Question about lens for indoor wedding shots: I'm using a Canon 70D (cropped 1.6X) and need a faster indoor lens that I'll be using for weddings. I'm thinking in the 85

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

I'm using a Canon 70D (cropped 1.6X) and need a faster indoor lens that I'll be using for weddings.

I'm thinking in the 85 - 150 mm range after the 1.6 multiplication. But I need a fast lens that will work in low light. 1.8 - 2.8 range, with stabilization.

I figure the 86-150 mm range will work well sitting on the front row area or off to the side a bit.

You who are in the know and are shooting in a similar setting please feel free to give me your feed back.

Thanks ahead of time

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Beercat wrote:

I'm using a Canon 70D (cropped 1.6X) and need a fa... (show quote)

Hello Beercat

If you have the money buy from Canon. The L lenses are the very best in the Canon line go to B&H or Adorama or maybe your local camera store if one is available.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

RichardSM wrote:

Hello Beercat

If have the money by from Canon. The L lenses are the very best in the Canon line you go to B&H or Adorama or maybe your local camera store if one is available.

I'm looking for exact lens model recommendations ......

chrisewers Loc: born UK. live in USA.

Beercat wrote:

I'm using a Canon 70D (cropped 1.6X) and need a fa... (show quote)

If you can afford it the Canon 70mm 200mm f2.8 l lens. Bit heavy but excellent fast lens.

amehta Loc: Boston

Beercat wrote:

I'm using a Canon 70D (cropped 1.6X) and need a fa... (show quote)

You could get a 24-70mm f/2.8, or a Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8. I have no idea how good the Sigma is, I had not heard of it when I was using a crop sensor. But it is exactly the focal length you are looking for.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

amehta wrote:

You could get a 24-70mm f/2.8, or a Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8. I have no idea how good the Sigma is, I had not heard of it when I was using a crop sensor. But it is exactly the focal length you are looking for.

I have the older, non-VR (IS) version of the Sigma 50-150 and it is amazing for an APS-C camera.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

The Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 is one I'm considering. They say it's a bit heavy at 3 pound just for the lens, but I've head good glass weights a bit so who knows.

I also thought 2.8 could be marginal in some dark churches, like old missions, something a bit quicker would be nice but I know I probably can't expect something with long reach.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Beercat wrote:

I'm using a Canon 70D (cropped 1.6X) and need a fa... (show quote)

Hi Beercat

Do you want a zoom lens or a fixed lens such as 85mm L lenses both of which are fine lenses again it comes down to what you think you can afford. I would stay with Canon. I my self would prefer canon to other brands, canons quality is superior to sigma and tamron and others just my opinion.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

RichardSM wrote:

Hi Beercat

Do you want a zoom lens or a fixed lens such as 85mm L lenses both of which are fine lenses again it comes down to what you think you can afford. I would stay with Canon. I my self would prefer canon to other brands, canons quality is superior to sigma and tamron and others just my opinion.

The 85mm prime is a great choice. If I had it on a full frame sensor I would feel a bit better as I would have some room to crop to pull in the subject. The 85mm prime makes me a bit less mobile in the church, well IMO. Find a good spot to park and stay there ........

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Beercat

I guess your best bet would be the Canon 70-200mm f2.8L lens. Good luck on your choice of lenses.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

RichardSM wrote:

Beercat

I guess your best bet would be the Canon 70-200mm f2.8L lens. Good luck on your choice of lenses.

Richard - my current walk-around is a Canon kit lens that in essence is a 26mm - 200mm on a cropped sensor. When I reach out to 200mm the best the lens will do is 5.6. A 2.8 would buy me one stop, is it worth it?

Is there a way to get my current 5.6 to do the task without unusually high ISO speeds? The Canon 70D I'm using seems to be OK up to around 1600 ISO but after that it seems to go downhill quickly ............ any feedback would be great.

Part of me says to just buy a 5D MK III and be done with it. Thoughts?

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Beercat wrote:

Richard - my current walk-around is a Canon kit le... (show quote)

The Mklll 5D is a fine camera no doubt have you looked at 6D too it is a FF camera and a $1000 less?

amehta Loc: Boston

Beercat wrote:

Richard - my current walk-around is a Canon kit le... (show quote)

Going from f/5.6 to f/2.8 is two stops, so that takes the shutter speed from 1/30 to 1/125. More important is the image quality wide open, I think the pro-level f/2.8 zoom is better at 200mm, f/2.8 than a consumer zoom at 200mm, f/5.6.

For the last wedding I did (the shot I posted in your other topic), I rented a 24-70mm f/2.8 since I only had primes and a 70-200mm f/2.8.

Buying a 5D Mark III for one event is silly. Buying a 5D Mark III because it is a great camera and you will use it a lot is brilliant. :-)

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

RichardSM wrote:

The Mklll 5D is a fine camera no doubt have you looked at 6D too it is a FF camera and a $1000 less?

I prefer the faster/more accurate auto focus on the 5D

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

amehta wrote:

Going from f/5.6 to f/2.8 is two stops, so that ta... (show quote)

You are correct, me bad :cry: