Taking picture of large groups (10-30 people)

Hey everyone - I've done some searching on the forums reading up on lenses to I wouldn't post a question asked 1001 times before, but didn't find quite what I was looking for.

I need to buy a versatile lens that is GREAT quality...what I'm lacking right now (I only own a 50mm :-/ and rent lenses as I need them, mostly 24-200mm lens) is a lens that I can use for large group portraits of like 10-30 people. I would like something mildly versatile so I can use it for large portrait groups but also individual portraits so I want something that has a zoom of course...and getting the most bang for my buck..

Any input is greatly appreciated!!

 

Where will you be shooting this group. In close quarters, or outside with plenty of room to backup?

 

Hey - I should be in a big space outdoors...

 

10-20mm Sigma Ultrawide or just use your 50mm and a panoramic software. Take 20 pics and stitch them together.

 

Hey - is there somewhere I can read about how that is done?

 

I wouldn't recommend the sigma 10-20 for portraits as there is to much distortion. It really depends on your budget. If you wanted to you could even just buy the normal 18-55mm af-s lens offered as a kit lens with many nikons.

 

I agree about picking up a kit lens. Get the 18-55 II kit lens and stop it down outside in bright light and it will be plenty sharp.

Also shoot in raw with it so you can adjust colors/contrast in PP as those are 2 areas where you'll notice a difference betwen the 18-55 and your 50mm f1.8.

 

Not for serious portraits anyways....not for the most part. And especially for a large group. It would be difficult to get everthing in there without being distorted, even at 20mm. Although, I did use it for a shoot this weekend and even the mor serious shots turned out to good effect.

 

I used a 24-105 lens for a wedding a week or so ago for about 15-20 people. I had limited room to back up, but I set it on the tripod at 28mm about 7-8 feet away and got everyone in there. Granted this was on a 1D Mk2(1.3x crop factor) so you may want something a little wider or back up more if you can.

 

At 10mm yes, a ton. At 20mm (still plenty wide), very little and that little bit can easily be addressed in post processing.

A good alteriative and a lot faster is the Sigma 18-50 F/2.8. It all depends on:

- lighting
- positioning
- camera/lens combo
- photographer

If you are a strobist fan, you could get that pic with a kit lens easily enough with 4-6 SB-800s well placed. If you are short on lighting, a faster lens is going to be needed.

Hey, doesn't Nikkor still make a manual focus 50mm F/1.2? (lol!!)

 

If you can afford it I would consider going for the 14-24 2.8.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/520635-USA/Nikon_2163_AF_S_Zoom_Nikkor_14_24mm.html

 

Or you could do what I did today and buy a 60" umbrella to stick a ton of flashes in :mrgreen: