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Archive 2012 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?

  
 
MikeNakhla
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


Hey everyone,

I sold my 24-70 a few months ago to fund a 24 1.4G purchase, and I've loved the reduced weight and sharpness of the new lens. I do a lot of wedding and portrait photography, but I haven't shot a wedding in the few months that I've had this lens, and I'm not sure if it's the wisest decision to attempt to shoot one with primes alone. I know some have done it and have had amazing results - not sure if that's me. Should I get the 24-70 back? I can't afford both currently.

I've got a D800 on preorder, and my D700 will become by backup, so my body/lens kit would look something like this:

D800 + 24 1.4 or 24-70
D700 + 105 f/2.0 DC

Shooting with both bodies simultaneously (two straps) is what I envisioned when I bought the 24 1.4 in the first place, but I'm starting to doubt the practicality. Anybody have a similar dilemma?

Cheers,

Mike



Mar 13, 2012 at 03:59 PM
markhout
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


You may want to buy a cheap and light 50mm 1.8G. Less practical, but sharper than the 24-70.


Mar 13, 2012 at 04:19 PM
Dan1
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


You doubt the practicality of shooting 2 bodies simultaneously, or of not having the midrange between 105 and 24 covered? Possible solutions would be carrying a 50 to swap with either the 24 or 105 as the situation changes, or trade the 105 for the new 85/1.8 so that you aren't in so tight. Mount that on the D800, a combo which you can crop if need be and still have similar resolution to the 105 on the D700.

Edited on Mar 13, 2012 at 04:28 PM · View previous versions



Mar 13, 2012 at 04:22 PM
honorerdieu
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


Not to be rude, but I can't imagine shooting a wedding with one prime lens at the wide focal length, and another at the telephoto length.

The better setup, IMO, would be the 24-70, 50mm lens, and 105mm.



Mar 13, 2012 at 04:26 PM
jofoto photo
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


Never really liked the 24-70 at 24mm so went back to 17-35 which gives me flexibility. Had the 14-24mm also and although a fine lens found 24mm too wide for small groups in med available space 35mm is so much better. 24-70 is neither of anything, not wide enough in some cases and not long enough in others. I was lucky got a stellar 17-35 it's tack sharp and now a workhorse lens, after that it's 50 1.4, and 85 1.4 which covers lowlight and range. The images from the 24mm 1.4 are great i just think is most cases it's a little too wide for formals groups and i will/would if budget allows probably get the 35 1.4.

My solutions is this, secondhand 17-35, 50 1.4/1.8, your covered, you got a little flex in range and you have 105 dc for portraits.
Joe



Mar 13, 2012 at 04:29 PM
MikeNakhla
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


Thanks for the suggestions - I was thinking of adding a 50 to the mix to make it the 24, 50, and 105.

During the ceremony I'd imagine the body/lens combos would look like this:

D800 + 105 f/2.0 DC for the close ups from a distance
D700 + 24 1.4G for wider shots

and during the reception I'd sub out the 105 for the 50, and with the DX crop on the D800 I could get a bit more reach on the 50 if need be



Mar 13, 2012 at 04:58 PM
afm901
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


The 70-200 f/2.8 VR II is a great wedding lens......you will want something longer than 105.

Scott



Mar 13, 2012 at 05:15 PM
MikeNakhla
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


I actually had an 80-200 f/2.8D that I sold to fund the 105 DC. Can't afford the 70-200 currently, and the 105 when DX cropped will yield about a 150mm lens, so I'm happy on the telephoto front I think. Thanks for the suggestion though - very beautiful lens


Mar 13, 2012 at 05:17 PM
Christian S
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


I shoot weddings. The 24f/1.4 is a very specialized lens that I usually use when the bride is getting ready. This is a lens that I almost always use @ f1.4. If one is in tight quarters this is the lens to have on. The 24 is a great environmental lens. If you are telling a story it is the lens to have especially at a wedding.

I would never sell my 24-70 unless I were to go all primes. One of the main reasons I have not is because of it's lightening fast focus during the times I need fast focus and flexibility in FL. The 24-70 is a much needed tool at many events.I don't need the 24f1.4 but I do need the 24-70 (my 2 cents). Could I shoot with my 24f1.4 on one camera and my 50f1.8 on another, yes and I have. There are weddings where I have used my 24,50, 105, with some use from my 70-200. It gets down to how you like to shoot a wedding and what you can afford in lenses? I personally use primes and zooms. I like to have choices when I hit a wedding. It is also good to have back up FL's. If all I could afford is one lens I would choose the 24-70 on my D3s



Mar 13, 2012 at 05:39 PM
MikeNakhla
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


Thanks for the response, Christian. The 24 is surprisingly fast when compared to the other nikon pro-grade primes, but not as fast as the 24-70, so I'd definitely have to agree with that. Regardless, I've enjoyed my switch to all primes, and I think adding a 50 is what I'd need to do to give me a solid two body kit to work with at weddings.


Mar 13, 2012 at 06:05 PM
mshi
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


You will have to put up with its slow AF speed in dim-lit scenes or use MF instead.


Mar 13, 2012 at 07:33 PM
Jammy Straub
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


You can shoot a wedding with anything... It's just a matter if the photographer is up to the task.

Yes is can be done with just a 24mm and a 105mm. Can you do it?

Personally I'd be fine with a 24, 50, 135mm combo.



Mar 13, 2012 at 09:27 PM
MikeNakhla
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


Good point Jammy. I think it's something that I could do. I've shot weddings with primes before, but have always had zooms at my disposal.

On a separate note - I found a D7000 for $800. I shot with the D7000 previously as a backup wedding camera, and it really held its own against my D700. I'm very tempted to pocket the approximately $1000 difference and put that towards some glass and just use a D800/D7000 combo.

Same batteries, chargers, etc. makes it even more tempting. Decisions, decisions.



Mar 13, 2012 at 09:33 PM
VTXT
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


Don't get me wrong, i'm not trying to be rude, but I would not hire the wedding photographer if I knew his intent was to shoot my wedding with just the 24 and 105. I mean, c'mon, those primes give that certain look which the zooms can't, but then all the shots will look the same. Either ridiculous wide shots or close up upper body shots. You need the 24-70 for weddings if not for anything else. Wedding is about capturing the moment, it's not a photographic journey where you are trying to create the maximum blur in the background or any other special optical properties. Those should be secondary.

The lenses are just a tool to capture the moment, and to capture the moments in a special way. You simply cannot do a wedding with just the 24 and 105.



Mar 13, 2012 at 10:33 PM
MikeNakhla
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


Agreed - it shouldn't be done with just a 24 and 105. But with that being said, not all of the shots will look the same, even if you use primes exclusively.

Shooting at f/1.4 for the whole wedding will yield very similarly styled pictures, but stopping down wouldn't give you the same look at all.



Mar 13, 2012 at 10:36 PM
clew
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


I'm definitely with Christian on this one. If I could only have one lens out of my bag for a wedding, it would be the 24-70.


Mar 13, 2012 at 11:09 PM
Jammy Straub
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


@ Any nay sayers "You're not doing it right".

Holga only weddings:
http://www.erinantognoli.com/#a=0&at=0&mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=0&p=0

35mm only wedding:
http://theperfectpose.com/learning/the-one-lens-wedding-results/

I'm not saying it's for everyone, or every client. But to say it can't be done is...
You can do almost anything if you're up to the challenge. I know a local shooter, her wedding work relies heavily on her use of the 50L on a 5D. Her work is gorgeous and I'd be perfectly content having her shoot my own wedding with just one lens.

Focusing on a singular tool and its mastery can bring about wonderful things, though this is coming from a guy who only let himself shoot with a 50mm lens for 3 years. This all makes me want to bust out the Rolleiflex for a wedding



Mar 13, 2012 at 11:33 PM
krickett
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


I'm actually very surprised at these responses.

I know damn good wedding photographers who shoot primarily with a 35 and an 85. A 24 and a 135 is just a different extension of that.

I shoot weddings also, and I use a wide and a telephoto prime on 2 bodies about 80% of the time. The 2-stop advantage is critical. f/2.8 is slow as hell.

That said, even if I used 2 primes, I would not go to a wedding without a mid-range and a long telephoto. A mid-range zoom is a very versatile backup, while a long telephoto is simply necessary. You can't always get close enough with a 135.

"All the photos would look the same" <--- that's the most absurd statement I've heard this month.



Mar 13, 2012 at 11:38 PM
adamdewilde
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


Don't listen to some of the above comments, I do it all the time... You'll be fine.
Also keep note, two of the most expensive wedding photographers I know (who are booked a year in advance) primarily use ONE lens.. They may have more then one, but only use the one.

It really depends on your preferred FLs though. For me, 35+85 will give me what I need for most if not all weddings I shoot. Though in some cases I opt for 24, 50 and 105 macro, the weddings work out fine.
(when I use to shoot w/Canon it was 24L, 35L, 50L, 85L, 135L (never used) and I either used 24/50 or 35/85).

I shoot with two bodies simultaneously, and I usually try to bring 3 lenses with me at all times (though sometimes just two). But I do get details from the bride and groom ahead of time, so I know exactly what to expect. And if needed I have every FL one can imagine at home (which I suppose the same could be said for you, if there is a rental center near your place).
Sometimes I even leave the 24-70 in the car, with a SB-910 incase things get unexpectedly out of hand. Although again, I know all the wedding venues here in SG, as it's a small place, and I must have already shot 5 events at every hotel here.. Things usually don't get out of hand, and if I do use the 24-70 I usually delete most of the shots taken with it.

My suggestion to you... Put the 24 on the D800, and put the 105 on the D700, then get yourself a 50 1.8 on the cheap and switch off with your 105.. The 24 on a D800 can be cropped if you find yourself with to much information, whereas you may have issues cropping a 12mp D700 body..


Get a 50, you shouldn't have any trouble after that.


Best,
Adam



Mar 14, 2012 at 12:00 AM
adamdewilde
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Nikon 24 1.4G vs 24-70 f/2.8G for weddings?


krickett wrote:
"All the photos would look the same" <--- that's the most absurd statement I've heard this month.



+1



Mar 14, 2012 at 12:02 AM
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