Hi guys, sorry to bring this up once again, as I know it is one of the most discussed topics, but I am going crazy with the lenses issue...
When I started, I would just shoot a wedding with a 20D and a Sigma 18-50 2.8, and I could cover the whole wedding (obviously without a lot of WOW shots). It was so simple, light and comfortable. I don't like swapping lenses in a rush.
So I use a 5D (II) and a 7D and this is what I'm dealing with:
I used to shoot crop, So I had the 17-55 2.8, the 70-200 F4 IS (my wife shoots a lot with it and she is very petite, can't handle the 2.8), and the 10-22.
I eventually bought a 5D and I thought "I can go up a stop in ISO dept., and with the added depth of field of the full frame, F4 will be the same as my previous F2.8", so I got the 24-105, which I really like, this one is really sharp wide open (had a bad copy before but exchanged for a good one).
I found out that if I get the perfect (ish) framing for each picture, there is a lot less post-processing time in Lightroom later. If I was using primes, I would be cropping most of my pictures and wasting a lot of time in post. So the 24-105 is my workhorse. I know how to use flash and will use it when I need.
I use the 10-22 on the 7D mostly at the ceremony, and I'll change to the 70-200 if I feel the need for it.
But I then realise that if I used primes, I could get another 2 or 3 stops of light. SO I bought the 85mm 1.8, but It's a long lens to use without IS, so I can never go below around 1/80, and I can use the 24-105 at 1/40 with great results... I was thinking if I should get a 35 or a 50 (I have the 1.8 but never use it because I don't trust the focus system in low light). I see that some people just get the 70-200 2.8 and forget about the 85mm primes.
I understand that I'm not even asking a proper question, but if you have some thoughts on the subject I will greatly appreciate your time and effort.
I would def. invest in some F1.4 primes. Atleast get a 50mm F1.4 since its cheaper then the 35mm. They come in handy and make certain situations a lot easier.
Sounds like general photography technique issues rather than anything wedding related.
"If I was using primes, I would be cropping most of my pictures and wasting a lot of time in post." This sounds like lazyness if you use the 24-105 just because you don't move your feet enough. Sure you can't always move to exactly where you want, but cropping "most" of your pictures just because you are using a prime is a frame of mind issue IMHO.
"I can never go below around 1/80" also, this seems excessive and improving your hand holding technique may be more beneficial in the long run rather than relying on technology to help you.
Overall it sounds like you should practice your photography more, rent some lenses and experiment outside of the paid weddings so that you can give your clients the best results.
I use 3 primes and I rarely crop. You just have to learn to frame better with what's on your lens. For me the speed of a prime is worth more to me than being able to zoom. And having used primes all through my career it's just habit to frame my images best I can given where I'm standing and where I'm able to move to. I'd say I also have about a 70% success rate shooting at 1/20th of a second. And like 40% shooting at 1/8th. And that's without IS. It's not a magic trick or special talent, I'm not special. It's a skill, and skills are learned through practice and experience.
In your case, I'd use the 17-55 on the crop and get a couple of primes. 35, 50 and or 85. Pull out the 70-200 as needed. I'd dump the 24-105, but that's just me. I never liked the lens for weddings. I'd also dump the 10-22 and get a 16-35 for the FF. That's just me.
I shoot primes a lot and rarely crop. It's all about making the composition before snapping the shutter not afterward in post. I think if you try to shoot this way you'll end up with much better results.
I swapped around lenses a lot trying to figure out works best and I've finally landed on 16-35, 35, 50, 85, 70-200. This has worked beautifully for weddings, along with everything else I shoot. The only lens I feel I'm lacking is a macro for shooting details.
I would ditch the 24-105 too. Being limited to F4 isn't ideal for wedding use IMO.
