I understand you have limited space. The problem is your talking about trying to use too large of a group in too small of a studio! If you need a full 16' wide to have all the people or items in the shot. Your studio is way too small! The quality of your shots will suffer no matter the quality of the camera or lens! Is there anyway you can set up this project outside? The results will be much better. Just because you have a studio space, doen't mean you have to use it.
Problems I can see is first of all, is a "super" wide angle lens for portraits is a big no no. You will not just get "fisheye" type distortions. As many of the really wide lenses produce a fairly flat field. But you will still get subject distortions (ie anything closer to the lens will look bigger than they actually are, for example noses). There is a reason fairly long to long telephoto lenses are used for portraits. They are used because of their pleasing effects on the subjects.
2nd problem I see is again the size of the studio. To control shadows and such. You need to have your subjects away from the backdrop. So instead of having say 18' as described above. You really only have about 15' to work with. Your subjects should be at least a couple feet from the backdrop.
3rd problem I see is lighting. If the group is nearly 16' wide. And your walls of the studio is 16' wide. You will not be able to have your lights outside your subjects. They will be more direct at least for the subjects closer to the walls. So your lighting will suffer from a group that large. Also to cover a group that wide. Your going to need powerful lights and large light modifiers (or more lights and modifiers).
In my opinion with your studio at 16' wide maximum. I would say the actual limit of shooting in there would be about 6' wide 8' max, for subjects to have room for lights and modifiers to the sides. If you really need to go wider than that. Move outside. Early morning and late evening are great times for shooting outside. Avoid midmorning to late afternoon due to the harsh light (unless its a cloudy day). There is nothing wrong with shooting outside! Can still set up a back drop. Can have your lights in any position, including height. And you can move back and use a longer lens so your pictures come out with that professional look!
So my suggestion is to not buy a wide angle lens. Unless you want it for landscapes. For portrait works its considered a no no for a reason. If anything take the money you would use on the lens and get items so you can shoot large groups outside. Maybe more lights, weight bags to put on stands so they don't blow over (takes little wind to blow over a big umbrela). Maybe some accessory arms to hold up light modifiers, etc... Your studio is not big enough for large groups. Your work will suffer trying to use it that way.
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