snipershot

I am looking to do some group shots (family & class reunions). I am armed with the nikon D500. What should I consider? My current lenses are a 35mm & 17-55. Thanks for you input.

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

17-55 f/2.8...hands down...that’s a 25.5-82.5mm range...perfect

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

The Nikon AFS 12-24mm F4 is an extremely good lens at a very good price. Lots of used copies out there at 1/2 off retail.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Another option is the very good and inexpensive AF-P 10-20mm 1:4.5 5.6G, DX VR. Small, light, sharp. Check the reviews. Best of luck with your choice!

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

For those situations I use a Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5, which is a DX lens. It's small and light, sharp with very little CA and distortion isn't bad at all and easily corrected in Post. If I need a little more speed, I go with a Sigma 14-24 f/2.8 art, but it's a FX lens with a lot more bulk and weight.

Bill_de Loc: US

This is the third year in a row you asked about wide angle lenses.

Instead of asking about lenses, you might want to ask for how best to shoot what you want. There are folks here that have experience doing this. Once you know how, you will be able to choose the best lens. With groups positioning your subjects should probably be high on your list. A lens that is too wide could make the folks on the end disproportionately small.

Hopefully an experienced "group" shooter will speak up.

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Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...class reunions..." you actually would likely benefit from a tall step ladder...
I assist a notable lady commercial photographer who specializes in large groups.

My mission is to carry/setup her tall 15' step ladder and hold it steady as she captures the group(s) from her ethereal vantage point... This technique has been used for decades... Avoids the need for tiered risers which are a total bitch to setup/teardown...

Interesting that so many photographers tend to think "LENS" instead of vantage point perspective...
You are not alone snipershot I've seen this same query over and over again...
Bottom Line? It's not always the glass but how you think of a solution to your task...

Here is DxOmark's take on your AF-S DX 17-55mm f2.8G IF-ED Nikkor
https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Nikon/AF-S-DX-Zoom-Nikkor-17-55mm-f-2.8G-IF-ED-mounted-on-Nikon-D500__1061

Look under Specifications; Sharpness; Field Map; FL 17mm (choose f/8)
That lens is best at f/8 and reasonable at f/5.6 forget any other apertures...
They simply aren't good across the frame... same with FL 28mm and 35mm

That vintage lens is a bit long in the tooth now... the newer "plastic" wide Nikkors beat it handily....
Hope this helps snipershot

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I do a lot of shooting with an extreme wide angle lens...14-24mm on a full frame Nikon. I would never use a lens that wide to photograph groups of people. It's too much trouble to arrange them so that the ones on the ends are not tiny compared to those in the middle. You have to arc the rows to keep everyone about the same distance from the camers, and that just blows people's minds. The wide end of your 17-55mm zoom is very close to what 24mm would do on a full frame camera, and that is already very short. When I shoot groups with my D500, I try to stay at 25mm or longer, and that can still be too short if you aren't careful, especially if there are women in your group or if folks are arranged in multiple rows.

I'd suggest that you are already ok with what you have. Just practice a little at various focal lengths to see what results you would get at each.

I have also learned that there are folks who just aren't worried about what short focal lengths do to the rendition of people. If you and your subjects are in that group, that's ok, too.

Leitz Loc: Solms

The people photographers hang out in the people photography sections. You might want ask there:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-101-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-127-1.html

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Nikon 10-20

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Be careful with very wide lenses - you'll see volume deformation (volume anamorphosis) at the sides and corners that will not be very flattering for those people. Better to use your longer focal lengths and move back. How large a group are you thinking about shooting?

Here is a detailed description of volume deformation, and one product that can fix it to some degree:

https://www.dxo.com/project/understanding-volume-deformation/

I've shot big groups using pano stitching which works very well.

https://photojoseph.com/tips/2017/1/13/group-portrait-composite-lightroom-photoshop#.YIKkMFVKjmE

Don't forget to tell everyone to close their eyes and wait until you count to three to open them when you press the shutter - the results will be open eyes and big, natural, unposed smiles -

Overthehill1

Really like that last tip.Good one!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

As mentioned, I would be using a ladder .......and a 24mm prime lens - you could use your zoom at 24mm and an optimal f-stop like 6.3/7 in a pinch. I would not go wider than 24 on a crop frame. You want to be in open shade (side of a tall building) or have overcast sky light. I would have the camera on a tripod head with remote trigger so I could concentrate on seeing the group unobstructed. My ladder has the ability to mount a tripod centerpost.
Keep people's faces away from the corners of your sensor/format.
.

snipershot

Thanks