Help!!!

[dmann]

Hey All,

So I am taking some family photos in about 2hrs and I need some lens advice. I have been doing some practise photo shoots and have been using my nifty fifty. However when I shoot people from far away (about 10-15ft) nothing is tack sharp. I thought it was because I was shooting at a f stop of 1.8. So this am I did a practise run and the same thing happened at a f 8.0 and I had also moved in closer to the subjects. I will be shooting families of about 5 people today and I need to be away from them so I can get some shots with all of them and some background.

My question is should I switch back to my 18-55 lens that came with my camera or keep using the 50mm and adjust my settings?

Any advice will help! Althought my families is volunteering for this I dont want to completely waste their time

I have attached the examples I am talking about.

Do I want to be on spot metering?

Also I am using a tripod.

EXIF data for single girl pic:
f1.8
1/160
iso 100

family pic:
f8.0
1/60
iso 100

[Tito87]

I like to use spot. Just make sure you focus on the eyes. If you're using a large aperture, Make sure they're on the same plane. I'd stick with the 50mm.

[dmann]

Originally Posted by Tito87

Are you focusing manually, or using AF.

manual, and thats another thing I was wondering. Where do I put the focus point? I tryed a couple different things. I focused on her eyes, his eyes and in between them but nothing worked great.

[Tito87]

Originally Posted by dmann

manual, and thats another thing I was wondering. Where do I put the focus point? I tryed a couple different things. I focused on her eyes, his eyes and in between them but nothing worked great.

Use the AF, and focus on her eyes. I usually use the center point, and when it's in focus I recompose, without removing my finger.

[dmann]

Originally Posted by Tito87

Use the AF, and focus on her eyes. I usually use the center point, and when it's in focus I recompose, without removing my finger.

Sorry, no I do use AF and if I focus on her eyes (because shes the most centered, right?) and I am using a larger aperature (like f8 - f11) then they should all be in focus right?

This is going to sound really dumb, but how do you focus and recompose?
Do I pick a focal point (her eyes) push the shutter have down (to lock focus) and then how would I recompose? What would I change?

I am really stressed right now and I think when that happens my brain takes off to have a drink and I am left with the mess of a mouth with no brain, lol.

[Tito87]

Originally Posted by dmann

Sorry, no I do use AF and if I focus on her eyes (because shes the most centered, right?) and I am using a larger aperature (like f8 - f11) then they should all be in focus right?

This is going to sound really dumb, but how do you focus and recompose?
Do I pick a focal point (her eyes) push the shutter have down (to lock focus) and then how would I recompose? What would I change?

If you're shooting f/11, you shouldn't have any problems with DOF. To focus and recompose is very simple: you focus on her eyes; then, when you lock focus, you keep the shutter halfway down and then you recompose the picture, so that she's not dead centered in the frame. Just so you compose according to the rule of thirds. If you don't want to do that, you can change the focus point in your viewfinder.

[corry]

I'm finding the same issues with my 50mm in a couple recent shoots (one with 5 girls)where my focus wasn't where i wanted it, and I know I've tried both the single point and auto multi point focus...but it is frustrating....not knowing whether its because of the aperature on this lens or ......I've always loved it for shots of my kids and things but...