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!

Sometimes >capture some photos to supplement the photos taken by their photographer.< is a bit of a pathway to stress.

So you might start by thinking about your role here.

And I gather it is a British wedding, and I can't offer too much help because other that Chuck and Di's and the three involving Hugh Grant, before the funeral, I don't know what's going to happen.

But imagine this; the pro is in quite close to the bride and groom and minister and wedding party, and the guests are in most situations, behind the photographer.

The photographer is shooting with wide angle, normal and short telephoto lenses.

So if you're close to the action, perhaps you will be in the way.

But what if you rent a 70-200 f2.8 lens, and perhaps a monopod, and you stay in the back?

You can wander around freely, you can look for the grandparents and get shots of them, you can go up into the church balcony and shoot down during the ceremony, and you can shoot over the heads of the guests, perhaps standing on a chair. (you, not the guests)

I used to be a professional photographer of Canadian weddings, and Anglican ones were often a pain, because the rules were strick. (A French-Canadian Roman Catholic wedding was a free for all, and lots of fun to shoot, in contrast)

The last wedding I shot was for friends, and at one point in the late afternoon, outside, I done the required shots and I sat down on a chair set up for the ceremony, put a long lens on the camera, and just pivoted around for a while shooting guests talking to each other, kids climbing a garden wall, and more. All from a distance.

Just something to think about.

BAK

Thank you for your advice. I really appreciate it. I hadn't given much thought to a prime lens (or two), though my brother in law lent me his 85mm prime lens recently which is great (though I've not had time to indulge in full). The prime lens is definitely worth consideration.

I have an additional motive for the zoom in that I don't really carry a good portrait lens, not a standard zoom anyway. I've managed photographing my family (inc. kids) and other events with a 50mm prime and a 70-300mm IS USM, but have an interest in purchasing (longer term) a decent lens that I can use for family pictures before my kids get too old. I don't carry any L Series Lenses. And so I was interested in hiring something that in the longer term I might consider purchasing.

That said, the 24-70mm F2.8 || USM is a little out of my budget, hence my question about the first version of the lens. I need to appreciate the enhancements that come with the second version of the lens so thought I'd ask before researching. I should acquaint myself with a browser as well as seeking answers in a forum.

Thanks for your help. I'll give the primes further consideration.

ButtersUK

diness wrote:

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.

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?

Fully compatible, yes, no worries there. I doubt if you would see much difference between the 24-70/2.8 II and the original version, or even a more modest lens, with your 400D's 10MP sensor, especially if you have to bump up the ISO speed. Also a big heavy lens like the 24-70/2.8 (it's over 800 g) handles best with a larger, heavier body so you may not get a true impression of the lens wrt your future purchase.

I tend to agree with BAK that a longer lens like the 70-200/2.8 might be better suited to your role. It would be no good for groups but then will you be shooting groups? Do you have a decent quality standard zoom which you could have with you in case you need it?