Lens Advice Needed...& a tip

[Jaggz]

I have been given the opportunity to do a shoot out at NAS JRB... the shoot will be for a family, and they're wanting to use one of the images for their Christmas cards. The specifics are this - family of four, and an airplane, a C-40. I was thinking, I may need a fisheye, or a super-wide angle lens in order to capture the plane as well as the family. I am pretty limited to my lens selections, as I currently only own, 50mm f/1.8, 70-200mm f/2.8 & a nikkor 28-80 f/3.3-5.6.

Also, where in Fort Worth or surrounding area, can I rent a lens required for this shoot?!? Any and all advice is appreciated - thanks!

Jake~

[Debbi]

If you are looking for a really wide lens, I have a Sigma 10-20 for Nikon that you are welcome to borrow. How quickly would you need it? My brother is a FW firefighter so I could get it to you that way, if you want. Otherwise, Fort Worth Camera on 7th street rents lenses.

Debbi

[Jaggz]

Originally Posted by dblank12

If you are looking for a really wide lens, I have a Sigma 10-20 for Nikon that you are welcome to borrow. How quickly would you need it? My brother is a FW firefighter so I could get it to you that way, if you want. Otherwise, Fort Worth Camera on 7th street rents lenses.

Debbi

Thanks Debbi! - The shoot is set for the 10th, if the plane is still on schedule to be here that day. Thanks for the offer - I'll probably decide which way to go in a few days!

[Debbi]

OK. Just let me know - it's a great lens! I work in FTW so getting it to you wouldn't be a problem.

[athompson]

Jake: fortunately the C40/B737 is fairly close to the ground. From the right angle (shooting up from kneeling, aim along fuselage, portrait orientation) should be able to get family and side of aircraft plus tail.
If you want to get more of the aircraft and still keep the people a decent size in the image, th 10-20 might be the way to go.
Otherwise the 50 and/or 28-80 should work.
Engines are down low too.
If the airstairs will be down and you can get a higher vantage point (nearby piece of cargo loading equip), put them near the door?
Family is going to be pretty small if they want a lot of the aircraft in the picture.
-ANDY (previous airline employee)

(No, I'm not suggesting clambering over equipment!

[Jaggz]

Great advice Andy - thanks for the tips!!! Also, thank Debbi for offering - I'm near Meacham airport, so we could work something if I go that route - thanks again!

[CaptainTom]

Just so you can figure your perspectives. This is a 727/200 using my 17-40 at 17 on Canon.
You can see that if you want to get a lot of the plane in you will need to go really wide.
The 10mm will have distortion, but you may be able to make it work to your benefit.
I would try using some perspective tricks, and shooting the family a good distance from the aircraft, using a very small aperture for DOF. Secondly I would consider some sort of composite photos.

[Jaggz]

OK - Wow, it seems to me, that they are going to need to pick which is their priority - the family, or the plane - because it doesn't seem that I could get the plane and the family. From that distance, it'll be hard to determine who it is in the photo. I'm gonna have to be creative with some shots and try to wow them with those!

Thanks for the pic Tom - that really gives me a heads-up!

[bondarnes]

If this were my shoot I would find out how much of the plane they want to show. Then using the widest lens you currently own move back until you have that view. Then I would position the family near the camera to create a pleasing family grouping. The plane now becomes the background. Focus on the family and use the appropriate aperture to bring the plane into relative focus. If you can borrow a wider lens that will give you something else to play with, but you should be able to do it with what you have.

[Jaggz]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

If this were my shoot I would find out how much of the plane they want to show. Then using the widest lens you currently own move back until you have that view. Then I would position the family near the camera to create a pleasing family grouping. The plane now becomes the background. Focus on the family and use the appropriate aperture to bring the plane into relative focus. If you can borrow a wider lens that will give you something else to play with, but you should be able to do it with what you have.

Right on - that's exactly what I was thinking. I just spoke with John from Ft. Worth Camera; they have the nikon 12-24mm lens that I can rent for $40 over a weekend - so I may grab it just to "play" with a couple shots and see what I can come up with.

[Jake]

I have rented from Ft Worth Camera quite a few time, they are great.
But it looks like you have some great tips already and maybe even a lens to use so that probably wont need to go there.

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

If this were my shoot I would find out how much of the plane they want to show. Then using the widest lens you currently own move back until you have that view. Then I would position the family near the camera to create a pleasing family grouping. The plane now becomes the background. Focus on the family and use the appropriate aperture to bring the plane into relative focus. If you can borrow a wider lens that will give you something else to play with, but you should be able to do it with what you have.

That's what I was trying to say, but Don said it much better.