Which of these lenses?

[90c4]

I never shoot portraits but a friend asked me to photograph his family this weekend outdoors. I don't want to spend a lot of time changing lenses since he has two young kids which will get bored quickly. My body is full frame and I was planning to use my 85mm, but will bring all of my stuff. I have:

35 f1.4
85mm f1.2
135 f2
70-200 f2.8 IS
24-70 f2.8

Lighting will be shade and I'll use a flash. Which lens should I spend the most time with?

[FiveRings]

I would think 24-70 and 35 would be your bread and butter for posed shots of the whole family. 70-200 for candids.

[90c4]

Thanks. I would have thought that it would make sense to get further away and use a longer lens, but I guess then the flash wouldn't be powerful enough. I have some reading to do I guess.

[breathless]

If I were in your shoes, I'd choose the 24-70 without hesitation. Zoom capability makes this lens ideal for such situations, allowing comfortable working distances with small groups. I find the 85 a little long for groups.

[ShotByTom]

24-70 definately! If you have the ability to get the flash off-camer, then back up and use the 70-200, assuming you have the 5D since you said it's full frame..

I haven't used the 35, but I would think it might be a bit wide and you're not going to be shooting a family at f1.4..

[caught14]

You've got some good glass there -- And as such you should consider ditching the flash if at all possible. Instead, find good light. It's everywhere. If it were me (and obviously everyone does things differently) I would use something on the long end (70-200) and just back up. The 24-70 has noticeable distortion on the wide end. It's not a bad lens, and you could easily make it work just fine. However...

Another reason I would suggest the using the longer focal length is because people are usually a bit more relaxed when you put a little distance between them and the lens. Obviously not so much that you have to yell at them in order for them to hear you!

The longer focal lengths will also help you isolate the subject from the background a bit more. If you need the extra light, you've got the 135 to give you one extra stop over the 70-200, and the 85 to give you 2 1/3 extra stops over the 70-200.

Good luck!

[90c4]

Thanks for the replies. It is a 5D (mk2). I was only going to use the flash as fill to lighten the shadows but hopefully I'll have good light. I think I'm going to start with the 70-200. I can't imagine I'd go faster than f2.8 with 4 people to keep in focus.

[korrektor]

I'll be mean (nothing new) but the your question just awed me...

You have several grand worth of glass and you have no idea how to use it... aahh screw that, but really, why do you have all these toys? My suggestion is to put those lenses in a safe and open them one by one as you progress. Don't sell them, since you'll have to buy the again.
Your question sounded like -

Surgeon - I have a heart bypass surgery - which scalpel should I use on the guy the most?

dude... you can shoot a family portrait with ANY of your lenses. You yourself is the weak link in this chain of tools vs creativity. I urge you to develop and most of all - educate yourself through practice and theory.

[breathless]

OP: How was the shoot?

[90c4]

I'll be mean (nothing new) but the your question just awed me...

You have several grand worth of glass and you have no idea how to use it... aahh screw that, but really, why do you have all these toys? My suggestion is to put those lenses in a safe and open them one by one as you progress. Don't sell them, since you'll have to buy the again.


Why the hate? I have a photo in the last issue of Rolling Stone and based on my huge lead in Billboard Magazine's Ultimate Music Moment photo contest which ends on Friday, I'll probably win that. I shoot constantly and know how to use my gear and get the most out of it in very trying situations. I just don't have much experience shooting posed portraits of people standing still with controlled lighting (which is ridiculously easy in comparison to my usual shoots). I was just looking for some tips on a type of photography that I haven't spent much time at. Thanks for your advice, and for the reminder of how dumb people can sound when passing judgment.

My shots came out great. I used mostly the 70-200 2.8 and 24-70 outdoors, the 85 and 35 indoors.

[korrektor]

look... I have see only one example of your work (metallica) I don't think you posted more. I have an idea of how difficult those shots can be...

You have a photo in the Rolling Stone and you are overly confident about winning a contest. What I am supposed to think? there's no hate here... there's just disbelief. It's like Kirk Hammet posting on a guitar forums the question about the strings he should use... that;s all.
you know what man - it's ok. it would be nice to see those posed shots though.

[RDKirk]

Why the hate? I have a photo in the last issue of Rolling Stone and based on my huge lead in Billboard Magazine's Ultimate Music Moment photo contest which ends on Friday, I'll probably win that. I shoot constantly and know how to use my gear and get the most out of it in very trying situations. I just don't have much experience shooting posed portraits of people standing still with controlled lighting (which is ridiculously easy in comparison to my usual shoots). I was just looking for some tips on a type of photography that I haven't spent much time at. Thanks for your advice, and for the reminder of how dumb people can sound when passing judgment.

Well, now, I have to comment. If you're so blazing awesome at the tough stuff, why do you have to ask for forum advice for a casual shoot of family pix? That's like Tiger Woods going on an amateur golf forum to ask for advice at playing Putt-Putt.

[spikeystitch]

Why the hate? I have a photo in the last issue of Rolling Stone and based on my huge lead in Billboard Magazine's Ultimate Music Moment photo contest which ends on Friday, I'll probably win that.

Over inflated ego's are not flattering, no matter who it is. You want information and suggestions? Learn to take the critique and understand that the advice is not always what you want to hear.

[chris78cpr]

I was going to post a constructive comment after reading your original post but after reading your reply i really can't be bothered now. That sort of attitude is not going to get you anywhere no matter how 'big' you may or may not be. Grow up and learn to respect when people actually take time to try and help or answer your question.

[vendorist]

I couldn't agree more with chris78cpr post