fbpx

last day to save big!

The AJ Spring Flash Sale disappears tonight! Click here to score a deal on the course or resource you need before they’re gone!

black friday EXTENDED

last day to save big!

flash sale ends tongiht


Browse by Category

Browse Blog by Category:

Education

What Lens Should I Buy Next?

We're Amy & Jordan
We're here to help you take amazing photos, build a successful business and live a beautiful life. We're high school sweethearts, parents of three and teachers at heart. 
TOp categories
Wanna Take Amazing Photos?
take the free class

Dear A&J,

I currently have a Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens and a Canon 24-105 f/4 lens. I’m thinking about making the leap to either a Canon 24-70 f/2.8 lens, or a 70-200 f/2.8 lens. If I buy either, I would probably need to sell the 24-105 due to finances. Which lens do you use most, the 70-200 or the 24-70? In your opinion, can I do without the 24-70 range while shooting a wedding?

Sincerely, 

MS

Dear MS,

Okay, friend, we ‘ve got LOTS of thoughts on this, but before we get to those, let’s take a step back so we can compliment you on three things that you did in this question that you probably didn’t even know you were doing that we’re proud of you for — and that we think others might find helpful, too:

1. You’re saving up and paying cash.

First, judging by the fact that you’re considering selling one lens to purchase another, it sounds like you’re not willing to go into debt or take out a loan to purchase this new lens. We think that’s key whenever you’re thinking about a business purchase. We’re huge fans of Dave Ramsey and built our business 100% debt-free. It took us a little longer to acquire all of the gear that we needed (and there are still things that we want!), but we never put shiny new things (like lenses) before future things (like retirement savings). In our 10-part series called Making the Leap, we talk about being debt-free as the first essential step toward going full-time, building your business on a rock, and setting yourself up for future, sustained, long-term success. You’re doing the same, so well done.

2. You’re seeking wisdom and advice.

We don’t have all the answers. You don’t have all the answers. And neither of us should, right? It’s never been — and it never will be — about being the smartest person in the room or knowing everything. It’s about being the wisest. We’re firm believers in seeking wisdom. Simply put: the more you ask questions of people who are where you want to be in all areas of your life, and then listen,  and then apply what they’ve told you, the more wise you’ll be. It’s a lot easier to learn from other people’s experiences and mistakes than it is to learn for yourself. We seek wisdom on a regular basis from people we love and trust, whether that be family, friends, photographers, pastors, business experts, financial advisors, you name it. The fact that you’re seeking advice before making a a big business purchase shows that you’re wise.

3. You’re putting your clients first.

This is an important point. You didn’t write to ask us which lens is our favorite, or which one you could have the most fun with. You wrote because you want to know which lens is going to be the most effective in helping you capture a complete wedding day for your brides and grooms. You’re asking the right question because the answers serves them. Sure, there are a few lenses you could get first that you might have more fun with. We mean, the 24-70 isn’t the most sexy lens in the world, you know? But it gets the job done — and that’s what matters. This point can’t be hammered home enough: the longer you’re in business, and the more clients you have, the more tempting or harder it’ll be to put your clients first and make them feel like the most important people in the world. This is a bit of a tangent, but don’t miss that. Always, always, always funnel every decision you make through this filter: is this best for my clients? Does it put them first? One of our recent grooms emailed us something yesterday that reaffirmed to us that, no matter how busy we get (or think we are), putting our clients first is best. Here’s what we wrote: Following you on Facebook, we can see that you are always super busy but at the same time made us feel like we were the priority. There is no better feeling than that.

So, which lens should you get first? 

Here’s the thing. It’s a tough call. We debated back-and-forth for a few minutes before coming to a conclusion. On one hand, the 24-70 allows you to get into REALLY tight spaces in the getting ready room and right in the middle of the dance floor action at the reception. You can’t do that nearly as well with just a 50mm. At the same time, are those the most important moments of the day? They matter, for sure, but we think our clients probably value the ceremony and bride and groom portraits the most (and family and bridal party shots, too), and we shoot ALL of those with our 70-200. It’s a incredible portrait and ceremony lens. But there’s a tradeoff, and we want you to be aware of it: if your widest lens is 50mm, you’re going to struggle in getting ready rooms sometimes and at receptions, too. You might get frustrated because you know you can get a killer shot, but you gear limits you. So, to make a long story short, if we had to choose, we’d go with the 70-200. This is at odds with the order in which we purchased our lenses originally. We got the 24-70 first. But, in hindsight, knowing what we know now and how important those ceremony and portrait moments are, we might choose differently.

Another Option

However, for you, we think there might be a third way. Don’t buy either. We know, you might think we’re crazy, but hear us out. To purchase both lenses you’re talking about, it’ll cost you about $5,000 give or take. Right now, your 24-105 gets you super wide and it gets you tight enough (honestly, it does) to shoot portraits and ceremonies well. You might not have the aperture that you wish you had, but you also won’t miss anything. And, at the end of the day, that’s what your clients care about most (and, remember, it’s about serving them). Most people couldn’t tell the difference between f/2.8 and f/4, not that it’s not important and not that it doesn’t make a difference, but we’d always opt for latitude in focal range over latitude in aperture depths. What if you, instead, rocked your two lenses for right now. Save up. Work extra jobs. Offer mini-sessions. Do whatever you have to do to get $5,000 as fast as possible. Buy the 70-200 when you hit your first $2,500 and buy the 24-70 when you hit the second $2,500. Then sell your lens. If we were in your shoes, that’s probably what we’d do.

Thanks so much for the question, friend! It was a long answer, but we hope it helped!

Good luck!

A&J

Lens_0001

More from the Dear A&J Series…

 

Alisa

meet us

Amy & Jordan

We're high school sweethearts who had no formal training in photography, but went from being elementary school teachers to making six figures as full-time photographers. We're teachers at heart (with over 30,000 online course students) and are here to help YOU take amazing photos, build a thriving business and live a beautiful life. As parents to three littles, we're all about making every minute count and love to share what we're learning along the way. We're so glad you're here!
 

Hey friend! we're

meet us

Amy & Jordan

We're high school sweethearts who had no formal training in photography, but went from being elementary school teachers to making six figures as full-time photographers. We're teachers at heart (with over 30,000 online course students) and are here to help YOU take amazing photos, build a thriving business and live a beautiful life. As parents to three littles, we're all about making every minute count and love to share what we're learning along the way. We're so glad you're here!
 

Hey friend! we're

meet us

Amy & Jordan

We're high school sweethearts who had no formal training in photography, but went from being elementary school teachers to making six figures as full-time photographers. We're teachers at heart (with over 30,000 online course students) and are here to help YOU take amazing photos, build a thriving business and live a beautiful life. As parents to three littles, we're all about making every minute count and love to share what we're learning along the way. We're so glad you're here!
 

Hey friend! we're

meet us

Amy & Jordan

We're high school sweethearts who had no formal training in photography, but went from being elementary school teachers to making six figures as full-time photographers. We're teachers at heart (with over 30,000 online course students) and are here to help YOU take amazing photos, build a thriving business and live a beautiful life. As parents to three littles, we're all about making every minute count and love to share what we're learning along the way. We're so glad you're here!
 

Hey friend! we're

meet us

Amy & Jordan

We're high school sweethearts who had no formal training in photography, but went from being elementary school teachers to making six figures as full-time photographers. We're teachers at heart (with over 30,000 online course students) and are here to help YOU take amazing photos, build a thriving business and live a beautiful life. As parents to three littles, we're all about making every minute count and love to share what we're learning along the way. We're so glad you're here!
 

Hey friend! we're

meet us

Amy & Jordan

We're high school sweethearts who had no formal training in photography, but went from being elementary school teachers to making six figures as full-time photographers. We're teachers at heart (with over 30,000 online course students) and are here to help YOU take amazing photos, build a thriving business and live a beautiful life. As parents to three littles, we're all about making every minute count and love to share what we're learning along the way. We're so glad you're here!
 

Hey friend! we're

don't miss it!

In this FREE online class, we'll show you three major photo mistakes (and how to fix them) so you can take beautiful photos with whatever camera you have! No prior experience required!

your teachers, amy & Jordan

FREE ONLINE PHOTO CLASS

learn how to take amazing photos

Instagram

Let's connect on Instagram! Click here to find Amy on Instagram and follow along!

@amy_demos

don't miss it!

In this FREE online class, we'll show you three major photo mistakes (and how to easily fix them) so you can take beautiful photos with whatever camera you have! No prior experience required! 

take amazing photos

FREE ONLINE PHOTO CLASS

3 MaJOR PHOTO MISTAKES

free class!

Don't take another photo without learning the most common photo mistakes most people make (and how to fix them fast!) Get our secrets for amazing pics no matter what camera you have in this online photography training for FREE! No experience required!