I use an 85mm f1.8 and a 200mm f2.8 L so I get both ends of the range. If weight is really an issue then I have an old 70 - 210 f4 which is pretty sharp.
I use a 135L for compactness, AF speed and f2. I use a non IS 70-200 f4L when I need a cheap, light zoom.
If I hadn't already got these lenses I might have got the f2.8 70-200L because its great, but figure that I've effectively covered its workspace with my existing Ls.
As probably the finest zoom lens I've ever used, and as a vital part of my wedding equipment, I don;t think there is an alternative to this 'work-horse' of a lens is there?
I've tried 70-200 2,8 IS once, and found it to be to big, and it's performance wasn't worth it's price for me.
You have a variety of primes- depending of what focal lenght you prefer- apart from 85L (probably very good, but I won't find out- soooooo expensive) you have 85 1,8; 100 2,0; 135L, 200 2,8. And you could probably buy 3 out of these 4 at the price of 70-200 2,8 IS.
I use 100 2,0 and wouldn't trade for 70-200. I'm planning to add 135L at some point.
But that's just me and it's always "whatever works" rule
I have no idea how people get by with their longest lenses being 100-135mm for ceremonies. Maybe the US is different but in a big church, especially if I'm confined to the back, even 200mm is a struggle at times.
bertpalmer wrote:
135L FTW
Pretty sure he shoots Nikon.
I would consider the 85 1.8G. It is really light, really cheap, and is going to perform almost as well as the 1.4G.
I have two sigma 85's that I am going to be selling and I am going to be getting another 70-200 and an 85 1.8G.
85 and 135 for me. I do miss my zoom lenses though. One day I will buy 100-400. Not for wedding work.. just for fun. 135 is the longest I can go right now.
I have the new 70-200 2.8 IS but I leave it behind whenever I can in favor of the 85L and 135L. Obviously, for fast-paced weddings and events the zoom's are great but it stays in my bag for engagement sessions / getting ready / family photos / etc.
also, do a couple bicep curls / push-ups / pullups each day and that thing wont feel so heavy!
Yeah I like the nikon 135, lots of people knock it though as it needs an update, I think I would have to get the 135 as well as to see how I like it.
My thought process was actually to sell the 70-200 to help fund the D800, but I guess in reality the 135 is over 1/2 the cost of the 70-200 so I will just save. I have shot a ceremony with the 105 af-s lens since my timeline of getting my new 70-200 didn't work out, was a tad to short imo. I do like to get into peoples faces to show their emotion
Yeah either exercise....or get an assistant to carry your gear.
That's a invaluable piece of glass that can save your ass on multiple occasions.
Fast primes are great...but sometimes you will need a good zoom.
I would personally not dare to go around without it.
I sold my 70-200 v1 and got a sigma 85 + 135L. It was not for weight reasons, I just liked the images my sigma 50 produced over the zoom, and I had rented the 135 a few times and always loved it.
