Which lense to use to portrait slender legs?

[FX35]

I have read the policy re: nudity, and hopefully this post does not violate the rules. I am a newbie in photography and need some help in choosing a lense due to work reasons. Please interpret this thread from a business perspective. Thanks in advance!


I am looking into shooting models, with emphasis on portraiting long, slender legs. Such as the sample photos posted here.

Can someone advise what specific lense(s) from Nikon I should consider getting, when using a D7000?

I was considering using 50 / 85mm, but then these look as if they were shot with a wide angle.

Your thoughts please.

[Rentham]

Wide angle lenses stretch and elongate perspective. You'll want to start in the 24mm range, I'd guess.

The example photos aren't too explicit, but a slightly NSF warning in the thread title would have been welcome.

[FX35]

My bad, I tried to go back to edit the title of the post, but doesn't look like the system would let me.

#1 Should I get a FF 24mm, or zoom lense, say from 24-85mm?

#2 Do you suspect the distortions in these samples were done by software tweaking? Or direct result of lenses used?

[Rentham]

Originally Posted by FX35

My bad, I tried to go back to edit the title of the post, but doesn't look like the system would let me.

#1 Should I get a FF 24mm, or zoom lense, say from 24-85mm?

#2 Do you suspect the distortions in these samples were done by software tweaking? Or direct result of lenses used?

I prefer primes, so I'd go with the 24mm lens. I can't say if there was any additional distortion added in post. Getting close to the legs with a wide angle lens will make them (or anything else) appear much longer. Even at 24mm the effect can be quite pronounced.

[FX35]

So in other words, I should go with 24mm and above (ie 35.......etc), right?

[Rentham]

The further you go in focal length, the more effect it will have on perspective. The wider you go, the more perspective is stretched. Telephoto focal lengths will compress perspective.

So yes, 24mm will give more of an effect than 35mm. You can go wider, but then you start to get into big time distortion. I find 24mm to be a happy medium for wide angle and people.

[zona5101]

you'd probably have increased success of elongating the leg while minimizing the distortion of a super wide angle lens if you were using a full frame camera.

[FX35]

That's probably true, but I can't afford a FX camera right now, so we'll make to somehow make do with a DX, by the help of a lense + angle.

I am going to try out 24mm f/2.8D. Will post resulting photos for you guys to comment on.

[OsmosisStudios]

Here's an example of 10mm (on DX). Slightly NSFW

It's exaggerated. Very much so. But thats the point.

[FX35]

Hmmmm. The samples I posted is not as distored as the one your posted, but close.

I am going to try out the 24mm and see what results I get.