lens suggestions: catching brides walking in ?

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

12/03/2008 10:26:37 PM · #1

Hi,

Just looking for lens suggestions for a crop factor body.

I'd love to catch brides with a 5D2 & 85mm 1.8, but that's a dream for the future.

Right now I'm having trouble on my Canon 40D.

the 24-105L f4.0 IS is too slow

the 50mm f1.4 has a focus motor that seems to track badly (does fine for static shots)

I'm presently thinking of the Canon 35mm f2.0, but I know that's an old focusing motor. Anyone have experience with this lens & catching brides walking in.

What do you use to catch brides coming into a church in low light and a crop factor body?

Thanks.

Tez

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

12/04/2008 01:37:35 AM · #2

i use the 85mm f/1.8 but it will mean you're pretty far away.

If money is an issue, the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 is a great all round lens that won't break the bank and focusses well enough to get the shot. If you have the money get the Canon 27-70 or the 16-35 for a wider view.

The 35mm f/2 would do the job as well and for a decent price.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

12/04/2008 02:37:44 AM · #3

I've had no tracking issues with my 50mm 1.4, perhaps yours has a problem.

Certainly better than the 50mm f1.8 or the 35mm f2.

Message edited by author 2008-12-04 02:41:29.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

12/04/2008 09:31:23 AM · #4

Originally posted by Tez:

If you have the money get the Canon 27-70 or the 16-35 for a wider view.

as in the Canon 24-70L?
would f2.8 be enough for 1600 ISO? I'm thinking that's only one stop more than the f4.0 I presently have...

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

I've had no tracking issues with my 50mm 1.4, perhaps yours has a problem.

Maybe. It seems tack sharp for still photos though. I hear it has a bad rep for breaking & that the motor is not the best...

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Certainly better than the... 35mm f2.

doesn't sound the best for the 35mm then, but I did hear the opp. though from another photog. Were you using it for tracking in dim light?

Thanks

Jessi

Mamiya 645Pro TL

Mamiya 80mm f/2.8

12/04/2008 09:37:31 AM · #5

Originally posted by Medoomi:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I've had no tracking issues with my 50mm 1.4, perhaps yours has a problem.

Maybe. It seems tack sharp for still photos though. I hear it has a bad rep for breaking & that the motor is not the best...

I have a friend who has that lens, and his focus goes on the fritz rather a lot. He usually focuses manually...

Spork99

OM System OM-1

12/04/2008 09:41:30 AM · #6

Originally posted by Medoomi:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Certainly better than the... 35mm f2.

doesn't sound the best for the 35mm then, but I did hear the opp. though from another photog. Were you using it for tracking in dim light?

Thanks

Yes. In a bar/restaurant. Camera on AI Servo lens @f2. I think ISO 800 and 1/30sec.

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

12/04/2008 09:51:44 AM · #7

OK. Can't expect too much from a throw-around lens (cheap build) I suppose.
Doesn't leave many economical options though... :-(
(can't mess with a bride's pictures :-) )

Message edited by author 2008-12-04 09:52:39.

Mephisto

Nikon Coolpix A

12/04/2008 10:05:05 AM · #8

double post. see below.

Message edited by author 2008-12-04 10:09:31.

Mephisto

Nikon Coolpix A

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

12/04/2008 10:08:59 AM · #9

Originally posted by Mephisto:

how about these, they all have usm/hsm:

canon 35 1.4 L usm
sigma 30 1.4 hsm
sigma 50 1.4 hsm

i only had the two sigmas in my hands yet and they worked- and focused- like a charme on my fuji. can't speak for the canon mount versions though...

12/04/2008 10:31:19 AM · #10

Originally posted by Mephisto:

Originally posted by Mephisto:
how about these, they all have usm/hsm:

canon 35 1.4 L usm
sigma 30 1.4 hsm
sigma 50 1.4 hsm

i only had the two sigmas in my hands yet and they worked- and focused- like a charme on my fuji. can't speak for the canon mount versions though...

I'd be interested if anyone has experience with the Sigma 50 1.4... especially focus tracking in low light. Otherwise, it looks like the 35L 1.4 is the main option (beside possibly the 24-70L 2.8).

Prof_Fate

12/04/2008 10:33:36 AM · #11

24-70 2.8 is gonna be the one you need to get. Fast focusing, L quality, very versatile lens for weddings.
Use the center point and AI-Servo mode, shoot for the face or mid body depending on what you're trying to get (head or whole body).

I struggle a bit with these shots and have found this to the best combination of things. A friend does better on these, but that's with his 1D3 so duh, yeah, he's got an advantage. And don't be afraid of direct flash, but having a flash off-camera (a 550 on a stand, close to them, at 1/16 to 1/8 power and fired via PW) helps a LOT for this, and for the garter/boquet stuff.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/04/2008 11:07:14 AM · #12

Thanks prof.

Only hesitation I have with the 24-70L is that it only gives one stop better light than what I have. So long as I don't use flash (I find it hard to get a nice look with flash in those situations), I'm thinking I need at least 2 stops more light than what the 24-105L gives at f4.0...

Do you find you need a flash in darker churches when you use the 24-70L?

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/04/2008 11:13:02 AM · #13

Originally posted by Medoomi:

Can you bounce flash off the ceiling or wall?

goinskiing

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/04/2008 11:13:45 AM · #14

I would think the F2.8 @ 1600 ISO would be good, but it doesn't hurt to have a little more light.

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

12/04/2008 11:18:13 AM · #15

Originally posted by Medoomi:

When I shoot the bridal party coming in during the ceremony I use the 24-70 at F2.8. But if given a larger church I'd certainly use the 85 F1.8. But most of the churches in this area arent that big.

Matt

12/04/2008 11:19:49 AM · #16

Originally posted by Simms:

Not unless it's one of those newer low-ceiling buildings... :-)
Otherwise, I'm standing closish to the front of the aisle & the roof is near to the highest it gets right there...
I'd do off camera flash a lot quicker if there was a nice place to put a flash for cross lighting. But stands kind of look ugly in those situations, especially when the people are seated. I don't think brides would be impressed with a stand. I've thought of a flash clamp on a pew, but the danger then is horror light... Maybe an assistant would help, but mine is getting shots from the other side at that point, rather than helping me :-)

12/04/2008 11:20:43 AM · #17

Originally posted by MattO:

Originally posted by Medoomi:
Hi,

Just looking for lens suggestions for a crop factor body.

I'd love to catch brides with a 5D2 & 85mm 1.8, but that's a dream for the future.

Right now I'm having trouble on my Canon 40D.

the 24-105L f4.0 IS is too slow

the 50mm f1.4 has a focus motor that seems to track badly (does fine for static shots)

I'm presently thinking of the Canon 35mm f2.0, but I know that's an old focusing motor. Anyone have experience with this lens & catching brides walking in.

What do you use to catch brides coming into a church in low light and a crop factor body?

Thanks.

When I shoot the bridal party coming in during the ceremony I use the 24-70 at F2.8. But if given a larger church I'd certainly use the 85 F1.8. But most of the churches in this area arent that big.

Matt

Thanks Matt. What kind of ISO are you using?

Prof_Fate

12/04/2008 01:27:01 PM · #18

Originally posted by Medoomi:

Ah, yes, BUT canon bodies turn on more/extra focusing sensors when 2.8 or faster lenses are used. THAT makes all the difference in the world.
You are also letting in more light overall for the focusing sensors to do their job.

L lenses focus faster than non-L USM lenses. Based on my experiences. My 70-200 2.8 IS will outfocus, speed wise, teh 17-55 2.8 on moving subjects. The L is noticebaly faster to focus. It's part of what got me to get the 24-70.

More stops of light- the 2.8 gives you one, then up the ISO (800 is clean on a 40D) and you can probably shoot 1600 in these situations as you know they won't want a large print of them walking in. I'm leery to go to 3200 on the 40 unless there is no other way. And if you shoot manual (say 1/50, 2.8) and set the FEC to -1 or -2 and use a bounce card - and don't shoot from 30 feet back of course - you should get good shots.

I hate these shots anyway as they never look at the camera, walk fast so if you even get 2 shots you're doing good. If you don't shoot them at the door (ugly BGs, EXIT signs, etc) then you run the risk of them taking some weird path to the head table, even if it's been rehearsed.

Are here you can't use flash during ceremonies. Well, one in 20 might let you. The last wedding I had I was allowed - I asked -because the lights were off. COMPLETELY off for the processional and up until the bride entered the church. Complete silence too. Spooky really. Direct flash was the only way to get anything and it sucked anwyay. Greek Orthodox weddings are a bit different apparently. I think most Catholic services allow flash but all the Cathotlic Churches around here are newer and very bright inside so they're the easy ones.