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Advice on choosing a lens for a group photo
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Oct 14, 2016 21:39:31   #
CKBailey Loc: Omaha
 
I am seeking advice and wisdom on a lens choice :)  I have been asked to take a family photo.  The group is 7 adults and 2 small children.  The shoot will be outside so there is plenty of room to move around.  I will be using a full frame camera and I have a f1.8 50mm, f1.8 85mm, and my kit lens f4 24-120mm, OR I could rent a lens.  Any thoughts on this?
Thank you

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Oct 14, 2016 21:44:22   #
WayneT Loc: Paris, TN
 
If you have plenty of room as you say, I would use the 50mm.

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Oct 14, 2016 21:49:51   #
Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida
 
35mm.

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Oct 14, 2016 21:51:19   #
RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA
 
CKBailey wrote:
I am seeking advice and wisdom on a lens choice :)  I have been asked to take a family photo.  The group is 7 adults and 2 small children.  The shoot will be outside so there is plenty of room to move around.  I will be using a full frame camera and I have a f1.8 50mm, f1.8 85mm, and my kit lens f4 24-120mm, OR I could rent a lens.  Any thoughts on this?
Thank you

My preference would be the 85, although your 24-120 would be more versatile. I’d keep it above 70mm or so if at all possible.

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Oct 14, 2016 21:51:26   #
RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia
 
Either the 50mm or 24-120 should be fine.

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Oct 14, 2016 21:52:24   #
Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho
 
I would use the 85/108G and back off. I would also have my bag with the other glass there. Have you thought of doing a dry run, story board shots sequence and doing straight to something fun.

You have fun also.

J. R.

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Oct 14, 2016 22:03:50   #
melismus Loc: Chesapeake Bay Country
 
A wide lens close-in produces a picture quite different from that of a long lens at greater distance. I suggest you shoot frame-filling shots with all your lenses and see which you and the group like best.

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Oct 14, 2016 22:37:23   #
PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago
 
CK, Since you are working outdoors you have plenty of room. Save your money on rental and use your fine glass, f1.8 50mm, f1.8 85mm. Have a great shoot.
CKBailey wrote:
I am seeking advice and wisdom on a lens choice :)  I have been asked to take a family photo.  The group is 7 adults and 2 small children.  The shoot will be outside so there is plenty of room to move around.  I will be using a full frame camera and I have a f1.8 50mm, f1.8 85mm, and my kit lens f4 24-120mm, OR I could rent a lens.  Any thoughts on this?
Thank you

Reply
Oct 14, 2016 23:13:44   #
Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska
 
CKBailey wrote:
I am seeking advice and wisdom on a lens choice :)  I have been asked to take a family photo.  The group is 7 adults and 2 small children.  The shoot will be outside so there is plenty of room to move around.  I will be using a full frame camera and I have a f1.8 50mm, f1.8 85mm, and my kit lens f4 24-120mm, OR I could rent a lens.  Any thoughts on this?
Thank you

Use the 24-120mm f/4. But use it right...

Set up your composition as you want, then choose a location that gives you the perspective you want. Of course those two interact a bit, so it may take some adjustment back and forth to get what you want.

Then and only then do you want to look through a viewfinder and use the zoom to get the framing you want by changing the focal length. Do not adjust framing by changing camera location because that changes the perspective.

The 24-120mm f/4 will almost certainly provide whatever focal length is needed, and it is a quality lens that will produce a good image.

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Oct 15, 2016 00:36:27   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 
Apaflo wrote:
Use the 24-120mm f/4. But use it right...

Set up your composition as you want, then choose a location that gives you the perspective you want. Of course those two interact a bit, so it may take some adjustment back and forth to get what you want.

Then and only then do you want to look through a viewfinder and use the zoom to get the framing you want by changing the focal length. Do not adjust framing by changing camera location because that changes the perspective.

The 24-120mm f/4 will almost certainly provide whatever focal length is needed, and it is a quality lens that will produce a good image.
Use the 24-120mm f/4. But use it right... br br ... (show quote)



The 24-120 f/4 has become one of my favorite lenses!
I would consider bringing my 80-200 as well though.

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Oct 15, 2016 01:18:40   #
Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska
 
GoofyNewfie wrote:

The 24-120 f/4 has become one of my favorite lenses!
I would consider bringing my 80-200 as well though.

The OP didn't mention having a zoom out to 200mm, but that probably should be on the list for the next GAS attack!

Certainly for those who have an 80-200mm or something similar, that is very likely to be a potential choice if the 120mm zoom doesn't quite give the range needed. I'd actually far prefer a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens set to anything over about 105mm if that turns out to be the right framing, but there's probably no need to buy or rent one just for this.

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Oct 15, 2016 03:44:47   #
Leicaflex Loc: Cymru
 
Your 24-120mm at 24mm end is more than adequate.

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Oct 15, 2016 05:54:11   #
John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK
 
I'd go 85 myself.

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Oct 15, 2016 06:14:32   #
Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina
 
With a group of people I would add a suggestion that you shoot a burst of 3-4 shots each time you take a photo. Assuming you are not using flash with the shoot. The burst improves your chance of not getting someone with their eyes closed or looking off somewhere. Just my suggestion.

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

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Oct 15, 2016 06:19:19   #
Robert R Loc: Indianapolis and Naples
 
Using fill in flash?

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