how often do you use a 70-200 lens

[Gerald Labrador]

Hey DSLR shooters, how often do you use a 70-200 lens for weddings?
I'm currently using a 24-70 and a 50 on my T2i. And I'm pondering on a 85 f1.4 or 70-200 f2.8 as my next purchase.

Thanks.

[Nick Popa]

though being able to shoot at 1.4 is obviously a huge advantage with the extra 2 stops.... I have the 70-200 2.8 and use it during ceremonies. It's variable focal length really lets you frame up well with your surroundings. It would be very hard to move the camera to the perfect place at some of these churches/venues. Especially if you go to one that only let's you stay in the back (happened to me twice). If I just had an 85, it would have been way too wide and unpleasant.

[Travis Cossel]

The 70-200 is VERY useful. We have a few and we use them for every ceremony and reception, and sometimes even pre-ceremony for special shots. We also sometimes use the 70-200 with a 2.0 extender, which doubles the range (although you lose some light too). The 85 is a great lens, no doubt, but I would take a 70-200 over an 85 any day if I had to choose just one.

[Greg Fiske]

+1 to comments above. 85 handheld is prone to jittery footage without a shoulder rig, so its kind of an awkward length without IS. The 70-200 has IS so you can handhold it without a shoulder rig. Set it at 200 and your background turns to cream. Great lens!

[Ken Diewert]

70-200 plus the 5d2. Of the lenses i have - this is my favorite.
With the ability to shoot higher ISO, I rarely feel that this lens is too slow, and it is more versatile in a wedding environment than a long prime.

[Michael Simons]

I have probably shot over 60 DSLR weddings and I've never used the 70-200mm. It's too big and bulky for me. I use the 85mm 1.8 and the 135mm 2.0 which are better under low-light.

[Johannes Soetandi]

I'm sure you'll make lots of use out of it. It's an excellent lens! Except that I'm already in love with our two 135mm f2.0L and can't resist to use it! :P

Although, I did purchase a Canon 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS the other day for our backup lens.. turns out to produce excellent image quality and very cheap too :)

[Buba Kastorski]

Originally Posted by Gerald Labrador

Hey DSLR shooters, how often do you use a 70-200 lens for weddings?

it is permanently attached to my 5D:), I mean 100% of park and 90% of reception footage from 5D shot with 70-200 2.8,, I also have 135mm on 1D, which makes it look pretty close, except for the better low light of 1D and 135mm, but it's prime, and i like zooms for weddings - not always have time to use foot zoom:) Plus it has very good stabiliser, and i can do handheld @200mm and it's very smooth, I agree with Travis I'll choose that lens any day over 85 or 135mm.

[Michael Simons]

I think if you work with the same photographer every weekend, the 70-200mm will work for you. But if you work with different photogs every weekend, the 85mm will be better. I worked with a photog last week that stood 2 feet away from the B&G all day..no way a 70-200mm will have done me any good unless I wanted to shoot the back of the photogs head.

[Travis Cossel]

Michael, maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but the 70-200 already covers the 85mm range, so I don't see why using a 70-200 would be an issue. If you end up in a situation where you need the 85mm range, just adjust the 70-200 zoom to the 85mm setting. Right?

[Michael Simons]

Originally Posted by Travis Cossel

Michael, maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but the 70-200 already covers the 85mm range, so I don't see why using a 70-200 would be an issue. If you end up in a situation where you need the 85mm range, just adjust the 70-200 zoom to the 85mm setting. Right?

I think with the 70-200mm you can stand much further back away from the action (which is ideal) but in most cases, the photographers are standing so close that the further back you stand can only hinder your ability to maneuver and get a better angle. The 70-200 is a big heavy lens to carry and manuever. Unfortunately for me, I don't work with the same photographers every weekend so I have to be able to be quick on my feet because the photogs say they will do one thing, but will often do another and have no clue where I am standing.

[Travis Cossel]

I agree that the 70-200 is a heavier lens, but it can also go wider than the 85 .. or much closer. So to me, it's a much more versatile lens for a live event situation. Use what you like, though I say. d;-)

[Kelly Langerak]

The 70-200. You can use this to get shots of people enjoying dinner w/o them noticing.

But more importantly, you need the range rather then a fixed lens. I use the the 70-200 for corporate work and other events.

Get the 70-200 first

[Matthew Craggs]

Only for the ceremony, on the camera in the middle aisle.

Originally Posted by Buba Kastorski

i can do handheld @200mm and it's very smooth

You must have nerves of steel, Buba. I would never trust myself going handheld with any DSLR, no matter how wide and no matter how good the image stabilizer is. If you're getting stable shots @ 200mm, what is your technique?

[Michael Simons]

Travis & Kelly. What do you guys think about the Sigma 70-200? I've come very close to buying the Canon but it's just so much money and I wasn't sure how much I would really use it.