Group lens?

[cvalene]

I'm not very experienced with different lenses at all and I'm pretty new to portraits (have 2 18-55mm and 1 55-200mm) so I'm asking for a bit of help on this.

I have a family photo shoot coming up, I'd say there's going to be roughly 15 people in the shot.

What lens would assure I get the best outcome?
I've heard great things about the 50mm but is that good for this big of a group?

Thank you,
Cherese

[venchka]

It depends. How will they be arranged? 2 rows? 3 rows? Indoors? Outdoors?
I would be more concerned about all the eyes being open and all the smiles being perfect. And the lighting.
As long as you can move around a bit, an 18-55 & 55-200 will be fine. One of them anyway. Assuming you have enough light and ISO for slow zoom lenses.
Good luck.

[venchka]

ps: If using one of your zoom lenses, use the longest focal length possible to avoid distortion around the edges.

[cvalene]

Ah, that's true. I'm just trying to perfect things before hand. There's going to be around 5 kiddos. Whew.

Thank you!

[Tom]

Any lens will work, though I suggest something in the 50-135mm range. The real problem is lighting that many people evenly. You use use an aperture around 8 or 9 to get a deeper DOF - so everyone can be in focus.

[hitek_man_vn]

The beauty Sigma 10-20mm will work fabulously. If you need to borrow, shoot me a pm. Good luck

[tc95]

Cherese...I would first figure out which camera you like better I know you have both Nikon and Canon...if you want a lens that will work with both...and don't mind MF (Manual Focus)...the Tamron Adaptall 17mm is a good lens and you can usually pick it up around 200-300...the nice thing about it is that you can pick-up an adapter to fit-it to your Nikon/Canon bodies....but you are completely in Manual mode when you shoot and the lens is completely manual....not a bad thing...but you just have to get used to it....

If not...I would figure out which camera system you want to use for these types of shots...and invest in a good wide-angle Sigma/Tamron/Canon/Nikon....

On your question on the 50...go with a 30 or 35....just gives you the little extra you may need....

Good Luck...

[venchka]

Originally Posted by tc95

...On your question on the 50...go with a 30 or 35....just gives you the little extra you may need....

Good Luck...

Owning the best possible 35mm lens made for a full frame camera that you can afford is a good thing. Even a GREAT thing! Yes, it will work for your group. Just pack them close together and back up a bit.

[cvalene]

The real problem is lighting that many people evenly. You use use an aperture around 8 or 9 to get a deeper DOF - so everyone can be in focus.

Thanks, that was a big worry of mine. I'm getting some lighting for fill, we're going to be outside, most likely later in the day where the lighting isn't very harsh.

If you need to borrow, shoot me a pm. Good luck

I can actually rent that from a local store- thanks for the suggestion and offer. I'll take a look at it. :)

Cherese...I would first figure out which camera you like better I know you have both Nikon and Canon...if you want a lens that will work with both...and don't mind MF (Manual Focus)...the Tamron Adaptall 17mm is a good lens and you can usually pick it up around 200-300...the nice thing about it is that you can pick-up an adapter to fit-it to your Nikon/Canon bodies....but you are completely in Manual mode when you shoot and the lens is completely manual....not a bad thing...but you just have to get used to it....

If not...I would figure out which camera system you want to use for these types of shots...and invest in a good wide-angle Sigma/Tamron/Canon/Nikon....

On your question on the 50...go with a 30 or 35....just gives you the little extra you may need....

Good Luck...

Thanks for all the tips. I'm thinking I'm going to use the canon just because I have had better outcomes with it (although I dreaded using the canon at first) I'm able to rent lenses for very little so I'll give those a look.


Thanks to all of you for all your help!
Cherese

[venchka]

A longer focal length always makes folks look better.

[cvalene]

I just made a very long post about the full specifications of this shoot.. if any of you would like to look and offer up some suggestions? Pretty please?

[lfmerrell]

One of our camera club gurus recommended panoramas for group photos. Camera oriented vertically. Me I do not know. He also mentioned he then had spare heads to work with in post processing.