Here goes. You have everything covered from 24-200mm. Yet you went out and bought an ultra fast prime smack in the middle of that range, why?
Im not saying that you shouldnt have got it, its just that you must have had a reason to buy it and that reason would surely have a bearing here?...unless of course you bought it coz you just wanted it, which is cool.
So ask yourself why you bought the 85L, what it is about your shooting style that dictates the purchase and then delete the thread because you will have answered your own question :-)
I have nearly the same setup -- except the 85 1.8 and a tamron 28-75 (and I shoot two 5Ds). Keep in mind that I'm newer to this than you are, so take everythign i say with a grain of salt. I thought I'd chime in because I have a similar setup.
I love the 85 (favorite lens of all time -- also the first lens I ever purchased), yet I have a hard time justifying using it because I have that focal length when I use the 70-200. I would say use the 24-70 and 85 when you get the "getting ready" shots. The space is usually too cramped to use anything greater than 85 to 100, and you can move in close if you need to. Then, switch and use 70-200 and 85 for portraits. During the ceremony, keep the two zooms on -- you won't have to worry about missing anything. I don't know much about the 1DMKII, so I can't say which body to keep which lens on. During the reception, you should also have two zooms on, but keep the 85 handy because it's a SWEET lens and you can get some great shots with it. Theoretically you could shoot an entire wedding with just those two zooms and a macro, but I know how nice that 85 is.
I like that idea of 85 and 24-70 when getting ready.
I was thinking of keeping my two zooms on during most and just using my 85L for portraits before the ceremony and during the reception. I think I will now use it for getting ready too.
Deb Brundage wrote:
I have nearly the same setup -- except the 85 1.8 and a tamron 28-75 (and I shoot two 5Ds). Keep in mind that I'm newer to this than you are, so take everythign i say with a grain of salt. I thought I'd chime in because I have a similar setup.
I love the 85 (favorite lens of all time -- also the first lens I ever purchased), yet I have a hard time justifying using it because I have that focal length when I use the 70-200. I would say use the 24-70 and 85 when you get the "getting ready" shots. The space is usually too cramped to use anything greater than 85 to 100, and you can move in close if you need to. Then, switch and use 70-200 and 85 for portraits. During the ceremony, keep the two zooms on -- you won't have to worry about missing anything. I don't know much about the 1DMKII, so I can't say which body to keep which lens on. During the reception, you should also have two zooms on, but keep the 85 handy because it's a SWEET lens and you can get some great shots with it. Theoretically you could shoot an entire wedding with just those two zooms and a macro, but I know how nice that 85 is.
I tend to disagree with the sentiments about not needing the 85L if you have the 70-200. Sure, the 70-200 is quick, fast, and easy, but it's in a completely different league when you've got a nasty background that's got to go bye bye.
It all depends on your style. Plenty of us can get by just fine with a 35 and 85. Then there are those who don't like to walk and prefer the 24-70 and 70-200. I find I need less PP when I shoot primes, especially fast ones.
That said, I'd probably go with the 24-70 on the 5D and the 85 on the 1D2. That gives you a good amount of range and whenever you do need more, you can just swap the 85 for the 70-200.
Not to be rude, I'm all for people asking questions when they're not sure, but this seems a little . . . silly. If you don't know why you bought these lenses, then why did you buy them?
It would make sense for me to understand why every single piece of kit is in my bag, especially for one to buy an 85L, you better know why you have it and when to use it.
But, you'll get great results with any of them. There is no magic recipe, secret solution to using these lenses, and especially at which times. Its FAR more important to visualize what you want, then go and get it, instead of just lifting the camera and just shooting away for no apparent reason.
There's no answer that is right or wrong here. Shoot enough with all combinations, and you'll see for yourself which lens and camera combination you will want to use for each occasion.
I think you can easily solve your lens usage problem by following the advice that you gave to others in this thread https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/643688 .
Just .... "Use your heads!"
JustJim wrote:
I have a new lens setup this year and wedding season is here.
Help me choose where my lenses go for the ceremony and reception.
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