Difference between 12mm and 17mm lens (Page 3): Look at the manufacturer's specification on any lens you are considering and think of it this way; if the horizontal angle of view is...

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Difference between 12mm and 17mm lens

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Apr 11, 2018 13:23:08 #

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

indeject wrote:

Hello,
I have a D7100 with a 17-55mm 2.8 lens. I’m interested in the Nikon 12-24mm f4 lens for wider angle photos when I do group photos indoors with flash. My question is how much of a difference would I see with 12mm vs. 17mm? Thanks!!

Look at the manufacturer's specification on any lens you are considering and think of it this way; if the horizontal angle of view is 90-degrees or more, you will be able to place your camera in the corner of a room and capture the whole room. A 10mm lens gives a 109-degree angle of view; a 12mm lens gives a 99-degree AOV and a 17mm lens gives a 79-degree AOV.

On a group photo taken with a super-wide angle lens, there will be increasing distortion as your subject gets closer to the edges of your picture. With people as your subject, the distortion can be objectionable. As a result, I do not spread my subjects out to the point that they are near the edges of the frame.

Apr 11, 2018 14:25:28 #

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

indeject wrote:

...My question is how much of a difference would I see with 12mm vs. 17mm? Thanks!!

5mm worth! (Sorry, couldn't resist!

)

One way of looking at it..... the 12mm lens is a little more than 40% wider than the 17mm.

However, I gotta say that at $1150 the Nikkor AF-S 12-24mm f/4 DX seems massively over-priced for a lens of this type.

The Tokina AT-X 12-28mm f/4 DX is available for $430 and the one stop faster Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 DX is currently on sale for about $470.

There's also the rather hefty Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 HSM for $400.

And the Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II HLD VC (stailized) for $500.

There's even the Nikkor AF-P 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6 DX VR (also stabilized) for under $310.

Apr 11, 2018 14:37:07 #

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I have a D7100 as well and I got a used Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 for those times I want a SWA lens. They are made for APS-C format cameras and at that focal length, stabilization really isn't needed. If you are using flash indoors, neither is a fast aperture. They can be had used for less than $250 Here is a sample shot from this lens. Outdoors though and with a slight crop...

St. Peter's Episcopal Church by Scott, on Flickr

Apr 11, 2018 16:43:40 #

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

LWW wrote:

Thanks, and for what it’s worth, I am in love with the new NIKKOR 10-20 AFS-P VR.

If it works with your DSLR, I think it is but check to be sure, it’s wider than the 12-24 and razor sharp ... and a good bit le$$$$.

The 10-20 works on The D7100. I have the combo. Only issue is you cannot turn off VR because the lens doesn’t have a switch and the camera doesn’t either. And I agree. It’s a great lens.

Apr 11, 2018 17:12:12 #

indeject

Have you used the 10-20 with a tripod? The VR is supposed to be turned off.

Apr 11, 2018 17:39:35 #

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

indeject wrote:

Have you used the 10-20 with a tripod? The VR is supposed to be turned off.

True but you cannot do that on a D7100.

Apr 11, 2018 19:08:24 #

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

indeject wrote:

Because I value clarity and low distortions of people, I cannot recommend shooting groups at 12mm on crop frame.....and I would think twice using 17mm - also, hard to get flash to evenly illuminate at that wide of angle - especially a single flash !

..

Apr 11, 2018 20:15:33 #

indeject

Thanks for your reply. I have had no problems with my 17-55mm DX f2.8 lens. When I photograph these groups they are on a theatre stage with the stage lights on, so the flash I use is a bounce to help avoid shadows.

Apr 11, 2018 21:02:47 #

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

indeject wrote:

So, where do you bounce ??

..

Apr 11, 2018 21:04:55 #

indeject

SB 700 on my camera bouncing off ceiling.

Apr 11, 2018 21:15:58 #

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I’m surprised they let you use a flash. It must be either before or after the performance.

Apr 11, 2018 21:22:59 #

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

indeject wrote:

SB 700 on my camera bouncing off ceiling.

Must be a LOW ceiling ...... I would think you would want some frontal lighting to get into the eye sockets of the people and give catch lights in the eyes ....unless the stage lights can do that.

..

Apr 11, 2018 21:35:34 #

indeject

Screamin Scott wrote:

I’m surprised they let you use a flash. It must be either before or after the performance.

These are publicity photos where the cast poses. Production photos are taken without flash, ISO of about 1600. Most times the stage lighting is bright enough. However, much more post production needed.

Apr 11, 2018 23:20:13 #

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

bkyser wrote:

Just be prepared for a LOT of distortion when using that wide on people photos.

I'm not saying don't use, it, but keep people as close to the middle as possible anyway. If you have them from one side of the frame to the other, be prepared for the people on the sides to get pretty angry with you for making them look so "wide"

Definitely don't put any females on the outer edges of the group, especially if they aren't built like Twiggy.

Apr 12, 2018 07:44:16 #

indeject

Lol

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