, you won't need to worry about missing a shot because they'll cover it anyway.

Consider that thought at least, but the 24-70 would do great.

I totally agree with this line of thinking. Shoot the candid moments with a couple of primes and you will get shots that the wedding photographers won't be able to get with their f2.8 zooms. Those lenses are great for the official wedding photographer. But for you, the prime lenses would work wonders. I wouldn't carry more than two though. The FL is totally up to you, of course. Have fun!