Ok lets say you are starting out and you are about to buy a lens. What kind of lens do you buy. Remember you are new at this and the budget is $1000 and you have a Canon. I am having a hard time choosing what to get. All I have are the basics. I will be shooting weddings and portraits. Right now I am doing more portraits than weddings though.

What will you be shooting primarily? Portraits or Weddings? If portraits - any particular age range?

I think my 24-70 is my most versatile lens and that is why I started out with it. It isn't my favorite though.

I will be shooting portraits and weddings more portraits though!

If I had a Cannon, I'd buy some Cannon balls...and fuses, definitely fuses..

Sorry, couldn't help myself...

Doh!!!!

I also highly recommend the 24-70 2.8 L lens. It's the only lens I own and I've shot many weddings and other assignments with it. Yep, with just this one lens. It is perhaps their most versatile, high quality lens, especially for your use.

You can find great deals on used ones. I think a brand new one is a little over your budget. Both B&H andKEH sell used gear.

i think B&H has the 24-70 2.8 just over 1k with rebates. I too recommend this lens as it is my current workhorse!

Especially since you are going to be shooting weddings, I would suggest the 24-70 for versatility.
Next - maybe the 85mm.

I have a question-- and just want to branch of here so I don't need to start a seperate thread..

My thoughts is to get the 24-70 and hear it's versatile... how so?
What lens are you using when shooting group shots??
Zooms are a new thing for me so I am stuggling between a few and see the 24-70, 17-55, and the 16-35 getting good reviews....

Would love any reviews as well. At over a grand a pop curious as to which would be best first??

If someone were to steal your camera bag and you're left holding a 24-70 on your camera. You'd get by and probably not miss any important shots.

If you were left holding a 70-200 if you can't back up 50 feet you're not getting a group shot. If your holding a 50mm you'll be moving ALOT.

I know there's the old Primes are better argument but with L glass zooms I think the image quality is on par with a good prime.

can i ask what is the preferred lens for group shots??

I use my 24-70

24-70 is what I started with doing weddings and portraits and it has served me very well. It is a workhorse. I recently rented a 24 prime which I loved since it gave a "different" feel to the body of images BUT it can be a little tricky to use for groups (in my opinion).

it's interesting that you just said this...
i just ran across a used 24 (not the usm) and refrained.... wasn't too sure what I could use it for.
Anybody else a 24 user?? Though I am happy I passed, as I would much rather the lens be usm does anybody have a preference to the 24 or the 28 1.8??
Curious....

what about the 135mm 2.0 vs. the 70-200? thoughts? i am a bit worried about the weight of the 70-200.

To add to the chorus, yeah, the 24-70mm. I've started all my camera systems with an 85mm f/1.8, personally, but in terms of the most versatile lens on a full-frame body, it would be the 24-70mm f/2.8. So what they said.

If you're not on a full-frame body, I would think the 17-55mm might be better, but I've never shot with that lens, so I can't say. The range itself would appeal to me on a crop sensor.

Who do you rent from. I am thinking about renting first and then buying!

Jesh told us in November that he only uses his 24 L for portraits and changes the lens rarely when shooting a wedding ceremony (because he can't stand 2" away from the couple while they're saying their vows LOL).

You'll get a wide range of suggestions, but it totally depends on your shooting style.

I bought a cheap Sigma 28mm at Thanksgiving to use for a group shot (16 people in front of a barn) and wide angles but I hate it (I'm not a fan of the 50 either, but other photogs rely on theirs heavily). I'm a 70-200 2.8 lovah, but that doesn't work when you need to stand closer. My next purchase is the 24-70 L and I'll somehow unload the 28 and 50 (keeping my 100 macro for details and some portraits... the 85 would be delicious, but not in the budget these days).

I 2nd the renting/borrow idea.

I never rented anything but a friend of mine does from here...
http://www.lensprotogo.com/