Question about shooting with a 100mm macro

[revhtree]

Canon 100mm 2.8

I just got this lens and I understand it to be great for studio photgraphy. I feel stupid even asking, but I got to ask.

I am doing some pics for couples at a dance and to get the whole couple in the pic, I am going to have to setup a good distance away from them. Does this sound correct? I mean what is the estimated distance I will have to set up away from the subject if they are say 6'0 tall max?

Or will this not be a good lens to use for this situation?

Sorry I'm a noob!

[GPR1]

Distance will depend on your camera body. You'll be closer with a 5D (full frame) than with a 30D (1.6 crop).

It is a long lens for using indoors. To get a 6 foot man in the picture you'll be more than 20 feet away.

The 100 is a great lens, but might not be the one for this application.

Greg

[chtgrubbs]

I'd say for couples you should be using something in the 28-35mm range.

[Reptile Bob]

A prime lens is more suited for non action in my opinion. For dances and crowded venues a zoom will let you frame your picture without bumping into people, walls, tables with punch bowls on them, etc. the 24-70 or 24-105 would be a great lens in this situation; probably more so the 24-70 because it's faster although the 24-105 has IS. Now spiders, fly’s, and beetles ... that’s what that macro is made for!

[StewartR]

There is a very powerful field-of-view calculator here (http://www.dudak.baka.com/fovcalc.html).

It doesn't have 1.6 crop cameras as an option, but if that's what you use (you don't say) then just select "35mm" (full-frame) as the format and multiply your focal length by 1.6

In your case, if your subject is 6 feet tall, allow say a 1-2 feet top and bottom for composition/framing, so you want the long side of the frame to be 8-10 feet. The 100mm lens is equivalent to 160mm in full-frame format, and the answer comes out as a subject distance of 36-45 feet.

[rdsmith3]

There is a very powerful field-of-view calculator here (http://www.dudak.baka.com/fovcalc.html).

It doesn't have 1.6 crop cameras as an option, but if that's what you use (you don't say) then just select "35mm" (full-frame) as the format and multiply your focal length by 1.6

In your case, if your subject is 6 feet tall, allow say a 1-2 feet top and bottom for composition/framing, so you want the long side of the frame to be 8-10 feet. The 100mm lens is equivalent to 160mm in full-frame format, and the answer comes out as a subject distance of 36-45 feet.

This might be stating the obvious, but for the benefit of the OP, this assumes that the camera is turned so that you are taking the picture in portrait mode.

[PhotosGuy]

to get the whole couple in the pic, Who needs to see feet, anyway? ;)

[StewartR]

Who needs to see feet, anyway? ;)Maybe it's tap dancing and he wanted some creative motion blur.:D
But then I guess he wouldn't need the heads.???

[revhtree]

LOL you guys are funny!

Anyway, yes I am a noob, and the camera is an XT. This is a formal dance, so the shots I am talking about is couples posing in a controlled area. Lights, backdrop, etc..

Thanks.

[Mark_Cohran]

I wouldn't use the 100mm macro for a setup like this. I'd probably go more with the 50mm f/1.4 or a fast zoom in the 24-70 mm range.

Mark

[revhtree]

Well ok then....

The thing is I have the 55mm kit lens, or the 100mm to choose from at this point! LOL!

[StewartR]

Well, it's up to you. When you say you are "doing some pics for couples at a dance", are they paying you? Do they have expectations regarding the quality of the results you will produce? If the answers are yes and yes, but your equipment will not allow you to deliver, then you have an interesting problem.

[revhtree]

Well I am doing it for some family. The people have the option to buy or not. I won't be paid unless the attendees want to buy some prints.

I am looking for a new lens now though for the future. :D