Wide angle lens useful for indoor model photography?

[Henry Low]

Hi guys,

I am planning to do some model photography, mainly indoors. I am wondering if a wide angle lens such as the tokina 17mm ATX pro F/3.5 would be more suitable than a 28-75 range lens (tamron f/2.8)? Which one do you guys think I will be using more? I want to do full body shots mainly. I also have a 50mm F1.8 mki lens but found it WAY to narrow on my 20D with its stupid 1.6x.

Thanks in advance guys,
Henry

[donlavange]

I think it is too wide. And she/he would not be pleased with the rendition of the face.

[Ferdinand]

For indoors/studio work (apart from PRIMES) I prefer the 24-70mm f/2.8 sometimes my 70-200mm f/2.8 IS, some outdoor shots when I have to get into tight spaces or want a more dramatic look I will go with the 16-35mm f/2.8

[Cordell]

That would be pretty useless IMHO. you would be capturing a lot of surrounding area instead of the model (assuming you're talking about people).

[cmM]

it depends very much on the shot you want. if you do indeed want the sense of depth a wide angle lens gives you, then 17mm is great. It's not normally used, but I've seen model shot taken with fisheyes :D

[Longwatcher]

I shoot models in the studio a lot.
I primarily use a 28-70L, but I also use a 16-35 and a 70-200.

I use the 28-70 for full and partial body shots.
This works out to about 75-80% of my shots.
I use the 16-35 for up close off-tripod artistic shots. About 10-15% of my shots
I use the 70-200 for head and portrait type shots. About 5-10% of my in studio shots.

Just depends on what look you are trying to achieve. For straight fashion shots with the D60/10D/20D cameras I would go with the 28-75 lens you mentioned over the 17mm lens. The 17 is a bit too wide unless you have absolutely no room to shoot in. It will also provide too much distortion. The better lens would be a Canon 24-70L (you shots will look better overall), but if otherwise yes the 28-75 range is a much better range and will give you much more flexability then a prime.

Assuming you are using studio lights I personally think the Canon 28-135 IS lens would be an even better choice then the Tokina 28-75. They are within $10 of each other on BH and I suspect have similiar quality levels. The Tokina may give you more aperture (which might be important), but the Canon will give you more flexability. Plus I know the 28-135 will take some good pictures allowing you to go from full body to head shots with one lens.

Just my opinion,

[Andy_T]

Assuming you are using studio lights I personally think the Canon 28-135 IS lens would be an even better choice then the Tokina 28-75.

I do not think so.

The Tamron 28-75 /2.8 will give you incredibly sharp images if you shoot it at f/3.5-4.0 (or at f/2.8 if you have a good copy) that equal the sharpness of the Canon 24-70/2.8 L. The same can definitely not be said about the Canon 28-135 IS. Also a nice lens, but not in the league of the Tamron, image quality wise.

If you like primes, another option would be the Canon 35/2.0. Same build quality as the 50/1.8 MK I.

Best regards,
Andy

[Henry Low]

THanks for all the repliess.. actually i was thinking of the tamron for the 28-75 F2.8 zoom.

From what is said here, I think i wil lget teh Tamron :)

or how about a Canon 20mm prime with a F2.8? how is that lens interms of sharpness? I realized that because its a prime lens, it would be more difficult to compose shots, but would it give me any advantages in terms of sharpenss comapred to the Tamron 28-78 F2.8?

Thanks

[Longwatcher]

I do have to mention that sharpness is not everything when shooting models (especially female models). That is why they have soft focus lenses.

And you are right, I had looked up Tamron data for the zoom, but typed Tokina for both.

[Adam Hicks]

While I agree that sharpness is not always the thing to focus on when shooting models, it's a LOT easier to ADD softness than it is to remove it! I'll take a razor sharp original anytime... then I'll have my way with it.


Adam

[nat869]

Typically I use my Tamron 28-75 and also my 50 1.8........I get great results with both. The Tamron is nice because I have to convert my living room, which is small, into my studio, so the zoom really comes in handy.

[nat869]

While I agree that sharpness is not always the thing to focus on when shooting models, it's a LOT easier to ADD softness than it is to remove it! I'll take a razor sharp original anytime... then I'll have my way with it.


Adam

Exactly!!!!

[sjprg]

One of the drawback of wide lenses is foreshorting. Don't try to use one on a sitting model, Her legs will come out huge in relation to the rest of her. Sitting poses with wide lenses need very careful posing.

[blinking8s]

One of the drawback of wide lenses is foreshorting. Don't try to use one on a sitting model, Her legs will come out huge in relation to the rest of her. Sitting poses with wide lenses need very careful posing.

good point...

best bet...find a bigger room...if you cant get what you want in a room with the 50 its probably not an ideal location.