Okay, so I haven't shot with a full frame in forever and I'm not good at all the math crop factor stuff so I need some guidance as to the next step.

I know I want a 50mm (I've heard there is one that's good and one that's not?)
I need a nice telephoto zoom for ceremony shooting (70-200?)

Here's what I used most in my nikon bag:

17-35mm 2.8
70-200 2.8
50mm 1.8

Thoughts? I haven't shot all primes in a while either, suggestions, pros and cons. Share your faves! Anyone got something they want to sell me?

I was thinking the 28-70 2.8 because that'd be similar to my 17-35 with the full frame. So thoughts?

70-200 2.8 IS is awesome if you can afford it... That is the only zoom I'll use this season---all the rest will be primes. 85 1.8 is a great lens and is very affordable as is the 50 1.4. I use these ALL the time and they are super duper sharp and have excellent color and contrast. Stay away from the 50mm 1.8--it doesn't compare to the 1.4 or 1.2. If you can afford to go all out, the 50 1.2 and 85 1.2 are fabulous (though the 85mm 1.2 is a little slow to focus). If you like to shoot wide too then the 24 1.4L is FANTASTIC!!!

Here's what I'll be shooting with

5D
70-200 2.8 IS
85mm 1.8
50mm 1.4
24mm 1.4
100mm 2.8 macro

Go prime! the quality can't be beat and once you get used to switching lenses and "zooming with your feet" you won't want to go back---just my opinion... for all your zooming needs the 70-200 is the best

The nikon cameras are a 1.6 crop factor (except the D3). If you're looking to have the same focal length, you need to multiply both mm values in by 1.6 to find the lens you will need on a full frame camera... like this-

17-35mm 2.8 becomes 27.2-56 F2.8
70-200 2.8 becomes 112-320 F2.8
50mm 1.8 becomes 80 1.8

So the closest you'll get on your prime is going to be the 85mm, and your best bet on the short zoom is going to be the 24-70 F2.8. As for the long range zoom, I think most people stick with the 70-200 because of low light, however, if you really need the extra reach the 100-400 F4.5-5.6 is a really, really nice lens.

If you like zooms, then the 24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 IS is a great combo. I agree the 85, 50 and 100 2.8 macro are great lenses too!

Have fun spending millions!

Lens advice - let's see:
Take the lens cap off.

Actually, Nikon makes it even easier by being a 1.5x crop factor.

That does make it easier to calculate in your head, but it still means more or less the same thing in terms of translating a 50mm on a crop factor to an 85mm on a full frame.

All of Canon's 50mm's are pretty good. The cheapest, the f/1.8, is the sharpest of them all when stopped down, but the AF is the worst of the bunch. The f/1.2L has the best AF, and color and contrast, especially wide open. The f/1.4 has poor color and contrast wide open, but gets better as it's stopped down.

The 70-200 is the only zoom I use, too. And even that is pretty rare. But if you like zooms, I'd recommend the 24-70L, 70-200L, and then pick up the 85 f/1.8 (same field of view as the 50 on your Nikon's). If you've got the coin, the 85 f/1.2L is fantastic, but a bit slower to focus.

With the right lenses (primes), your 5D will sing.

24L, 50 1.4, 85 1.8, 135L

Fixed it for ya haha.

So, here's what I'm thinking right now because I need to get a flash, grip and extra batteries. I'm thinking of going for primes:

24mm 2.8
50mm 1.4
85mm 1.8
200mm 2.8L

Or should I buy one great lens and rent or borrow as I need them? I had no idea it would be this hard to make a decision!

I have to agree with Ryan, but I was given you the non-gold-plated version.

However, with what you have up there, I would go with the 28 1.8 rather than the 24 2.8. The 50 1.4 and the 85 1.8 can give you great results as can the 200, but the 24 2.8 I don't believe to be a great lens.

Thanks, Cory! That's helpful. So far I purchased a 24-70mm L 2.8 because it's versatile for me until I can build up the rest of my kit. The 135mmL is next on my list and I think I will go with that or the 200mm. Any thoughts on the comparison of those two? I will stay away from the wide angle prime because I've got the zoom right now. I still would love a 50 and an 85 though.

I can't help you comparing the 100 and 200, but I also have the 24-70L and
50 1.4 Very versatile, sharp, quick, beautiful images
85 1.4 Same
Great values

I am not doing weddings, so your needs are a little different than mine, but honestly these two do not disappoint me. I had them first, then purchased the 24-70L and even though it is an awesome lens, it took me a while to break away from the 50 1.4 - just because it 's so darn reliable and easy.
Hope this helps.

I'm with Cory, the 28 f/1.8 is a better lens than the 24 f/2.8. The 24 f/2.8 isn't really any different than the 24-70L, and it's probably worse optically.

Both the 135L and the 200 f/2.8L are great, sharp lenses. Something to think about is that you can put a 1.4x teleconverter on the 135L and get an almost 200 f/2.8, with comparable image quality.

The 135L is a pretty legendary lens. Check out the reviews at www.the-digital-picture.com

I shot with a 24-70 2.8L for weddings and swear by it. Combo that with the 70-200 2.8L IS and you are set. Add the 50 and 85 for backups and when you need the sweetness of the prime and not the walk around versatility of the zoom.

Just to play the Devil's Advocate, primes have a different kind of versatility than zooms, in that you can always stop them down, but you can never open up the zooms to f/1.2-4-8. It really depends on how you work, and what you're comfy with.

Thanks everyone for all of your suggestions. I really have a lot to think about! I am going to borrow and rent what I can in the next few weeks before making any final decisions. I've also heard great things about the 100 macro. Hmmm. I'll let you know!

Its funny, I was a Nikon shooter like you but just sold my Nikon gear to go back to Canon and i picked up a 5D too! Good luck to you with your change. Have you had a chance to shoot with the Canon stuff yet?

Hi Mintandsage,
I've photographed over 400 weddings and have always shot
Canon.
Here is a list of my gear that you can see on my blog
http://mwphotoblog.net/index.cfm?postID=38
(not sure if this will be a hyperlink, if not just cut and paste it).
A few recommendations:
1: I've found that the 70-200 2.8 /IS L glass is best used at 5.6. Stopping down makes your images tack sharp. For years I used this lens at 2.8 and only in the last year, i started stoppping it down, and wow!, what a difference.
2: IMHO primes are much shaper than Zooms. That being said. The 24-70 and the 70-200 2.8 /IS L are essential tools for me. If i had to, i could shoot an entire event with these lenses. Spend the extra bucks on the IS lens, it is worth it. If you buy the non IS, later, you'll be wishing you'd bought the right one.
3: The 50 1.2 blows away the 50 1.4. But if you are just starting out and money is an issue, get the 1.4 and upgrade to the 1.2 when you make some bucks. If you can suck it up, the Bokeh from the 1.2 will blow your mind and make your work look so much better.
4: Get the 85 1.8 instead of the 1.2 for a portrait lens. It costs a fraction of the price. I have both, and only use the 1.2 for studio work. the 1.8 travels around the world with me.
5: The 17-35 2.8, you can probably wait on. Careful with this lens, for group portraits if you are in tight, there is major distortion on the edges. This is a great lens for quick shooting at receptions and for scene setting shots. It spends a decent amount of time in my bag, but does come in useful for when i want to tell a story in wide angle.
Hope this all helps.
Email me i you need more info.
P.S. Forget about the corp factor thingy, it really makes little if any difference. The 5D is a spectacular instrument, with fantastic color rendition and the ability to shoot at 3200 iso w/ virtualy, no noise.

I thought this post from Jasmine Star was really helpful - she describes all her lenses AND why she loves them!

http://www.jasminestarblog.com/index.cfm?postID=100

I have and I am LOVING it! Marc,Thanks so much for the super in-depth response! That's given me a lot to think about. I did purchase the 100 2.8 macro and am loving that. I am working on the 70-200 2.8 IS now and will have one soon! Those other primes, I can borrow/rent to use as needed until I can afford them.KrystalThanks, Kelly!

That is a question I had...does the 100mm Macro 2.8 work on the 5D? That will be my next lens.

Absolutely, it works on all the D series cameras, killer lens although a bit limited.
marc-

Actually I went ahead and bought it and I just got it but haven't tested it...what do you mean "limited"?