Lens questions for our 2nd bridal shoot

[pas]

Hello, I currently have a d80, 85mm, 18-135 and 55-200. Our 1st session a few weeks ago, we shot almost all with the 85. My question is, was this the best lens? Rather, when would be the best scenerios for the lenses I currently have? We are new, of course, and I find my self moving in and out alot with the 85 but seems to better with the close ups. Also, turning the camera to portrait seems to end up with really "narrow" images. I take advice well, thanks pro's!

[bondarnes]

For the first 35 years of my photography career I only used prime (single focal length) lenses so I learned to use the "foot zoom" quite well. In this situation you probably used the best lens.

As far as your comment about the "narrow" image in the vertical position; it is the same in horizontal, but you just don't notice it as much. If you made a full frame 8 inch print the other dimension would be 12 inches. Not too many 8X12 frames around. I have 8X10 crop lines in all of my cameras so that I can see what will crop out when printed to 8X10.

[pas]

Thanks a lot. "foot zoom"

[ngoduyviet]

To add more to Don's post. The 85 is the best for portraits also because it compresses the background, and with its wide open aperture, your subject(s) will pop a lot more. In this case, it was the best lens for you.

I started out much later, and was spoiled with auto focus & zoom but now I'm moving back to primes more. One of my main wedding lenses is the 85.

[SevenAndMe]

A 28-70/f2.8 would be a good complement to the 85mm for weddings.
Good luck.

IMHO

[khanhfat]

Originally Posted by ngoduyviet

To add more to Don's post. The 85 is the best for portraits also because it compresses the background, and with its wide open aperture, your subject(s) will pop a lot more. In this case, it was the best lens for you.

I started out much later, and was spoiled with auto focus & zoom but now I'm moving back to primes more. One of my main wedding lenses is the 85.

baller with 85 1.2? :D

I'm moving to Prime lenses as well I got the 70 200 then it ended up too bulky to shoot- carry with , and got a lot of attention if you do a small photoshoot in public places.

To me prime lenses is really the heart of photography hahaha :). Bokeh and quality of sharpness + wide open aperture beyond 2.8 is awesome.

[ngoduyviet]

Originally Posted by khanhfat

baller with 85 1.2? :D

I'm moving to Prime lenses as well I got the 70 200 then it ended up too bulky to shoot- carry with , and got a lot of attention if you do a small photoshoot in public places.

To me prime lenses is really the heart of photography hahaha :). Bokeh and quality of sharpness + wide open aperture beyond 2.8 is awesome.

baller? no idea whatcha talking about, but ya I love my 85L mk2. Sold the 85 1.8, and the 85L mk1 was too slow for wedding work so I bought the mk2.

I haven't seen better bokeh from any of the Canon line of lenses against the mk2. I've seen really good bokeh from other brands that can rival the Canon / Nikon 85 though.

[khanhfat]

Originally Posted by ngoduyviet

I haven't seen better bokeh from any of the Canon line of lenses against the mk2. I've seen really good bokeh from other brands that can rival the Canon / Nikon 85 though.

Nice to hear i'll buy a 85 1.2 someday. I heard alot of ppl complain that the 85 focus kinda slow .. .how slow is it though can you give some comparison with other lens like tamron, kit lens ...etc? we should meet up and shoot sometime hehehe

[toverman]

I love my 85 f/1.8 for portraits, but it's a little long for a group portrait. I like my 70-200 f/2.8 for its versatility (being able to do a full-length shot and then zooming in for a facial closeup).

[pas]

I am getting familiar practicing my off camera flash and can't get the SS to go faster than 200 in manual. Any one knows why this is? d80 with sb600, It's shooting nice pics but trouble with SS.

Also, shoud I be increasing my ISO in Low light, such as the churches?

[toverman]

Originally Posted by pas

I am getting familiar practicing my off camera flash and can't get the SS to go faster than 200 in manual. Any one knows why this is? d80 with sb600, It's shooting nice pics but trouble with SS.

Also, shoud I be increasing my ISO in Low light, such as the churches?

Most cameras have a "sync speed," which is the fastest shutter speed you can normally use with a flash for it to work properly. There is the possibility that you can set both your flash and camera for "high-speed sync," which will allow you faster shutter speeds ... just realize the flash output is reduced because it will be quick bursts of light that are captured. Another technique is called "dragging the shutter," where you use a slower speed with a flash to collect more of the ambient light, too.

One of the great things about digital is being able to change your ISO at any time. In the film days, it meant loading and unloading different films to achieve the same effect. A lower ISO number is used when there is plenty of light; a higher number when it's dark ... the caveat is that high-ISO exposures can collect digital "noise" and not look so good.

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by pas

I am getting familiar practicing my off camera flash and can't get the SS to go faster than 200 in manual. Any one knows why this is? d80 with sb600, It's shooting nice pics but trouble with SS.

Also, should I be increasing my ISO in Low light, such as the churches?

On your camera 1/200th sec. is the fastest shutter speed available where the leading shutter curtain is fully open and the trailing curtain has not started to close. Above this speed a portion of the sensor would already be covered by the trailing curtain at the instant the leading curtain reached maximum open and the flash fires. I'm not sure why you would want a higher shutter speed. When using flash it doesn't matter much unless you have a lot of ambient light. The flash itself fires in less than 1/500th sec. so in essence that becomes your shutter speed. Only ambient light records to the sensor once the flash shuts off.

Please tell me that with questions like these you are not attempting to do weddings!!

[pas]

Thanks for the explanation. We shot like that all day with the remote flash for the bridal and the images came out great.
And oh yeah, we will primarily be weddings. You have to start some where and these days, time is money, you have to go get it!!

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by pas

And oh yeah, we will primarily be weddings. You have to start some where and these days, time is money, you have to go get it!!

I hope you have great insurance because I can see a disaster in your future. You want to tackle the most difficult area of photography and you don't even know how your equipment works.

[CaptainTom]

What's to know ?
You just plunk down a credit card, pick up the camera and open a business.
That's how it's done nowadays.

I'm just glad that this thinking doesn't transfer to being a pilot, a surgeon, or even a chef.

Some level of basic training is required for every other occupation, but not photography. I guess that's what the P on the camera is for-- professional.

These guys will be selling all their fancy expensive equipment soon anyways, as soon as they find out there is more to it than collecting the money.