lens recommendation for baptism

[polvoronn]

hey folks. I'm gonna be attending a baptism next month. I'm trying to decide whether to rent a 24-70 2.8 or a 70-200 IS. I'm leaning towards the 24-70, but I'm wondering if the 70-200 will help out even more cuz I don't want to use a flash and the IS will probably be a tremendous aid in that respect.

soooooo ... what do the potn'ers say?

[GeneMan88]

How close are you gonna be able to get? The 70-200 on a 1.6x crop factor body might be a bit long, but then again only you will know where you are going to be in relation to the subject. I might suggest renting both lenses so that you have the option of using which ever one fits at that moment.

[SkipD]

The bottom line question is how far away from the subjects you will be able to get. Then, use the lenses you have, mock up the group scene at that distance, and determine if a focal length in the range that you have will work.

Focal length needs calculation is fairly easy. If, for example, you determine that 50mm is too wide and you need to double the height or width of the subject in the photo (and you cannot change your position relative to the subject), then you need a 100mm lens to handle that situation.

Remember that if you use a very wide aperture (low f-stop number), you may have a problem with depth of field. Keeping the group all the same distance from the camera (in an arc) would minimize that problem.

[condyk]

Are you saying you wish to rent a lens to baptise? If so, it probably needs to be an L and perhaps the most holy of holy's would be the 24-70 2.8 L according to Pet-kal, who is an authority on such matters.

[pturton]

If you can arrange a viewing of the baptism area as SkipD suggests, you may find that your 50 f/1.8 may be sufficient. Then you could use money saved on rental towards purchase of another prime, 28, 35, or 85.

You do not make mention as to whether the baptism is of an infant (sprinkling) or full immersion of an adult. In either case I'd probably take along a 35, 50 and 85. In churches that I've shot this type of event without flash, my f/2.8 zooms were too slow.

Don't forget to check your white balance or shoot RAW.