Lens to use for Engagement Shoots

[lvstenys]

I need an advice for what lens to use for my first engagement shoot. I'm doing this shoots for my first portfolio and im kinda nervous. I want to add to my confidence with a nice lens and some other equipment that i need. Thank you for the advices.

[Karizmatik]

Reflector + Flash first and foremost.

Then... What body are you using? FF or Cropped?

For Cropped, the recommended seems to be the Canon 17-55mm - Matched with a nice prime (Canon 50mm L or Sigma 30mm, etc).

I'm sure personal preference and shooting styles would lay heavily on it too.

[lvstenys]

I have a 40D, im thinking about the Canon 50mm L. What kind of reflector like the hand held?

[Subimatt]

What lenses do you currently Have? Although the 50L is really nice, unless you need the 1.2, Id recommend going with the 50 1.4 and the 17-55 IS. Will wind up being very similar in cost and a much more versatile range.

[lvstenys]

I have a Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 and Canon 70-200mm F4 L

[quachro]

IMO, I think having one UWA (16-35 or 17-40), one prime (50mm), and a zoom (70-200mm) is all you need. That will give you all the coverage you'll need.

[evo82nv]

I use a 50mm f1.8 prime, 17-55mm f2.8 and a 70-200 f2.8

[leroy_sunset]

50mm and a zoom that fits your style. Indoors, I'd go with maybe a 17-40 with a flash and bounce it. Outdoors, either nice and wide or a 70-200 to allow them more intimate interaction without you being all up in their grill :D

Total novice talking here :D

[jblaschke]

I have a Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 and Canon 70-200mm F4 L

That's a perfectly good pair of lenses for you to start with. I understand that Tammy's reasonably sharp and the Canon is one of the best telephoto zooms available. At this point, I wouldn't worry about additional glass.

The poster above had it right--you need a speedlite and a reflector. The reflector makes a HUGE difference in filling in shadows and evening out illumination. If there are more people there besides yourself and the subjects, coopt someone to hold the reflector just outside of the shot. You can even bounce your flash off it for more diffuse lighting. Use the flash itself as fill if/when you need it. But if you have good ambient light and someone to hold a reflector, you may not need the flash at all.

Also, since this is your first shoot of this nature, bracket, bracket, bracket! :-)

[lvstenys]

What's the use for bracket? Im sorry im still a novice. i'm still thinking about doing the shoot but if i don't do it im not going to learn.

[evo82nv]

Bracketing allows you to vary the exposure value, it is more used in HDR but is good practice. If your exposure is not correct, plus or minus either 1/3 or full stop one will be spot on.

[lvstenys]

Oh ok i know what you're talking about. Thank you for the advice.

[Shooting]

I use a 50mm 1.4 which translates to a good 75mm on my XTI, perfect...

[shimmishim]

I did an engagement shoot outside with just a 24-70L and 85 1.8. I think those should give you more than enough coverage since space won't be limiting (on a 40D).

[Josh G]

I use a 24-70mm on a 5d mkII most of the time.

[tim]

Read these

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=476788
http://laurencekimblog.com/index.php?link=135

I do very, very few engagement shoots, my 3rd ever is tonight - a little surprising since i've photographed about 100 weddings. I'm taking the same gear as I do to each wedding, but i'll mostly be using a 17-55 and a 30 F1.4 on two 40Ds. I have the 70-200 F2.8 IS and light stands/radio triggers for off camera flash in the car just in case too.

[amonline]

I used to do all my e-shoots on crop with a 17-55 and 60mm. Sometimes, I'd pull out the 70-200.

[Bkolowski111]

I have a Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 and Canon 70-200mm F4 L

I think you're good to go!!

[shutterfly39]

I'm in the same position - shooting my first enagement session next month. Tim, those are great links. Very helpful. Thanks for posting.