I am ready to add another lens, and want to be able to get shots from down the aisle for weddings. Any ideas on ones that you guys really liked and would work well for this sort of shooting?!?!?

The 70-200 2.8L IS is the choice of most.

+1 to what Mike said.

The 24-70mm 2.8L is nice for a bit of a wider option.

~ Charles

2 great lenses have been mentioned, I have and use both...it does make a difference what camera you are shooting with as well as each venue. A nice lens that could work for you as well would be the 24-105 f4 might be a good option if you could only get one.

+1.

Make sure it's the 2.8, and the IS. Definitely worth the money.

++++++1 !

It might also be helpful to know what you have already. I use a 24-70 for everything right now, but there are times when I'd like it to reach a bit farther. Almost everyone that I've seen uses the 70-200 F2.8 for those situations.

I already shoot with canon 28-135 and a 50. mainly with my 28 thoAnd thanks- I love input from people who are actually using those lenses!

The 70-200mm would give you a little extra reach and a lot of extra quality over what you have. If you need a LOT of extra reach and a lot of extra quality, I highly recommend the Canon 100-400mm f4.5-f5.6.

Do you think it could make it easier for those ceremony shots from the back row? That's about all the depth I am reaching for for now... But I want to make sure I get it.

Hey Jacquelynn,

I've had good experiences with my 70-200mm f/2.8L IS for just this sort of purpose. It's great from the back, stabilizes so you can shoot at slower shutter speeds, and 2.8 is much better than 4 for this purpose.

Are you shooting with a 30D or 5D?
I like the 70-200 2.8 on a 5D

30D or 40D something a little shorter due to the 1.6 lens factor.
But there are many ways to go.

Troy

5D. But I went to town and was able to see a similar lense to the 70-200, but I'm not sure that will get me that much closer than the 135 I already have.

I have a 5D,30D and both the 28-135 and the 70-200 2.8L IS. There is no comparison between the two lenses. In fact, I never even use the 28-135 because the quality of colors and sharpness does not equal either of my L series lenses. The 70-200 is amazing. It is slightly sharper than my 24-70 and the bokeh it creates is spectacular. I also love the IS on it. Long story short, the 70-200 2.8IS is the way to go for long range. I also found this to be my favorite portrait lens as the lens effect of a 200mm is much more pleasing than the 24-70 creates.

If you are really crunched for money then F4 IS version of the 70-200 is good from what I have read. Its IS is also rated for 1 stop higher than the 2.8 version. When shooting in situations like you mentioned, the 2.8 could be too shallow of depth of field, but it is nice to have the option to use the 2.8. I got a used 70-200 2.8IS for $1300 including a super high quality filter and have NEVER regretted it. I love the lens that much.

70-200mm is my choice too by far!!!! If I only had one lens, this would be it. Agree with the IS and 2.8 also. My second choice in zooms would be the 24-70. With these two lenses you can shoot "almost" anything.

Ok, so I know that I was very comfortable with my 28-135mm lens range. I got the 70-200mm lens last week, but it never even came out of my bag at my first wedding last weekend even after practicing with it last week. When do you normally use that lens? It seems that my 28-135mm lets me be closer when I'm in a cramped room and fits better in most situtations, the 70-200 just seemed so limited. But I know I'm still holding on to my 28-135 like a security blanket...

You can't go wrong with the 70-200 2.8L IS. In my mind, it is canon's best lens in almost any situation. Perfect for portraits, wedding photography, nature.. just make sure you don't have to be right on top of your subject and you are fine.

I currently shoot w/2 5D's w/Grips, and use the following lens:
This is one one of the bodies for the whole event.
24 - 105 f/4L IS
I second body I rotate with these lenses.
17 - 40 f/4L
70 - 200 f/2.8L IS
24 f/1.4L

Sometimes, you can't use your feet as a zoom, and you have to use a zoom lens.

Luckily I have another wedding this weekend, so I'll try it again. If not then I can still return it to B&H. I know I want this lens, I just need to get comfortable with it.

Put it on, get used to it! You will honestly wonder why it took so long for you to get it!!;)
Candy
p.s. I have both, I NEVER even look at the 28-135.

i just ask people to walk towards me.

How many actually comply?

the ones that live to tell......

Another vote for 70-200 2.8 IS. It is a must if you are a roamer during the ceremony. I love getting a variety of angles and you can just zoom in and get great tight shots of the couple exchanging their vows and capture their expressions. But then again, I shoot with 2 cameras so I also have my wide angle on the other.

Also use it sometimes during the couple's session when I want to send them out for the hand holding/walking type pics because I can go for full length to portrait with that single zoom while still getting awesome sharpness & gorgeous bokeh. It pretty much is exactly what you asked for in your original post, the best zoom for capturing the ceremony from the back of the aisle. It also comes in handy when you want to shoot unobtrusively at the reception for capturing great candids.

Perhaps during the next wedding, you can get your comfort shots with the 28-135 but also make a point to capture some of the ceremony and candids with the 70-200 to compare the results.

I'm not a wedding shooter, and I'm 5'4' with wimpy arms - so I reccomend the 70-200 4.0 IS.

Fabulous lens! I've rented the all the 70-200s, and the 2.8 IS just too big for me to shoot with all day (I do shoot corporate events). After a few hours, the IS isn't enough to cope with the shake from my sad muscles . I hemmed and hawed (and spent lots of rental money) for a year, and finally I chose the 4.0 IS because it is lighter and smaller.

On the other hand, I shoot with the 30d & 40d, so I didn't go with the 28-70 - I bought the 17-55 2.8 IS. Also a great lens, but not weather sealed (some have problems with dust with this lens).

Wow! OK so the images came out great! Loved using the new lens! My left shoulder however was about to fall off at the 6 hr mark. I ended up shooting almost the whole day with it. I'll post images later. So I have another question:

Edit- made new topics