50mm 1.8 lens-distance from subject?

[msmitch]

Hope someone can help. I'm new to the lens world & what they are capable of & adjusting them accordingly, etc. :oops: I have a LOT to learn and a long way to go, that I know for certain. I just bought the 50mm 1.8 lens for my canon rebel. My sister is getting married this Saturday & I was wondering how close should I be to my subjects if I want to take a photo from the waist up with this lens?

[saravrose]

welcome to POTN.. as to your question for me that's a hard one to answer.. But, when you have a fixed focal lens you tend to do the zooming with your feet.. So, instead of just zooming in and out with a lens or point and shoot you'll be walking to and from your subjects until you get the composition that your after.. In general i'm usually within fifteen feet of my subjects with nifty but have been known to go closer.. I'd suggest experimenting a little before the wedding and seeing what works for you...The nifty is a great little lens by the way..

sari

[msmitch]

thanks sari. Been trying it at different angles, distance etc for the couple of days. I was thinking of using a tripod, to be sure that the camera remains steady. Do you think that is a good idea?

[saravrose]

thanks sari. Been trying it at different angles, distance etc for the couple of days. I was thinking of using a tripod, to be sure that the camera remains steady. Do you think that is a good idea?

1.8 is fast! I usually use it for lowlight and for portraits when I absolutely need to be moving around.. but, it depends on the circumstances and the lighting.. If your shooting during the day you should be fine with handholding.. If your at night or in very low light a tripod might come in handy.. It's all best judgement, and unfortunately just takes time and experience to get a handle on..

sari

[msmitch]

If it is as fast as you say then I think I'll forgo the tripod. I like having free movement anyway. One other question if you don't mind. For a few shots I'd like to use a remote controller, how do I focus the camera in that event? I'm going to use the auto settings just as a saftey net. But none the less, I know when taking a picture you have to press the button half way to allow the camera to focus before shooting. How do you go about doing that if you are using a remote?

[stjhie]

when u use a remote, they normally has also a prefocus button too. have you consider bringing a monopod? bring a tripod still close by though, just in case of group photo. but remember f/1.8 is very shallow DOP. so when you are taking group photo or more than one, try make a higer f. then also whent aking the bride and bridegrom, try to make it on a plane perpendicular to your camera so that both perosn will be focus when using f/1.8

[msmitch]

That is a little confusing, sorry. I have two lens. The one that came with the kit, (I know not the greatest) and the 50mm. I think I'll use the one that came with the kit for the group photo.

As for the remote controller, I bought a Canon RC-1, there is a slide button, but don't know if that is for a prefocus??

[englishw]

I would recommend the 50mm for the group shot. At f/8 that lens is TACK SHARP. You'll have to put it on a tripod probably and put it futher away, but the results will speak for themselves. That will also gaurd against unnatural perspectives as the kit lens can go to 18mm...that would be way too wide to maintain proper perspective with groups. 50mm f/8 for groups...just my $0.02.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

If you'll be using the kit lens for the group shot, try and stop down to f/8 or so if you can. that's when this lens shows some sharpness. A bit soft at wider apertures.

[msmitch]

Thanks everyone for all of your help. I think I'll go with the 50mm, I do like how sharp it is.

[Mr. Clean]

That is a little confusing, sorry. I have two lens. The one that came with the kit, (I know not the greatest) and the 50mm. I think I'll use the one that came with the kit for the group photo.

As for the remote controller, I bought a Canon RC-1, there is a slide button, but don't know if that is for a prefocus??
The slide button is used to keep the shutter open. The button on your remote will act like your shutter button on your camera depening on how your customer function are set up. Your other question, I think it's about 10 feet or so for waist up shots. Just get some practice beforehand!

[form]

....As long as you have the ability to step way back without walls or foreground objects interfering, yes you can use the 50, and it will be sharper...But shorter focal lengths exist for a reason.

You shouldn't need to stop the 50 down to f/8 for sharpness because it's quite sharp even by f/2.8 or f/4. Only stop down for extra DoF if necessary.

[msmitch]

So as far as the remote, there is no prefocus? What does one do? If using it for a group shot, is there not a way to set the focus at the camera, lock the setting and then use the remote?