Hi Zane!
Thanks for the comments! Yeah, I know that the background is a bit busy in a couple, but, it's very hard to get the perfect background when /they've/ chosen the location to be shot at. I have to work with what I have, and to a deadline -- the limousine driver was waiting to take us to the next stop.
I honestly can't tell you what it is about the original 5D that makes it so wonderful for portraits. The images just have this certain... texture, almost? I really don't know. But, I can see something. A quick Google search will take you to posts by others who also observe the same thing. It's a bit like the 3-dimensionality which is most prevalent with shots taken with the 1Ds Mark III. That camera has something that, again, my 5D nor my 5D Mark II can't do. It's why they cost the big bucks! When I get the chance, I will put up two images, side-by-side; one taken with the older camera and one taken with the newer camera. You will note a particular look to one image over the other. That's the 5D magic.
You are right; wedding photography is hard, not just mentally, but, physically, as well. I carry two cameras; one with the 85mm stuck on it predominantly, and, the other I switch between the 24-105 and 70-200. After a day/weekend of carrying them around, you're stuffed. Just as well I've been running and hitting the gym again lately so can put up with it a bit better now than I used to. At the end of the day, my trigger finger would be tingling, my right arm, shoulder and back would be stuffed for a couple of days afterwards.
Greg, I haven't tried the 85mm f/1.2L, but, it's something I'd love to get in the future. The 85mm f/1.8 is ridiculously sharp, even wide open; stop it down to f/2 or f/2.2 and it is superb.
I would stay away from Gumtree. Gumtree: you will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.
Thanks, gents.
H