jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

I have been wanting to add a wide angle lens to my bag for weddings. However, this new Nikon DL series wide angle camera keeps growing on me. I can see having this hanging from my neck or in a pocket easily available for the wide angle shots.

What do you think? Am I missing something. The image quality should be excellent in low light.

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/premium-compact-cameras/dl18-50-f%252f1.8-2.8.html#

DrCoy Loc: Reidsville, NC

I would not use it for weddings. You just don't have the full control for weddings.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

I have a 11-19 on a crop frame camera that I use for a few shots at Weddings. I use them for a couple of shots of the Ceremony. Some dressing rooms are so small you need them to get all bridesmaids etc. in. Sometimes for an overall view of the reception. I may do 3% of the shots on the days I use it a lot. Nice to have but not a real need for one. - Dave

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

This is a pro level camera (Nikon description) with all the controls available on current DSLRS.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

All that is true. I am probably just having a GAS attack. Nikon just announced that the DL series would be delayed until some point after June anyway. I may be over it by then.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Jay, you aren't the only one. I've been wavering back and forth between another lens, and needing to switch lenses, and a dedicated wide angle camera. I haven't had a 10mm wide lens since my Canon days. I didn't use it much, but there were times that I would have killed to have one available when you are in a small dressing room, etc.

The only reason I didn't actually take the leap is that I ended up figuring out that I would be lucky if I used it for a few shots at a wedding, and are these shots that I would end up selling or making money with it? For now, I'm just being creative and either stitching together a few photos, or concentrating on the bride, and just asking the bridesmaids to move closer if needed. So far, it's working. Rarely do brides pick the dressing room photos as a part of the package, and I've found ways around when my 18mm isn't quite wide enough, that I have been able to hold off on actually spending the money.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Well confession time. What really motivated me was our trip to the Biltmore this past week. Their photography policy prohibited DSLR cameras, but allowed compact cameras. So, not only weddings, but I want this camera for travel and other venue opportunities where a smaller camera would be perfect.

Good end to the story though. They recently made an exception to their policy and let me take my full frame in :)

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

One shot I like a Wide-angle lens for is have the bride put her hand on top of grooms showing off the ring. And then have them hold it out and put their heads together. This makes the ring very big and the B&G in the background. I do use this for engagement pictures more than at Weddings. - Dave

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

That sounds like a great way to show off the size of the ring/diamond. Would you mind posting?

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

You're killing me Dave :-), just when I talk myself out of something, someone like you comes up with another reason why I should open it back up for consideration.

I agree, would love to see some examples. (or, maybe not, my wallet can't handle it right now)

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I have a full compliment of wide angle lenses that are routinely used in my commercial work, mainly for architectural interior and exterior assignments. I do pack a few of them for wedding photography but there are some considerations that should be discussed before purchasing one and making a major investment if most of your work is in wedding photography and portraiture.

I sell mostly ALBUM packages so I find that shooting panoramic compositions (with wide angle lenses) that help me create two-page spreads and "centerfold" kind of images are very desirable and popular in album designing.

My wide angle usage at weddings is twofold; I like them for church interiors and some all-over kinda shots of church exteriors. I also like a moderate wide angle for candid shots in crowded situations. I generally will go to a focal length of 35mm if people are included in those candid shots and very occasionally may go as wide as 24mm. At those focal lengths, I can control and avoid distortion by keeping the camera perpendicular and parallel, that is no tilting of the camera up or down. I also avoid placing people at the edges of the frame to avoid distortion of their bodies or faces. I will occasionally use an 18mm focal length or even a fisheye but these applications are usually confined to special effects.

I can employ some of theses wide angle focal lengths for some formals and groups, in close or tight quarters, however, I must be especially careful to avoid foreshortening by not tilting the camera as mentioned above. If I end up with too much sky and ground or floor and ceiling in the composition, I address theses issues in cropping afterward in post production. In full-length portraits and groups, I usually maintain a camera position at the subject's waist level.

All of the focal lengths mentioned pertain to a full frame 35mm body. For those who use a cropped sensor, you have to figure in the 1.5 magnification factor.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Were talking Nikon here and I'm a Canon snapper .......... but

Ed is tack on ...........

Personally if I'm shooting wide with people in the frame I won't go wider than 22mm. 22 as I would be using my 10-18mm EF-s at 14mm with a crop factor of 1.6X which = 22.4mm

Another words when I go wide and use a lens where I'm not going to be on the fringes but in the center range as there is typically less distortion. And as Ed stated you keep the lens flat to the subject, no tilting of the lens vertical or horizontal ........... unless your wanting it for artistic reasons.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Ed is always tack on. Much of photography is subjective and generates much discussion of opinions, but when Ed speaks everyone listens and thinks "oh yeah, that makes sense".

Anyway, I am glad my GAS attack led to this wide angle discussion. I agree with all the advise to avoid distortion with people. Years ago, I was just beginning to learn wedding photography and a friend invited me to come along as the third photographer. Since two were plenty I left my wide angle (11-16 Tokina) on most of the time just to see what I could get. The people shots were interesting but too much distortion. I did stumble onto this shot. The bride kneeled on to a red carpet. I just stood over her with my wide angle. My on camera speed light flipped when I went vertical creating an interesting left to right direction. I have not repeated this since, but sort of works.

(Download)

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Come on Jay, we know you really liked the 'angle' :lol:

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Busted