Wedding Bliss??

Looking for some advice-
Friends are constantly asking me to take candids at their wedding/receptions to caputre their wedding bliss. I'm thinking about adding the Canon EF24-70mm 2.8 to my bag to get a faster lense and have a wider angle for nature shots.
I've been wanting a wider lense for awhile and was wondering if anyone had qualms with this lense or could suggest another solution.

Thanks in advance.
Rod

Rod, I use the 24-70L 2.8 as my main landscape lens. I've also used it numerous times for portraiture, weddings and events.

It's probably mostly photographer error (because he's not very good at shooting people) but I've had mixed results with the lens for people photos. Instead of setting my body to a full auto mode I still tend to shoot in AV and select my desired aperture which seems to introduce some blur and/or lack of sharpness in many cases when handheld.

I would be tempted to look at a wide angle to medium zoom lens with IS in the f4 range if I were going to do more events. However, I'm sure the 24-70 would be fine in the right hands!

I guess my biggest reservation would be that I would want something longer than 70mm to get candid shots, but I suppose you've done this enough that you've worked out your own style and can work within that limitation? Or you would switch to a longer telephoto if you need more reach?

I've never used the 24-70, but if you can live without the extra stop, you might consider the 24-105 F/4L, which will get you into portrait focal length territory as well.

Hey Rod, Our youngest son has done some of just what you are talking about as a second camera for the main shooter. They prefer the 70-200 2.8 IS, and they call it the "sniper lens" because you don't have to be close enough to be part of the activity, but can still get the shot. It is a pricey lens, but I have done some "available light" shots from across a room with good results. When I was down at the Spring Gathering, my main lens was an 17-35 2.8. I have had good luck with it - but I don't think it is long enough for a wedding.

Just my two cents worth - you now have all you paid for.....

For weddings you might look at the 50 1.4. Its cheap and fast. Or the 85 1.8. The 24-70 is a great lens too.

Keep in mind that for wedding candids, you won't generally be blowing images up very much, at least not often, so a higher ISO can be used(400, 800, maybe even 1600 depending on what body you're shooting). I also wouldn't recommend shooting much wide open(f/2.8) with people, especially in groups, because your DOF will be pretty limited. The 24-105 f/4 IS lens may also be a good option, and a good sample is pretty darn sharp. It is an L lens, though it doesn't have the heft of the 24-70, so it certainly feels a little more "consumer-y". And you'd save enough (as compared to the 24-70 f/2.8) to get FAST 50mm (f/1.8 or f/1.4) lens so if you really need a low light magician, you'd have one.

I used to sell cameras for a living. Does it show?

my recommendation 24-105L IS, just as sharp, the IS is better for hand held and you have more reach, you don't want to shoot wide open at 2.8 anyway. This lense is one my camera all the time a great do everything lense. The 70-200 is to long for group shot's indoors, so it's in another category to me, but of course a great lense.

reviews
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=295&sort=7&cat=27&page=1

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-105mm-f-4-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

I tend to agree with Gale. I sold my 24-70 to get the 24-105 and only rarely missed the 2.8. The IS allowed me get some really great shots hand-holding when I couldn't take a tripod.

You might appreciate the f2.8 for artistic effects and to separate the subject from the background. If not the IS in the 24-105 will allow you to get sharp images handheld with less light.

The 24-70 is a very heavy lens and while I thought the 24-105 was just as sharp some say it is a little softer than the 24-70.