Best lens to use for family portrait
Jan 29, 2020 16:35:17 #
dsmeltz wrote:
Without information like this, people are limited in providing advice.How big is the family? Where will the photo be taken?
Jan 29, 2020 16:47:58 #
Jan 29, 2020 16:49:55 #
LFingar wrote:
I'll bet that explains the shots I have seen of Pamela Anderson! And others! Didn't seem to affect their faces though. Hmmm...curious! 
In that case, I wouldn't try to do any software corrections.Jan 30, 2020 08:18:24 #
Jan 30, 2020 08:39:49 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
kscanman wrote:
I have to take a family portrait and wanted to know what is the best lens to use? I have a Canon 6D Mark 2 with a 24-105mm lens.
That lens will work fine, avoid the 24mm end if you can, it may distort folks on the extreme right and left of the group. Use anything between say 35mm and 105 mm. That lenses should give you good results. Stop down to about f8 to help depth of field and try to keep everyone about the same distance from the camera.
Jan 30, 2020 10:14:54 #
kscanman wrote:
I have to take a family portrait and wanted to know what is the best lens to use? I have a Canon 6D Mark 2 with a 24-105mm lens.
Use that, preferably between about 43mm and 63mm. Use a Depth of Field calculator application on your smartphone or computer to determine appropriate f/stop (try to stay wider than f/11) and focus distance. You may find you can use a medium aperture such as f/6.3 to f/8. That's about ideal for that lens, in terms of lens performance. DOF is another matter.
Going wider will distort people toward the edges of the frame and make them appear fat. Don't insult them or they will hate you for life!
Keep the focal length in the normal range by choosing a location and composition that allows you to do that. Think: Build a sort of pyramid (not like cheerleaders do, but the shape of one. If there are lots of people, consider getting up on a ladder if you can. Use a tripod, and avoid on-camera flash (you might get "red eye.)"
Jan 30, 2020 11:02:24 #
kscanman wrote:
I have to take a family portrait and wanted to know what is the best lens to use? I have a Canon 6D Mark 2 with a 24-105mm lens.
That lens should work very well for you.
Jan 30, 2020 11:28:33 #
gsmith051 wrote:
Yes, this lens has a great range in focal length, but that is only half the consideration. What other people have been getting at is reducing the depth of focus needed, so the area beyond the family will be out of focus, which is the other consideration.That lens should work very well for you.
Jan 30, 2020 11:35:39 #
kscanman wrote:
I have to take a family portrait and wanted to know what is the best lens to use? I have a Canon 6D Mark 2 with a 24-105mm lens.
Perfect lens right there.
Jan 30, 2020 13:48:59 #
Architect1776 wrote:
Perfect lens right there.
Yes, perfect, unless the size of the group and/or the conditions of the shoot make it exactly the wrong lens. But aside from that, it is perfect. You know, perfect except for when it is a disaster.
Jan 30, 2020 13:52:23 #
kscanman wrote:
I have to take a family portrait and wanted to know what is the best lens to use? I have a Canon 6D Mark 2 with a 24-105mm lens.
That lens would be absolutely fine.
Jan 30, 2020 14:31:42 #
dsmeltz wrote:
Yes, perfect, unless the size of the group and/or the conditions of the shoot make it exactly the wrong lens. But aside from that, it is perfect. You know, perfect except for when it is a disaster.
On FF camera 24 is about as wide as needed and 105 for a group is plenty long.
Thus perfect.
Jan 30, 2020 17:51:40 #
kscanman wrote:
I have to take a family portrait and wanted to know what is the best lens to use? I have a Canon 6D Mark 2 with a 24-105mm lens.
Describe the group, how many toes, and the setting in which the shoot will occur.
Jan 30, 2020 18:04:20 #
DeanS wrote:
Describe the group, how many toes, and the setting in which the shoot will occur.
Jan 30, 2020 19:42:17 #
kscanman wrote:
I have to take a family portrait and wanted to know what is the best lens to use? I have a Canon 6D Mark 2 with a 24-105mm lens.
Depending on the number of people and the distance you have to work with, I would prefer to be some where between 35 and 55mm and prefer a prime lens.
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