The right lens for close ups: Ok learning fast, found out the first time I used by Nikon D5300 with the 18-140 lens that the telephoto was not big enough so I bought a refurb. 55-300.

jimbo1 Loc: San Diego, Ca.

Ok learning fast, found out the first time I used by Nikon D5300 with the 18-140 lens that the telephoto was not big enough so I bought a refurb. 55-300.
Now my next problem is with the 18-140 in a average room I cannot get everyone in the picture. So what would be a good telephoto lens for group close ups ? This is a must have because I shoot a group of about 15-40 people and I cannot backup enough to get everybody in the pictures.
Looking forward to your suggestions.
Jimbo1

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Welcome to UHH. I'm not the best one to help you, however, from what you have said, you really don't want a "close up" lens. You want a "wide angle" lens. You should be able to get fairly close with your 18-140 using 18. Have you tried that? The 18-140 is a telephoto lens that extends from a focal length of 18mm to 140mm and anywhere in between. The little number 18 is the widest this lens will go so you might have to move your feet in order to get the group in the shot. If you still cannot get everyone in the shot you will need to provide some more information, i.e., what is the width of the group? How far back can you get? How close are you trying to stand? Lighting may become one of you major concerns for a group that size. You will want the people in the back to be as visible as the people in front. You will enjoy the 55-300 later on but it is not a wide angle lens. Continue to ask questions.

Don L G

jimbo1 wrote:

Ok learning fast, found out the first time I used by Nikon D5300 with the 18-140 lens that the telephoto was not big enough so I bought a refurb. 55-300.
Now my next problem is with the 18-140 in a average room I cannot get everyone in the picture. So what would be a good telephoto lens for group close ups ? This is a must have because I shoot a group of about 15-40 people and I cannot backup enough to get everybody in the pictures.
Looking forward to your suggestions.
Jimbo1

My is only 12'x24' and I do a 35mm 1.8 but my love is the 16-85 Nikon
:thumbup:

jimbo1 Loc: San Diego, Ca.

The problem is the rooms very in size and if I get far enough back than everyone looks to small. So I was hoping for something that would get me close enough but still be wide enough to get the whole group. Size wise we are looking at about 10 people wide and four rows deeps

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

Jimbo, for starters your 5300 has what Nikon calls a DX sensor, otherwise known as a crop sensor. As it pertains to your question, you will need a wider lens to fit everyone in without backing up too far. You will need to start lower than 18mm it seems.

For DX cameras, ultra wide lenses start at 8mm, zooms start at 10mm I think. But if you go too wide you'll have lots of distortion.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

One thing you might consider is renting a lens for this shot. You may even have a photography store in your area that rents lenses by the day. I am planning to rent a 14-24 f2.8 to take with me on a trip.

jimbo1 wrote:

The problem is the rooms very in size and if I get far enough back than everyone looks to small. So I was hoping for something that would get me close enough but still be wide enough to get the whole group. Size wise we are looking at about 10 people wide and four rows deeps

jimbo1 Loc: San Diego, Ca.

Thanks for the help guys I will see if I can find one to rent to try. I hate to buy stuff and than return it.

JimGuy

jimbo1 wrote:

Ok learning fast, found out the first time I used by Nikon D5300 with the 18-140 lens that the telephoto was not big enough so I bought a refurb. 55-300.
Now my next problem is with the 18-140 in a average room I cannot get everyone in the picture. So what would be a good telephoto lens for group close ups ? This is a must have because I shoot a group of about 15-40 people and I cannot backup enough to get everybody in the pictures.
Looking forward to your suggestions.
Jimbo1

Unless Im reading this wrong you dont want a longer (telephoto) lens. You want a wide angle. The dx 18-140 is equivelent to about 27- 210mm in fx. At any rate the 18mm is pretty wide already. You could pick up something like a Tokina 12-24 or another similar one. Keep in mind though, that ultra wide lens's tend to distort more and arent exactly flattering for close ups of people. Group shots may be ok.
From what I hear that 18-140 is a pretty decent lens for what it is. If you can get people to stay very still you could take two shots and stitch them together...overlap 1/3.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

jimbo1 wrote:

The problem is the rooms very in size and if I get far enough back than everyone looks to small. So I was hoping for something that would get me close enough but still be wide enough to get the whole group. Size wise we are looking at about 10 people wide and four rows deeps

Move to a different room.
Arrange the people in a 5x8 or 6x7 instead of 4x10.

You frame dimensions are 3x2. Arrange the people to suit the shape of your photo.
Pay attention to what is in the frame and what isn't. Pay attention to how much wasted room is in your frame.

jimbo1 Loc: San Diego, Ca.

I am going to try this! Thanks

jimbo1 Loc: San Diego, Ca.

The 18-140 seems to be a great lens. Not sure I can get this group to stand still very long. I really want to be able to take a portrait shot. But probably would not use the lens for much else. I think I will try some different things because looking at the prices on wide angles they are not cheap.
Thanks for your help.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

jimbo1 wrote:

The problem is the rooms very in size and if I get far enough back than everyone looks to small. So I was hoping for something that would get me close enough but still be wide enough to get the whole group. Size wise we are looking at about 10 people wide and four rows deeps

I used to get these kinds of questions all the time when I worked in a retail camera shop. The person has a challenging setup like yours and when told what is needed (a wider lens in this case) they look at you in shock and say, "Oh I don't want that - it is too expensive." Unfortunately, that IS the solution to the problem.

In your case, since you cannot get farther away, either buy a wider angle lens or rent one. Renting lenses today is really a pretty good solution for something expensive you only need once or very occasionally. And yes, the people WILL get smaller so just print bigger. :-)

jimbo1 Loc: San Diego, Ca.

Thats what I would love, do you have any suggestions for something in the 200.00 price range. Also it's not for a once or twice thing, I would use it probably 30-40 times a year. My wife has a senior entertainment group and I take all of their performance pictures. So I would get a lot of use out of the wide angle. They are a Not for Profit Group so we do not have a ton of money.
Thanks,
Jimbo1

jimbo1 Loc: San Diego, Ca.

That's what I would love, do you have any suggestions for something in the 200.00 price range. Also it's not for a once or twice thing, I would use it probably 30-40 times a year. My wife has a senior entertainment group and I take all of their performance pictures. So I would get a lot of use out of the wide angle. They are a Not for Profit Group so we do not have a ton of money.
Thanks,
Jimbo1

PeterM Loc: Scio, NY

I have a good low cost solution for your problem. I'll tell you in advance that some will comment on sharpness, but I've had super results using a 0.43X Vivitar axillary lens - it screws into your 52mm threads on your lens and gives a wider field of view. I've also had great results using it for macros. If there is any loss of image quality, I can't tell. See the link below:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0052Z9HZ2/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i04?ie=UTF8&psc=1