Canon 24-70 2.8 II or Canon 35 1.4 II as a Wedding/Event Photographer

ahson · Jan 15, 2016

Hello! I am an event/wedding photographer and deciding which lens will be more critical as my budget will only allow me to buy either one of the lens at this time. The 35/1.4 will be a great addition to my arsenal as you see my current setup doesn't have anything larger than 2.8 aperture. I could see myself using the 35/1.4 wide open in an indoor situation with the bride and also some portraits. On the other hand, 24-70/2.8 surely gives me the range but it doesn't provide the same degree of 3D pop, bokeh as the 35 when doing portraiture. Would like to hear your comments and suggestions.

My current gear: 6D, 40/2.8, 24-105/4, 70-200 2.8 II.

--
Wilson Ho Photography
Website | Facebook

diness · Jan 15, 2016

ahson said:
Hello! I am an event/wedding photographer and deciding which lens will be more critical as my budget will only allow me to buy either one of the lens at this time. The 35/1.4 will be a great addition to my arsenal as you see my current setup doesn't have anything larger than 2.8 aperture. I could see myself using the 35/1.4 wide open in an indoor situation with the bride and also some portraits. On the other hand, 24-70/2.8 surely gives me the range but it doesn't provide the same degree of 3D pop, bokeh as the 35 when doing portraiture. Would like to hear your comments and suggestions.

My current gear: 6D, 40/2.8, 24-105/4, 70-200 2.8 II.

ahson · Jan 15, 2016

diness said:
diness said:

Hello! I am an event/wedding photographer and deciding which lens will be more critical as my budget will only allow me to buy either one of the lens at this time. The 35/1.4 will be a great addition to my arsenal as you see my current setup doesn't have anything larger than 2.8 aperture. I could see myself using the 35/1.4 wide open in an indoor situation with the bride and also some portraits. On the other hand, 24-70/2.8 surely gives me the range but it doesn't provide the same degree of 3D pop, bokeh as the 35 when doing portraiture. Would like to hear your comments and suggestions.

My current gear: 6D, 40/2.8, 24-105/4, 70-200 2.8 II.

Click to expand...

RogerZoul · Jan 15, 2016

ahson said:
Hello! I am an event/wedding photographer and deciding which lens will be more critical as my budget will only allow me to buy either one of the lens at this time. The 35/1.4 will be a great addition to my arsenal as you see my current setup doesn't have anything larger than 2.8 aperture. I could see myself using the 35/1.4 wide open in an indoor situation with the bride and also some portraits. On the other hand, 24-70/2.8 surely gives me the range but it doesn't provide the same degree of 3D pop, bokeh as the 35 when doing portraiture. Would like to hear your comments and suggestions.

My current gear: 6D, 40/2.8, 24-105/4, 70-200 2.8 II.

hotdog321 · Jan 15, 2016

First, I hope you have a second camera body. If you don't, get that first.

It sounds like you really want the 35mm and maybe that is what will make you happiest. But the 24-70 f/2.8L II would make an incredible workhorse replacement to the kit 24-105. I find it a near-ideal lens for parties, galas, events and whatnot.

BAK · Jan 15, 2016

Are your clients complaining about the sharpness of your photos taken with the 24 - 105 when it is set at focal lengths less than 70mm?

That would be a good reason for buying a 24 - 70 when you already have a 24 - 105.

And what's the benefit of 35mm f1.4 compared to 35 mm f2?

You could buy an extra flash gun with the money you save.

I visited your web site.

There did not seem to be guests at the weddings, but there were some good photos taken with the equipment you have.

BAK

J A C S · Jan 15, 2016

The 35II would be tricky to focus with the 6D wide open with people moving a bit and not exactly posing but it is still possible.

Fog Maker · Jan 16, 2016

ahson said:
Hello! I am an event/wedding photographer and deciding which lens will be more critical as my budget will only allow me to buy either one of the lens at this time. The 35/1.4 will be a great addition to my arsenal as you see my current setup doesn't have anything larger than 2.8 aperture. I could see myself using the 35/1.4 wide open in an indoor situation with the bride and also some portraits. On the other hand, 24-70/2.8 surely gives me the range but it doesn't provide the same degree of 3D pop, bokeh as the 35 when doing portraiture. Would like to hear your comments and suggestions.

My current gear: 6D, 40/2.8, 24-105/4, 70-200 2.8 II.

--
Wilson Ho Photography
Website | Facebook

The 35mm is not a good lens for portraiture.

Get the 24-70 2.8 II and build from there.

(If you want something that is real great for portraiture, you

can add the 85mm 1.2L II later, which is also versatile enough to serve

other purposes during a wedding, due to its focal length, or the 135 mm 2.0 L)

J A C S · Jan 16, 2016

Fog Maker said:
ahson said:

Hello! I am an event/wedding photographer and deciding which lens will be more critical as my budget will only allow me to buy either one of the lens at this time. The 35/1.4 will be a great addition to my arsenal as you see my current setup doesn't have anything larger than 2.8 aperture. I could see myself using the 35/1.4 wide open in an indoor situation with the bride and also some portraits. On the other hand, 24-70/2.8 surely gives me the range but it doesn't provide the same degree of 3D pop, bokeh as the 35 when doing portraiture. Would like to hear your comments and suggestions.

My current gear: 6D, 40/2.8, 24-105/4, 70-200 2.8 II.

--
Wilson Ho Photography
Website | Facebook

Click to expand...

The 35mm is not a good lens for portraiture.

Nothing wrong with 35mm for weddings. Search for "35mm lens for weddings".

Fog Maker · Jan 16, 2016

J A C S said:
Fog Maker said:

ahson said:

Hello! I am an event/wedding photographer and deciding which lens will be more critical as my budget will only allow me to buy either one of the lens at this time. The 35/1.4 will be a great addition to my arsenal as you see my current setup doesn't have anything larger than 2.8 aperture. I could see myself using the 35/1.4 wide open in an indoor situation with the bride and also some portraits. On the other hand, 24-70/2.8 surely gives me the range but it doesn't provide the same degree of 3D pop, bokeh as the 35 when doing portraiture. Would like to hear your comments and suggestions.

My current gear: 6D, 40/2.8, 24-105/4, 70-200 2.8 II.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Dave Jaseck · Jan 16, 2016

My son in laws, son, married this year and as a gift, I offered to do a show of the wedding if I had access to the photographers files. The photographer graciously let me use the files and I did this show "We're In This Love Together". A lot of the photographs were shot at 2.8 and while I have a 24 to 105 which I have said in the past, if I had to, I could shoot the entire wedding with just this one lens. I was impressed with the quality of the shots. This is a no brainer...go for the 24 to 70! If you would like to view the show which is 16 minutes long, here is the link. View at full screen with sound on:

Michael Thomas Mitchell · Jan 16, 2016

ahson said:
Hello! I am an event/wedding photographer and deciding which lens will be more critical as my budget will only allow me to buy either one of the lens at this time. The 35/1.4 will be a great addition to my arsenal as you see my current setup doesn't have anything larger than 2.8 aperture. I could see myself using the 35/1.4 wide open in an indoor situation with the bride and also some portraits. On the other hand, 24-70/2.8 surely gives me the range but it doesn't provide the same degree of 3D pop, bokeh as the 35 when doing portraiture. Would like to hear your comments and suggestions.

My current gear: 6D, 40/2.8, 24-105/4, 70-200 2.8 II.

It seems like you are reaching for objective input on a matter completely subjective to your own needs and style.

Your concerns seem to address image quality first and foremost. I can't imagine any current Canon L class lens that would not provide you with good IQ. If you are a fan of wide apertures, then surely the 24-105 L would not be your first choice. But I would question the notion of the 35L delivering substantially more "3D pop and bokeh" than the much-lauded 24-70 II L. And, it would seem to me that you would be losing quite a bit of the wide end (which can be essential for some wedding shots) by going with the 35 prime, unless you end up right back with the 24-105 L alongside it. Meanwhile, the 24-70 L still gives you a respectable f2.8 while still maintaining a bit of versatility.

It is probably prudent for you to secure a second body at some point soon. I cannot imagine going to shoot a wedding without proper backup. If things fail (and they do, especially with 1000+ shot plus wedding days), you'd be up the creek if nearly any part of your kit fails. Photographers are frequently sued when they do not deliver, whatever the reason. If I were in your same shoes, I'd be looking at an inexpensive used second body BEFORE I looked at expensive alternative lenses.

Best of luck

Old Greenlander · Jan 18, 2016

Ahson

for official pictures ( static ) you can use a prime

For candid pictures at the party you need a zoom lens

The Mad Kiwi · Jan 18, 2016

I'd get another body before I bought a new lens. If you've got 2 bodies get the 35, you could do with something fast.

meland · Jan 19, 2016

A tough choice.

But as you already have the 24-105 I'd be inclined to go with the 35/1.4 to give yourself a different outlook, unless you work a lot by available light and therefore the extra stop of the 24-70/2.8 might make it more useful more of the time.

This guy is probably the best wedding photographer I have ever met. Some inspiration there perhaps?

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/gallery/jeff_ascough.do

ahson · Jan 19, 2016

FYI I have couple other bodies to use which we all share together as a team. So yes thanks for the concern, I have another body alongside my own 6D to work.

meland · Jan 19, 2016

ahson said:
FYI I have couple other bodies to use which we all share together as a team. So yes thanks for the concern, I have another body alongside my own 6D to work.

Are you replying to me?

ahson · Jan 19, 2016

meland said:
ahson said:

FYI I have couple other bodies to use which we all share together as a team. So yes thanks for the concern, I have another body alongside my own 6D to work.

Click to expand...

Are you replying to me?

To anyone who's in this post in general. Not you specified, or else I'll reply with quote.

andyus08 · Jan 20, 2016

I shoot wedding. For me, 24-70 L II is a must in my bag for wedding event. I used to own 35 L (original version) and then sold it to fund for 24-70 L II and never regret. However, I will get 35L II soon as I sometimes need it along with 70-200 L II when shooting in the dark environment and where flash not permitted.

Aky · Jan 21, 2016

I would buy 35 1.4 now and 24 70 2.8 when Is version is out.

Canon 24-70 2.8 II or Canon 35 1.4 II as a Wedding/Event Photographer

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