lenses for christmas portraits - DPChallenge Forums

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

11/06/2008 07:00:09 PM · #1

Hey everyone!
this coming Christmas season i will be doing some family group portrait sessions, what would you suggest in a lens? i already have a 50mm and i don't know if there is anything better out there for groups of 4 or more, any lens suggestions?

thanks in advance!

Leanna

EDIT TO ADD:

OOPSS SORRY I FORGOT ABOUT THE SUBJECT LINE BEFORE I POSTED! SORRY!!

Message edited by author 2008-11-06 19:00:48.

Mephisto

Nikon Coolpix A

11/06/2008 07:09:00 PM · #2

first off, BEST THREAD TITLE EVER! lol

as for the lens, i think for 4 people you'll be fine with a 50mm, you might be better off with with a lil wider lens tho (depending on how spacey your studio is). maybe a 30 or 35mm prime or something like a 28-75mm zoom should be perfect.

goinskiing

Canon EOS-6D

11/06/2008 07:09:49 PM · #3

The Canon 17-40 F4L is a fantastic group lens. Another one I am keeping my eye on.

goinskiing

Canon EOS-6D

11/06/2008 07:10:48 PM · #4

Originally posted by Mephisto:

Oh, the Tamron 28-75 F2.8 is one I have used for group shots. It's just a good all-around lens with great clarity.

Simms

11/06/2008 07:21:46 PM · #5

Originally posted by goinskiing:

Originally posted by Mephisto:
first off, BEST THREAD TITLE EVER! lol

as for the lens, i think for 4 people you'll be fine with a 50mm, you might be better off with with a lil wider lens tho (depending on how spacey your studio is). maybe a 30 or 35mm prime or something like a 28-75mm zoom should be perfect.

Oh, the Tamron 28-75 F2.8 is one I have used for group shots. It's just a good all-around lens with great clarity.

I'll second that.. great value for money..

PhotoDave

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

11/06/2008 07:34:46 PM · #6

Originally posted by goinskiing:

The Canon 17-40 F4L is a fantastic group lens. Another one I am keeping my eye on.

I havent used the Tamron but I do have the 17-40 F4L and its an awesome lens even if you try to drown it in a glacial river lol and its tack sharp...

11/06/2008 08:40:23 PM · #7

thanks everyone! :] ill keep you updated on what i choose! as for now...gotta research on these lenses...

11/06/2008 08:47:45 PM · #8

even if you try to drown it in a glacial river

hmm

dknourek...i think i need to hear the story behind this one...

PhotoDave

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

11/06/2008 09:27:20 PM · #9

Its not really an event I want to remember but since you asked, late Sept 2007 I was at the junction where 2 large glacial rivers meet, well it was unusually warm and it had rained for a couple days so the rivers were higher than normal. So between the raging river and the large jagged rocks in and around the river I figured it would make for good photos. So one thing lead to the other I got brave and climbed out on to the rocks further and further till I was dam near in the middle of the river. The last rock I wanted to get to was my demise, I got on to it and while trying to gain my balance I slipped off of the wet rock and in I went. At first I only sunk up to about 3/4 the way up my legs but there was a surge in the water and it felt like someone grabbed my ankles and yanked and started instantly going down stream but thankfully I got stuck between 2 big rocks and managed to pull myself up on to one, at which time I noticed my camera strap going by me. Me being the idiot I am let go with one hand and managed to grab the strap. Thankfully I managed to hang on and got myself out of the incredibly cold river of which is fed by a massive glacier just a few miles up stream. When I got to shore I immediately pulled the batteries from the camera and removed the lens which I was sure both were going to be toast as when I took the lens off of my camera quite a bit of water came out. Anyway when I got home I knew that Canon prob wouldn't even look at the camera so I pulled what I could apart and put the pieces inside one of my file servers to dry out (hot with lots a airflow). The lens I sent in to Canon in hopes they could clean and repair if needed. They told me the only thing I could do was buy a new lens. I told them just send the old lens back. I figured I had noting to loose so I completely disassembled the lens and cleaned what I could up and put it back together and just over a year since BOTH the lens and the camera still work.

Heres the 17-40mm F4L completely disassembled

gg3rd

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM

11/06/2008 09:41:39 PM · #10

Amazing you put them back to work!

Looking at this one dismantled, makes one appreciate more the technology & know-how behind these glasses, and their prices.

Originally posted by dknourek:

... and just over a year since BOTH the lens and the camera still work.

Heres the 17-40mm F4L completely disassembled

11/06/2008 11:57:46 PM · #11

haha wow. thats insane that they are still both working!! hah wow!!

11/07/2008 12:17:29 AM · #12

okay so i think i've decided on Tamron AF 28-75mm

its on sale on amazon right now... at $344....so should i go for it?

any last minute suggestions?

thanks again for all the help!

Ken

Canon EOS-7D

11/07/2008 12:36:31 AM · #13

That's a good lens for the money and is very lightweight compared to the Canon 24-70 2.8.

Somebody just posted a used one in the buy/sell section for $300 if you're interested.

jose3032

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

11/13/2008 12:01:39 PM · #14

I am also looking for a good lens to take group pictures, but I have a bit larger group in mind. What kind of lens would you suggest for portraits of groups of 20 or more? I'd like to be as close as possible without cutting anyone out or making it looked cramped.

goinskiing

Canon EOS-6D