Lens Advice Needed!

Guys,
I recently sold my 400mm prime and would like to reinvest the money into something I will get a lot of use out of. I shot a few weddings and other catered affairs recently and I depend almost entirely on my 17-55 2.8. (I also have the 85mm 1.8 and the 50mm 1.4)

Popular opinion is of course the 70-200 2.8. I was just wondering if the 24-70 2.8 might be a better fit for me. Most would say you need the 70-200 for churches and similar low light venues. but is that all i get for the money?? It seems to me the 24-70 would be more useful overall. I have never shot with either and i know it will be suggested to try both. But that's not easily done. Any feedback would be welcome.

I shoot with a Canon 7D and no plans to go full frame anytime soon. thanks in advance!

(recent work here…95% of these shots are with the 17-55 2.8, 580EXii)

http://www.jerrymelillophoto.com/Chrissy-Michael/

http://www.jerrymelillophoto.com/Mauro/

As you seem to shoot weddings and groups, you don't need a long telephoto (what did you shoot with the 400, and do you miss it at all?)

Some ideas:
Ultrawide (10-18, 10-22
100mm macro (useful for ring shots, details, and when 70mm isn't quite enough)
or a wide-aperture prime like one of the Sigma f/1.4 arts (24, 35, 50), or maybe a 50mm f/1.2, or 85mm f/1.2.

Your existing lenses should give you a good idea which focal length prime you'd find most useful, if you did go that route.

I shot birds…almost exclusively with the 400…I'll miss it but Im changing to a business like approach, at least for the time being. Thanks for the feedback.
I currently own the 10-22 and 60mm macro as well.

What is it you don't like about the 17-55 for weddings etc? Is it just the reach or the quality of the shots? I honestly think (keep in mind i'm no pro) the 17-55 plus the 85 are great for weddings. The 70-200 would complement the 17-55 but by the wording it sounds like you're looking for a replacement? You won't often find much use for telephoto at a wedding though, especially if you're inside in a church and are the main photographer (right in the action).

I've got the 24-70 2.8 and the 70-200 2.8 non IS and I've done a few events and honestly I kept the 24-70 on my camera the vast majority of the time, the 70-200 was only for portraits at the end of the day etc and even then was used very sparingly

I am definitely keeping my 17-55. I am looking for another go to lens.

Glancing through the shots, I think what is missing are the personalized close-ups or ultra-wide angle captures that show the entire event. So, if you have the 10-18, I would consider occasionally using it. For the personalized close ups, on FF the classic is the 70-200 f/2.8 II. But since you plan to stay with a crop lens, you might want to consider the Sigma 50-100 f/1.8. I think a 70-200 II would work. For personalized close ups I tend to like (on FF) the 135-200 mm range. So on crop that would be ~85-125 mm.

I would also think about a prime lens. The 100 f/2.8 L macro that was already mentioned. 100 f/2? 135 f/2?

For some reference, Lensrentals has a crop wedding photographer package. Also a prime kit.

Good luck...

Personally, I find the 24-x lenses to be too long on crop to be "right". You're probably fine with the 17-55 for that range, plus you get the IS+f/2.8 combo that's still elusive for FF (perhaps there are third-party lenses that offer this...I only look at Canon and Zeiss at this point). 70-200 is a great combo, but perhaps it's worth looking at the 85/1.8, 135/2, and/or perhaps a 35/2IS or 35/1.4II.

My 2 cents.

you have 10 to 65 in three lenses and sounds like nothing longer nor anything truly low light.

I would be real tempted to the sigma 85 1.4. Gets you something 2 stops better, etc. I know everyone is concerned about focus consistency, and if you have the extra sheckles then go to the Canon 85 1.2.

The other way to go but seems doubling up on the wide end and just for low light is the sigma 20 1.4.

Do you find yourself running out of room for the shot vs. the tight portrait type shots.

If you are doing this for the $$ which way do your clients want to go? No/fewer flash or tighter portraits??

I have the 85 1.8

You might consider selling the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM and EF 85mm f/1.8 USM and investing in the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DS HSM Art. That would give you a very nice range of focal lengths with a prime-like aperture. You could use the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM for the normal range work and then switch to the Sigma to cover your longer needs.

Thank you everyone. Exactly the type of feedback I was looking for.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sean Setters

You might consider selling the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM and EF 85mm f/1.8 USM and investing in the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DS HSM Art. That would give you a very nice range of focal lengths with a prime-like aperture. You could use the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM for the normal range work and then switch to the Sigma to cover your longer needs.

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Sell the 85 1.8 and get the 50-100 and the 20 1.4. That would expand the available light/ focal length "envelope" quite significantly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sean Setters

You might consider selling the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM and EF 85mm f/1.8 USM and investing in the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DS HSM Art. That would give you a very nice range of focal lengths with a prime-like aperture. You could use the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM for the normal range work and then switch to the Sigma to cover your longer needs.

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I think that sums it up.

I covered 14 weddings in the last 3 months as second shooter.
I use the 7Dii with the 17-55 and the 85 1.2 on my 5Diii for the majority of sessions. I have a 70-300 which was great outside... but indoors...um not so much.
I alternated renting the 70-200 2.8 and the 50-100 Sigma, for the last four weddings held indoors.
I prefer the 70-200 2.8 on a full frame, but I did enjoy using the 50-100 on the 7Dii.

Since you are sticking with crop sensor-- I think the 24-70 would be a waste -- the equivalent rage is 40-112 a bit further, but huge overlap to your existing lens (27-88), and you lose IS.

As primary shooter-- Most I work for have a 24-70 and 70-200 on full frame
many have above plus select primes.
another basically used her 50 mm the whole day and I captured all the long shots.

So-- It will depend on the style you wish to deliver.
spend the money on the Sigma 50-100 1.8, or canon 70-200 2.8 .

try before you buy- rent for a weekend and give them a try.

So I went with the Sigma 50-100 1.8. I have an event this Friday. Indoor wine tasting at a very upscale hotel. Event sponsored by Cadillac. Seems like a great opportunity to break in the Sigma...I will post some shots.
Thanks again guys.

Awesome! Looking forward to the images.