Lens Suggestion: 24-70 f2.8 or 24-105 f4 IS

[pcressey]

I would appreciate some advice from people with experience. I am shooting a an evening banquet event on Saturday, and the location seems to be on a rooftop. I am guessing indoors or outdoors, the lighting will be so so at best.

I rented the 24-105 f4 IS because I don't have a wide angle lens. I am having second thoughts about also renting the 24-70 f2.8 for the better low light speed.

Which lens to you suggest? I originally went with the 24-105 f4 IS because I do have a 50 f1.8 I can switch to, and I feel I will need the full 105 zoom for shooting members on stage, or wherever they will be presenting.

I will be allowed to use flash as well, but if outdoors bouncing it is out of the question.

Any input is appreciated!

[nickbedford]

What body do you have? 24mm on a crop body isn't that wide, but the 105mm would definitely help with the reach.

If the lighting is going to be difficult, I would go the 2.8 but then you might not have much reach (especially if it's 70mm on a full frame).

[gturner]

It depends how dark it will be.
If it is early evening and you are going to get an hour or 2 of nice glow, then the 2,8.
If everything is flash dependent, then the 24-105.

REMEMBER SPARE BATTERIES .... LOTS OF THEM (camera and flash)

[pcressey]

Thanks for the input. I am shooting with my 7D.

The event starts at 7PM, so I will probably have about 45 mins of decent natural light; then the flash will have to come out.

[Jim Poor]

I'll take a different approach and say a 24-70 and a 70-200, both 2.8.

[nickbedford]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

I'll take a different approach and say a 24-70 and a 70-200, both 2.8.

When in doubt, F2.8.

[Saralonde]

As Jim mentioned, you might be better off with renting two, the 70 -200 f/2.8 and perhaps consider an EF-S lens, the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS. I use it on my 7D and it is a wonderfully sharp lens. It may give you a little more wide angle.

[Tzetsin]

I'm going to go out on a limb here as i dont have the 24-105 is lens and have never used it, but the "IS" part of that lens is going to give you at least a stop or two grace in lower light giving you "almost" the same advantage as the 2.8 in the other lens.

The only real "advantage" to the 2.8 is the increased depth of field, but since its an event, wider DOF would likely be preferable, so "having" to use the 2.8 to get the exposure right may be more of a disadvantage.

In the end, the F4 lens would likely be the better choice as you'll be able to get higher DOF at the same exposure level and the added reach of the longer zoom.

Also as gturner mentioned you "should" be using a flash in this case. Even if you get the exposure right, without the flash your just going to end up with alot of really soft faces. I'd go with something like an ex430 set at 1:16 or 1:4 and a bounce card... or what i do is point the flash straight up an pull out the wide angle slide thinger thats on the flash already.

[RichardTaylor]

I have used the 24-105 to shoot people in low light and while the IS does allow you to shoot at 1/15 second or so that doesn't always freeze them.
Now days I use fast, usually F2 primes.
Of the two lenses I would take the 24-70 FF2.8. (I don't own one).

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by Tzetsin

I'm going to go out on a limb here as i dont have the 24-105 is lens and have never used it, but the "IS" part of that lens is going to give you at least a stop or two grace in lower light giving you "almost" the same advantage as the 2.8 in the other lens.

The only real "advantage" to the 2.8 is the increased depth of field, but since its an event, wider DOF would likely be preferable, so "having" to use the 2.8 to get the exposure right may be more of a disadvantage.

In the end, the F4 lens would likely be the better choice as you'll be able to get higher DOF at the same exposure level and the added reach of the longer zoom.

Also as gturner mentioned you "should" be using a flash in this case. Even if you get the exposure right, without the flash your just going to end up with alot of really soft faces. I'd go with something like an ex430 set at 1:16 or 1:4 and a bounce card... or what i do is point the flash straight up an pull out the wide angle slide thinger thats on the flash already.

You've got it all wrong. IS won't give you an extra stop in terms of aperture. Shutter speed - yes, aperture, no. When it comes to working in low light, it's just not the same. You'll already be way slower than IS will be able to help.

2.8 will NOT give you increased DoF, but rather decreased. Depending on what's going on, minimizing background distractions at an event is usually preferable to showing it all.