Low Light Primes

Hey y'all. I have a Canon 20D with a 24-70mm f/2.8L, and 70-200mm f/2.8. I also have the 580EX (flash). I have been researching for a lens ideal for wedding photography, where light might be low and flash not desired. I was thinking of using this lens when the bride is getting ready in the house or hotel etc before the ceremony. Initially i was thinking the 35mm 1.4, but that seems a bit too wide. I usually like to include a good portion of the face. Then i started thinking that the 50mm 1.4 would be perfect, but considering the reviews (they are nonetheless good, when compared to the price, but lens has it's flaws), and then started considering the 85mm 1.2, but that seems to be quite expensive, slow AF, and very much tight (zoomed) for a room, although correct me if i'm wrong. Anyone with experience in this? Also consider my 1.6x crop factor, for you film and 1Ds guys.
Thanks,
Mando

Mando,

I would think from the two lenses you have already, you should try those in the situation your are talking about trial wise first and see the results you get first without spending anymore money.

I have read that the range of prime from 85 - 135mm is the ideal to stay in anyway. I beleive the 100 and 135 prime lenses are excellent lenses as well.

I would start with the 50 f1.4. On 35mm, I'd usually use an 85 for that and with the conversion factor a 50 would give you about the same angle of view. I use "Brand N" and use both the 50 and 85 (85 more with film; 50 more with digital). The 50 is also by far the least expensive. Canon's 24 f1.4 would be a great one too.

Just keep in mind that apertures such as 1.4, 1.8 etc. have so little DOF that they are only useful in very specific situations.

I am a wedding photographer. I use the Nikon D70 and F100 with the following AF Nikkors; 24-85, 20mm F2.8, 35mm F2, 50mm F1.4. I just added the 105mm F2.8 Micro Nikkor to this setup.
I have it all covered with that package for weddings. Check out my website for some wedding pics;
http://www.williamkazak.com
wkazak@ameritech.net

My own personal observation with the 85 f1.2L is that I don't think it's slow at all. I ran into a fellow photog on the street during the last weekend who just happened to have the 85 f1.2L and 20D. We traded cameras for a few minutes comparing notes between the 20D and the 1DmkII. I've read that the 85 f1.2L is slow, but darned if I could tell the difference in speed between that and my 28-70 that I had on my 1D. On the 20D it seemed to snap focus instantly, maybe even faster than my 1D (well to be fair to my camera, it was set to only one AF point, while my 1D had all 45 AF on.) It sure was bright in the viewfinder with that lens. I'd recommend it for weddings based on that alone, but the 85 f1.8 consumer version which I have is a very fine lens, and very quick to focus (probably my fastest focusing lens in my possesion-and I've got more than a few "L" lenses in that collection). I personally wouldn't bother with the 50 f1.4, it's a nice lens, but it spends more time in my camera bag than any lenses except for the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. Of my primes, the 85 f1.8 and the 135 f2L get the most use on my cameras during weddings and studio shoots. Just my two bits. :cool: