Ham radio club Christmas dinner (Page 2): IMHO, the 24-120 would give you the most flexibility. The extra stop(s) you could get from 2.8 or 1.8 are beneficial BUT you have decreased...

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

GLKTN wrote:

Ok. Since I am getting such great advice, Which lens would be best for me to use. I mainly use the 24-120 f4 kit lens. I do have a Tamron SP 90mm macro lens at f2.8. I can lock the lens at .5m to ∞ and use my feet to zoom. Would the added f stop be that critical? I also have a Nikon f1.9 nifty fifty.

IMHO, the 24-120 would give you the most flexibility. The extra stop(s) you could get from 2.8 or 1.8 are beneficial BUT you have decreased your depth of field which is nice for individuals, however people in groupings not so much. Depending on distance and how staggered the people are you could have some of them out of focus.

GLKTN Loc: TN

jaysnave wrote:

IMHO, the 24-120 would give you the most flexibility. The extra stop(s) you could get from 2.8 or 1.8 are beneficial BUT you have decreased your depth of field which is nice for individuals, however people in groupings not so much. Depending on distance and how staggered the people are you could have some of them out of focus.

Thanks. The d750 is a superior low lite camera, that it will be a benefit.

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

GLKTN wrote:

Ok. Since I am getting such great advice, Which lens would be best for me to use. I mainly use the 24-120 f4 kit lens. I do have a Tamron SP 90mm macro lens at f2.8. I can lock the lens at .5m to ∞ and use my feet to zoom. Would the added f stop be that critical? I also have a Nikon f1.9 nifty fifty.

Focal length (lens) choice for this kind of coverage can vary depending on the space available for certain group shots, working at a comfortable distance to get in on good candid action and avoidance of distortion- since we are photographing people. Your zoom lens should be sufficient for most situations.

For candid groups of folks relating to each other, I like to use the normal focal length for the camera body. A slightly wider focal length can prove handy in close quarters. Since there is no ceremony to keep a distance from, like at a wedding, telephoto settings may not be necessary. Groups at a table, set up as Bob described, with a normal lens working between 8 and 15 feet will provide a good working distance to accommodate your flash output- you will be able to stop down enough to provide sufficient depth of field.

Someone mentioned, perhaps in another thread, that the room size does not influence bounce flash exposure if you are using a modifier card or scoop of your own making-
this is not true. Flash exposure is always influenced by room size because there is always some unseen light bouncing off walls and ceilings in close proximity to the flash unit and the subjects. The larger the room, the higher the ceiling or the darker these surfaces are, the less light will combine to strike the subject.

Since you are using TTL automatic flash, you don't need to calculate exposure and compensate for room size but it is wise t make your test exposure in the actual venue to make certain that your basic exposures are going to be correct.

Sometimes, large rooms with dark backgrounds can cause subject failure, even on automatic exposure systems. That is where the camera samples the light reading from the dark space around the subject and overexposes the subject. Testing will tell you if all systems go or if you need to compensate.

Your autofocus should work well unless the room is exceptionally dark. In the olden days, I would set my camera as per the footage scale and use the hyperfocal distance to shoot quickly without worrying about focus issues. This method works best with normal to wide-angle focal l at a certain distance setting? Also- your speedlight may have a dark focusing feature- just don't overuse it because it can cause overheating and premature flash tube failure.

GLKTN Loc: TN

E.L.. Shapiro wrote:

Focal length (lens) choice for this kind of coverage can vary depending on the space available for certain group shots, working at a comfortable distance to get in on good candid action and avoidance of distortion- since we are photographing people. Your zoom lens should be sufficient for most situations.

For candid groups of folks relating to each other, I like to use the normal focal length for the camera body. A slightly wider focal length can prove handy in close quarters. Since there is no ceremony to keep a distance from, like at a wedding, telephoto settings may not be necessary. Groups at a table, set up as Bob described, with a normal lens working between 8 and 15 feet will provide a good working distance to accommodate your flash output- you will be able to stop down enough to provide sufficient depth of field.

Someone mentioned, perhaps in another thread, that the room size does not influence bounce flash exposure if you are using a modifier card or scoop of your own making-
this is not true. Flash exposure is always influenced by room size because there is always some unseen light bouncing off walls and ceilings in close proximity to the flash unit and the subjects. The larger the room, the higher the ceiling or the darker these surfaces are, the less light will combine to strike the subject.

Since you are using TTL automatic flash, you don't need to calculate exposure and compensate for room size but it is wise t make your test exposure in the actual venue to make certain that your basic exposures are going to be correct.

Sometimes, large rooms with dark backgrounds can cause subject failure, even on automatic exposure systems. That is where the camera samples the light reading from the dark space around the subject and overexposes the subject. Testing will tell you if all systems go or if you need to compensate.

Your autofocus should work well unless the room is exceptionally dark. In the olden days, I would set my camera as per the footage scale and use the hyperfocal distance to shoot quickly without worrying about focus issues. This method works best with normal to wide-angle focal l at a certain distance setting? Also- your speedlight may have a dark focusing feature- just don't overuse it because it can cause overheating and premature flash tube failure.

Focal length (lens) choice for this kind of covera... (show quote)

Thanks.

Tim Stapp Loc: Mid Mitten

Having worked with Bob many times, I have to agree that he is a master at getting folks to "scootch together" and gets great shots. In the meantime, I'm getting the "detail" shots and candid at the the reception. Bride hugging Great Grandma, etc. I guess that I'm just too technical :).