50mm 1.8: I have a First communion to shoot tomorrow, and at the end, they want a group picture. Is it wise to use my 50mm 1.8; or my 17-70 2.8? to prevent side blur I will have to...

toptrainer Loc: Wellington

I have a First communion to shoot tomorrow, and at the end, they want a group picture. Is it wise to use my 50mm 1.8; or my 17-70 2.8? to prevent side blur I will have to have at least an 11 or above aperture.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

I would have both.

If you can go early and try to do a preview.

J. R.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

both will give you f/11.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

toptrainer wrote:

I have a First communion to shoot tomorrow, and at the end, they want a group picture. Is it wise to use my 50mm 1.8; or my 17-70 2.8? to prevent side blur I will have to have at least an 11 or above aperture.

Use the zoom.

When you set up the shot take the characteristics of your lens into consideration. Using zoom to frame your image stay far enough away to avoid having anyone all the way to the edge. Also consider that the plain of focus is not flat, and bends towards the camera at the edges; hence if you have four rows of people make each row shorter, with one or two fewer people on each side, as you go from front to back.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Apaflo wrote:

Use the zoom.

When you set up the shot take the characteristics of your lens into consideration. Using zoom to frame your image stay far enough away to avoid having anyone all the way to the edge. Also consider that the plain of focus is not flat, and bends towards the camera at the edges; hence if you have four rows of people make each row shorter, with one or two fewer people on each side, as you go from front to back.

Agree. Unless the group is really small, the 50 won't cover it. When shooting groups it's very important to maintain close proximity to the people so you can interact/communicate with them. People photos improve dramatically with this human contact

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

toptrainer wrote:

I have a First communion to shoot tomorrow, and at the end, they want a group picture. Is it wise to use my 50mm 1.8; or my 17-70 2.8? to prevent side blur I will have to have at least an 11 or above aperture.

Use the zoom. Also if you can't shoot at f/11 (lighting reasons and ISO), check the possibility of using flash. (Many churches will prohibit them but I always ask and make them tell me no). Also use a camera that works well at higher ISO if you have to shoot available light. Remember that this isn't a still life, people move so blur is always a possibility.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Gifted One wrote:

I would have both.

If you can go early and try to do a preview.

J. R.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I agree with others too. Go both, better safe than sorry. I own a 50mm 1.8 prime. It sees what the eyes see the pros claim. But it has limitations as a prime lens too. Enjoy your gathering of friends.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

Agree. Unless the group is really small, the 50 won't cover it. When shooting groups it's very important to maintain close proximity to the people so you can interact/communicate with them. People photos improve dramatically with this human contact

However, too wide a lens will seriously distort the folks nearer the edges of the image(s). That can look really bad.

The size of the group and working space dictate what lens you can and should use. I always use the least wide lens I can, when shooting people.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

James, most groups can be photographed with a 35mm focal length with little to no distortion or loss of quality at the edges assuming you are using a full frame camera.
Since I do not know how much room you will have to move around my advise is that you take both lenses. The 50mm lens can do a great job if the group is not too big.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

amfoto1 wrote:

However, too wide a lens will seriously distort the folks nearer the edges of the image(s). That can look really bad.

The size of the group and working space dictate what lens you can and should use. I always use the least wide lens I can, when shooting people.

Of course. One should, generally be ok at 35mm. My point was you don't want to be in the parking lot while attempting to establish eye contact with a large group. Unless you "spray and pray" there's a good possibility you'll miss someone looking away or with eyes closed or some other unattractive expression.

AntonioReyna Loc: Los Angeles, California

depending on the locale, and whether you have a crop or full sensor, the 50 may not be wide enough. As one person said, take both.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Not knowing the venue, and only wanting to only take one, go with the 17-70, you can always zoom it in, but you can'y zoom the 50 at all.

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

toptrainer wrote:

I have a First communion to shoot tomorrow, and at the end, they want a group picture. Is it wise to use my 50mm 1.8; or my 17-70 2.8? to prevent side blur I will have to have at least an 11 or above aperture.

I used my 50 mm on my 60D for a group shot and will never do it again unless it is the only lens I have with me.I had to stand too far from the group. I might use it on my 6D, but would probably use either my 17-40 or the 25-105.

JohnTxNC

Wondering how the shoot turned out? ... I've learned when shooting groups to stand back far enough that the resulting photo can be cropped to an 8x10 from the 4x6 native format. Clipping Uncle Bill's right sholder and Cousin Sue's left hip never looks good in a final print!! But, if you zoom wide to get everyone in the frame Sue's hips get wider & wider & you don't want to piss off Sue!
So in my opinion, either lens works, but keep your distance! Hope the shoot was successful!