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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Wide enough for large groups...

 
 


eppievojt
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Apr 19, 2007, 7:46 PM

Post #1 of 17 (1223 views)
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Wide enough for large groups... Can't Post
I'm in the market for a new lens that is wide enough to get nice large group photos, and I'm curious as to the widest lens that would be effective for this purpose (without introducing distortion). Some backstory - I'm shooting with a Nikon body, so I'm looking at a 1.5x multiplier on any lens I select. I'm assuming that anything wider than 35mm effective (after 1.5x multiplier) will start to show distortion at the edges, correct? So is 24mm as wide as I should look, or can I get away with a wider lens?

I'm very curious to learn what others use for this purpose. I ask primarily for use in a studio, where distance from subject will be harder to extend than it would for outside shots or photos taken in a church. If you have a lens you love for this purpose, don't hesitate to share make and model. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Eppie


Scott Brooks
Veteran

Apr 19, 2007, 9:30 PM

Post #2 of 17 (1217 views)
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Re: [eppievojt] Wide enough for large groups... [In reply to] Can't Post
I'm using Canon, but I have a 17-55 that's good for groups of just about any size. I've started using it as my primary lens for formals. Keep in mind this is in a wedding situation.

As of right now I don't have a studio although I'm considering moving furniture around to open up a small, 12x14 space.


Brackish
Veteran


Apr 20, 2007, 2:23 AM

Post #3 of 17 (1196 views)
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Re: [Sparky] Wide enough for large groups... [In reply to] Can't Post
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I'm using Canon, but I have a 17-55 that's good for groups of just about any size.
 For the medium and large groups in the church, are you finding yourself pulled back all the way to 17? Or what do you end up shooting at? Thanks in advance. Sly






videochicke
Veteran


Apr 20, 2007, 10:50 AM

Post #4 of 17 (1174 views)
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Re: [eppievojt] Wide enough for large groups... [In reply to] Can't Post
The widest I can go at this point is 24mm and it is often not wide enough. Big groups at church are not the problem. It is big groups at reception halls where there is no room to back up. "We want a picture of our entire bridal party on the steps". And just past the bottom of the staircase is a wall. Or perhaps you want a full length shot of the bride in a tight space.
Julie


Brackish
Veteran


Apr 20, 2007, 11:01 AM

Post #5 of 17 (1173 views)
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Re: [videochicke] Wide enough for large groups... [In reply to] Can't Post
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The widest I can go at this point is 24mm and it is often not wide enough.
 Hi, Julie. Are you talking 24mm wide as "35mm equivalent"? Or are you maybe using like a 24-70 on a 30D?






StillMotion
User

Apr 20, 2007, 11:29 AM

Post #6 of 17 (1172 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Wide enough for large groups... [In reply to] Can't Post
We use the Canon 16-35 f2.8 for group shots. On a FF digital body such as the 5d, the wide end is very wide, but there is some distortion. The new USM 11 version of the lens is very good at the edges in terms of bluriness and overall, both version are very good lenses. I think distrotion can be you friend, just know how to work with it, when it works and when it doesn't. Zooming in only slightly with this lens still gives you a very wide shot and no distortion, plus it is very bright.

Other than that, the 35,, f1.4 is great- and I know somebody that has a nearly new one for sale. Perfect if you have do formals in the church with very little light.


Postal Boy
Veteran


Apr 20, 2007, 1:05 PM

Post #7 of 17 (1167 views)
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Re: [StillMotion] Wide enough for large groups... [In reply to] Can't Post
In a tight spot, I have taken multiple pictures (Left side, Middle, Right side) and spliced them in Canon's Photostitch application. Not the easiest workflow, but it can help in a tight spot.

-Postal


videochicke
Veteran


Apr 20, 2007, 1:18 PM

Post #8 of 17 (1166 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Wide enough for large groups... [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
In Reply To
The widest I can go at this point is 24mm and it is often not wide enough.
Hi, Julie. Are you talking 24mm wide as "35mm equivalent"? Or are you maybe using like a 24-70 on a 30D?
The lens is a 24-85 on a 20D. Just can't get back far enough with it in a tight house at times.
Julie


Scott Brooks
Veteran

Apr 20, 2007, 3:21 PM

Post #9 of 17 (1157 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Wide enough for large groups... [In reply to] Can't Post
Rarely ... but of course it depends where you're standing. Largest group so far has probably only been about thirty and I probably took that with a 28-75. The main reason I picked up the 17-55 was that I couldn't get the room I needed during the cake cutting ... too many guests crowding me out.

I now just carry three lenses on three bodies and never switch them out ... 15-55, 28-75, 70-200.


Brackish
Veteran


Apr 20, 2007, 10:59 PM

Post #10 of 17 (1142 views)
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Re: [videochicke] Wide enough for large groups... [In reply to] Can't Post
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The lens is a 24-85 on a 20D. Just can't get back far enough with it in a tight house at times.
Okay, so that's about 35mm equivalent.






eppievojt
User

Apr 21, 2007, 1:09 PM

Post #11 of 17 (1132 views)
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Re: [StillMotion] Wide enough for large groups... [In reply to] Can't Post
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We use the Canon 16-35 f2.8 for group shots. On a FF digital body such as the 5d, the wide end is very wide, but there is some distortion. The new USM 11 version of the lens is very good at the edges in terms of bluriness and overall, both version are very good lenses. I think distrotion can be you friend, just know how to work with it, when it works and when it doesn't. Zooming in only slightly with this lens still gives you a very wide shot and no distortion, plus it is very bright.

Other than that, the 35,, f1.4 is great- and I know somebody that has a nearly new one for sale. Perfect if you have do formals in the church with very little light.

Thanks for the great information everyone! Seems like a lot of us are struggling to get a wide enough lens for some of these group shots. That Canon 16-36 sounds phenomenal, especially on a full frame body. Given that I'm a Nikon guy, it's out of the question for me, but the information still helps. Knowing that shooting around 20-25mm effective can yield a reasonable image in terms of amount of distortion is what I hoped to find out.

Obviously, not all glass is created equal, so I may see more distortion than you see with the Canon, but I think I'm going to acquire a Sigma 10-20mm lens. I'm thinking that at 15-20mm (22-30 effective), I should have a reasonable image for group photos, based on pics I viewed on pbase taken with this lens. The 10mm end should be really nice for architectural images and landscapes. Should be quite versatile (and pretty cheap at $500). Now I just need to find it in stock somewhere. My favorites (B&H, Adorama, Ritz Camera) are all out of stock, and I'd like to get the lens quickly. Unsure

Any vendor recommendations?


StillMotion
User

Apr 21, 2007, 1:14 PM

Post #12 of 17 (1130 views)
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Re: [eppievojt] Wide enough for large groups... [In reply to] Can't Post
We just switched from Nikon to Canon (as the practical low light difference of 3-4 stops was just too much) but when we were shooting with Nikon the 17-35 f2.8 was our main lens for group shots. On a body like the D200, it is plenty wide enough for large group shots and the lens is optically very tough to beat.

Patrick


Brackish
Veteran


Apr 21, 2007, 1:29 PM

Post #13 of 17 (1125 views)
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Re: [eppievojt] Wide enough for large groups... [In reply to] Can't Post
I've heard good things about Tallyn's:

http://www.tallyns.com/...2D306&eq=&Tp=


eppievojt
User

Apr 23, 2007, 4:10 PM

Post #14 of 17 (1086 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Wide enough for large groups... [In reply to] Can't Post
Brack- thanks for the link. Placed an order today.

I'm like a kid on Christmas Eve waiting for this lens to get here. Hopefully it performs well enough in the 17-20mm range for large group photos. I know that 10-14mm will get tons of use for architectural shots.


Brackish
Veteran


Apr 24, 2007, 1:48 AM

Post #15 of 17 (1061 views)
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Re: [eppievojt] Wide enough for large groups... [In reply to] Can't Post
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Brack- thanks for the link. Placed an order today.
 Glad I could help out, eppie. Let me know how it goes with them. I've got my eye on the new Canon 580 flash and the Tallyn's price is a lot less than B&H. I'd like to go with B&H but the with the significant difference in price ...






Brackish
Veteran


Apr 24, 2007, 4:18 AM

Post #16 of 17 (1055 views)
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Re: [Sparky] Wide enough for large groups... [In reply to] Can't Post
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The main reason I picked up the 17-55 was that I couldn't get the room I needed during the cake cutting ... too many guests crowding me out.
 I know what you mean here, Sparky. Sometimes I use an ultra-wide lens for video coverage of the cake cutting.






Brackish
Veteran


Apr 24, 2007, 4:25 AM

Post #17 of 17 (1054 views)
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Re: [eppievojt] Wide enough for large groups... [In reply to] Can't Post
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The 10mm end should be really nice for architectural images and landscapes.
I know. Those ultra-wides are nice for architectural work.
I often use an ultra-wide for my video coverage of
architecture but I don't have an ultra-wide for stills work - but
I've been looking around at the options.

Another area I'd like an ultra-wide stills lens for is
coverage of inside the limo.