Lens choice help!

[Goshdern]

I was asked to move this thread to this forum to get more replys. I have also changed my setup since my other post, after more research and asking myself why I am doing this (to get the best IQ possible without compromise).

Can anyone poke any holes in my setup? I am not the photographer (wife is) but she doesn't have alot of experience with glass.

Small background: She does alot of senior photos; so outside during the day. We are setting up an 11k watt lighting studio at home in our pole shed for the backdrop (and chroma key) shots. Also some weddings and general family stuff. All people/pets no action.

She did 35mm for years, but I got her into digital (kicking and screaming) when the 40D was new. Then when our lens had issues (and Best Buy took weeks to fix it) we purchased a 7D. She was a little surprised to see her automatic modes missing hehe but now that we know ALOT more about DSLR photography I am willing to upgrade her equipment again.

That brings me to the question. You know I have a 7D and we have zero good glass (just a 28-135mm kit lens).

My research leads me to believe the following but I am asking for help to make sure I am not going offroad here.

5d mkii body
70-200 2.8L IS II
85 1.2L II
24 1.4L II

Would that give her good coverage indoor and outdoor on 1.6 and ff cameras? From what I read these are spectacular lenses. The 24 is in there for group shots.

Thanks for your time and thoughtful responses on my lens selection issues

 

[tirediron]

I'm not a Canon shooter, so I can't comment on specific performance, but that's a LOT of money to spend on glass; my feeling is that an 85 1.4 or 1.8, and a good ~24-70 fast zoom would be a much more versatile set-up.

 

[Robin Usagani]

i would switch out 24 with 35

 

[Goshdern]

@Schwettylens
Why would you recommend the 24 to 35? It helps me to decide. Wife really really REALLY wants a wide angle to get everyone in a group in focus at the same time. I'm not doubting, just asking why that is a better choice in your experience.

@tirediron
Everyone always says there is a reason those L lenses cost more... and their performance test results and reviews suggest they are the highest quality in those focal lenghts... unless I am mistaken, if so please point out where I am wrong. I am trying to get lenses I wont ever have to replace because they are the best you can have at those focal lengths.

BUT most importantly I want to make sure if I am spending that kind of money I get the right 3 lenses considering my 7D-5Dmkii combo (1.6-FF). Ultimately that is my question... am I getting the right focal lengths for indoor and outdoor portrait work.

Thank you very much for the responses btw.

 

[Stryker]

Wow!!! Terrific lenses you have there. I would go for another EF 24-70 as suggested by tirediron so you dont have to keep changing lenses especially when outdoors. You can also use that with your 5D

 

[Robin Usagani]

Because 35mm f/1.4L is pretty much the #1 favorite lens in the wedding industry. The angle is about right, you can do a lot of creative angles without too much distortion, thin DOF.

 

[Goshdern]

Once again I hope nobody thinks I am arguing with people who know more then me..

I was under the impression primes are always the highest quality (I understand EVERYONE swears by the 70-200... that's why it's on the list first). I think she is going to keep both cameras close (buying her a speed roller so she better!) so shouldn't be much changing lenses, unless once again I don't know what I'm talking about.

Please, by all means continue.

 

[Juice]

I have the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II and I swear by it.

 

[nick_cool]

I would go with the "24 1.4L II" but not with the other.

I found the zoom overlapped with the current one, and the 85mm useless for me at least.

 

[Goshdern]

OK after these responses and further research I am going with the above and the 35mm f1.4L instead of the 24mm.

Basically it will give the 5D the wide angles she wants for groups without the distortions, like you mentioned, and allow me to basically have a 50mm equivalent on the 7D (well close to 35mm).

I had not ever heard of the "holy trinity" prior to you mentioning that I look into the 35mm and that was enough to tell me you are right on that lens.

Once again thanks for the input. (if you think I'm spending alot on glass for my wife wait till I post a pic of my $5k editing machine I am building /rofl... she can't get all the new equipment right?!!?oNE!!!?)

 

[Ginu]

Well I love primes and I love zoom, however personally if I had that kind of cash I would definitely get a 24-70 2.8 as a main walk around multipurpose lens and of-course the 70-200 f2.8 is a must have

While prime lens are sharp and fast they are also dedicated lens for specific applications and thats why I would go with a 16-35 f2.8, 24-70 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8 and then work on some primes. There is nothing more annoying than trying to switch lens and missing shots due to fiddling around with equipment, bags, caps, accessories and so on...

Most usable zoom range will be either wide or mid telephoto and I'm willing to bet it would be the 24-70 f2.8. Its true wedding photographers do use a 35mm lens but they also carry around two cameras which allow the utility and versatility... Not to mention the cameras are on their shoulders at all times and lets face it, regardless on how great the carry bag might be, were still talking about a ton of heavy gear for a lady. Seems a bit much to me due to the fact my wife is young and extremely fit, she would have troubles carrying that much gear around, mind you she is about 100lb.

Just my 2cents

 

[Goshdern]

Yes, but her preferance is prime quality over zoom utility. The 70-200 is our first choice because EVERYONE says it is the exception to the prime/zoom IQ relationship.

She is the first person at each shoot to be rolling in the dirt I can assure you (how can you get the subject to lose themselves if you can't right?)!

I am stoked; I think I picked 3 great lenses for her!

Stop killing my joy /rofl

Now I just wonder in practice which lenses will end up on which cameras the most. She will be using the 5dmkii AND 7d at shoots to prevent very much lens swapping. And that leaves us with one more lens so I don't think swapping will be that time consuming.

Wife doesn't do much "walking around" like most photog's. She goes on a mission then rushes back to edit them the rest of the night.

 

[andynrach]

My suggestion would be if you are going to make such a significant investment in glass, try renting the 70-200, etc. and see what you think. I don't shoot canon, I shoot Nikon, but I can tell you that the Nikkor 70-200 is a pretty heavy lens. Let your wife get a feel for the lenses. Nothing worse then making a huge investment and then hating it because you get a muscle cramp every time you use it. Renting costs money, for sure, but it could save you a lot of headache in the future.

 

[traylorc]

Andynrach makes a good point. I'm a big guy, lift weights regularly, and consider myself to be in good shape. Before purchasing the Nikon 70-200mm i read numerous comments about how heavy the lens is. I shrugged all those comments off. I was stoked after receiving the lens, and promptly made plans to go out and spend a day shooting with my new toy. after carrying around the 70-200mm for a couple of hours, I was definitely feeling it. Don't get me wrong, it's a great lens. But don't underestimate the weight...it will put a hurting on you after carrying it around for while.