What Lens Should I Use????

[Chippee]

Hello All!!!! I need some advice on a lens choice. I am photographing five of my grandchildren this weekend, outdoors, and I'm not sure which lens I should use. I typically don't do portrait type shots and I want to make sure I use the right lens. Thanks for your help!

[candleman]

18-105

kids move and primes suck

the 18-55 is too short

[Chippee]

Thanks Candleman... I was thinking about the 50 mm.... until now

[jml79]

Yeah, usually the 50 would be the choice but I agree, the 18-105 or even the 55-200 depending on your style. I often use my 70-210 for portraits if I don't have a 50mm handy.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by Chippee

Thanks Candleman... I was thinking about the 50 mm.... until now

no problem,

the 50mm isn't a bad lens, the problem is 99% of people will work at f/2.0 (exaggeration to get the point across)
which means one kid wil be in focus and rest wont

for 5 kids, they will move allot and are very hard to control for more than a few brief moments.

I'd be working around f/5.6 or smaller to make sure i can get the most faces in focus.

[Chippee]

Originally Posted by candleman

I'd be working around f/5.6 or smaller to make sure i can get the most faces in focus.

Which brings me to another question... with that many in the group, where the heck would I focus? They are older kids and I got two that are tall and the other three are shrimps!

Also, in a setting like this, for the best look should I get just their faces or full body shots? or maybe I should just play around with it. Ugh..... I think this is why I don't do portrait type work... Scary

Thanks again for your help!

[Chippee]

Originally Posted by jml79

Yeah, usually the 50 would be the choice but I agree, the 18-105 or even the 55-200 depending on your style. I often use my 70-210 for portraits if I don't have a 50mm handy.

Thanks jml

[jml79]

Originally Posted by Chippee

Which brings me to another question... with that many in the group, where the heck would I focus? They are older kids and I got two that are tall and the other three are shrimps!

Also, in a setting like this, for the best look should I get just their faces or full body shots? or maybe I should just play around with it. Ugh..... I think this is why I don't do portrait type work... Scary

Thanks again for your help!

Oh my... Is this a formal shoot or informal? What is your style etc. Just an idea of how I might approach it with the thought that all 5 are teenagers. Adapt to your needs/situation.

1. Get some really good head and upper body portraits of each with a nice background and a fast lens to blur it. Some poses near trees or other interesting objects. (50mm prime for this) Reflectors can really help here.

2. Use the 18-105 and get a couple of group portraits of everyone with a smallish aperture (f5.6-f8) Focus on the middle/front person if the are angled to you or pick a face if straight on. The small aperture should take care of the rest. Check the photo and go to a smaller aperture if the rear person is still out of focus.

3. Break out a zoom lens (55-200 or 70-300) and a frisbee or something. Time to get some action shots of all of the kids playing and having fun. Shutter priority, continuous drive and AF. Full body action shots.

4. Switch back to the 18-105 for the rest of the day and just get creative while everyone is doing their thing.

Keep everyone laughing and having a good time and try to have a good time yourself, everything else will hopefully just fall into place.

Hope this helps.

[Chippee]

Originally Posted by jml79

Oh my... Is this a formal shoot or informal? What is your style etc. Just an idea of how I might approach it with the thought that all 5 are teenagers. Adapt to your needs/situation.

1. Get some really good head and upper body portraits of each with a nice background and a fast lens to blur it. Some poses near trees or other interesting objects. (50mm prime for this) Reflectors can really help here.

2. Use the 18-105 and get a couple of group portraits of everyone with a smallish aperture (f5.6-f8) Focus on the middle/front person if the are angled to you or pick a face if straight on. The small aperture should take care of the rest. Check the photo and go to a smaller aperture if the rear person is still out of focus.

3. Break out a zoom lens (55-200 or 70-300) and a frisbee or something. Time to get some action shots of all of the kids playing and having fun. Shutter priority, continuous drive and AF. Full body action shots.

4. Switch back to the 18-105 for the rest of the day and just get creative while everyone is doing their thing.

Keep everyone laughing and having a good time and try to have a good time yourself, everything else will hopefully just fall into place.

Hope this helps.

Holy Cow.. super helpful. Thank you so much. I really don't have a style. Maybe this will help me to break out of my shell and start doing more portrait type photos. Yes, two are teenagers and then I got 11 year old and two 10 year olds. I can see there will be a lot of trial and error. Hopefully they will be patient with me. I might have to bribe them. I can always tell them if they don't cooperate, no x-mas presents for them How mean is that!!!???!!! Bad Grandma.

I am nervous just thinking about this!!! I shall meditate on this and will myself to relax and have a good time. Thanks so much for the helpful suggestions. Hopefully I can get some good ones to post. Alternatively, if they are crappy I will still post so you all can tell me what I did wrong

Have a great day!

[carolyn_99]

what great timing, this post! i too am trying to get into portraits and have some family, friends that have asked me to take pictures. thought it's a great opportunity for me to dip my toes in.

good luck!