Easy question for group shots

[Pigsy]

Hi Guys and Gals,

Nice easy question,

What lens are you all using to do standard line up shots inside the church, say a basic gathering of 10 people in a line, the B&G + Parents, and bridesmaids etc etc?

Currently I'm using a Sigma 10-20 DC HSM F4-5.6 on a 40D for a lot of shots like this, such as inside the church, or even inside the brides home for tight areas such as bedrooms for dress shots etc. But I'm really unhappy with the results, and I don't think it's due to having a bad copy of the lens. The person in the middle of the group shot is always more or less in focus, never what you'd call pin sharp, but as for the people outside that centre zone, especially as you approach the edges, Whoa !!, even at f11, or upwards, anyone outside the "middle", are really way outta focus, so much that they almost turn into a flesh coloured blob.

Now okay, Iit may well be a fault, but regardless of that what lens are you using for this part of the day as I've also got a 17-55, but on a cropped body it's not always wide enough for the group shots

Thanks in advance

Jim..

[tim]

I have to guess it's the lens. I wonder though if the focus plane is a straight line, or a curved line equidistant from the lens - not sure I explained that well.

[ameerat42]

Someone may already have beaten me, so I'll third what "tim" said. Can you do some tests of flat surfaces? Am...

[tim]

You don't have to put "tim" in speech marks, it's really my name :p

[Pigsy]

Yeah, I have done some test shots a while back, and well, I fully appreciate that with a 10-20 you're gonna get some distortion, especially once you leave the centre of the image. Distortion I can handle, it's the OOF that's driving me crazy.

So, let's just say for the sake or arguing, that I'm gonna get shot of this lens, what is everyone else using for the group shots, don't tell me that you're all using 17-55, and standing way back ? surely not ?

and Tim, I totally follow the focal plane comment, you may well be onto something there, but nonetheless, what lens are you using ?

Just curious ..

Jim..

[tim]

I use the 17-55 for group shots. I've never done group shots in a church, 99% outside, 1% inside a room at the reception with studio lighting at F8.

[PMCphotography]

I use a 10-20 for large groups, and I get good results as far as focus goes. I usually run it through DxO so the people on the edges aren't too distorted.

[tim]

Oh I use a 10-22 occasionally for really big group shots, but i'd rather stand back and get more in the frame. The wider the lens and the closer you are to the group the smaller the faces at the back are.

[Pigsy]

Okay Tim, the 10-22 is that the Canon version ?

and Paul 10-20, is this the Sigma that I'm using ?

anymore takers on what wide angle you're all using for the group shots ?

Jim..

[tim]

10-22 is the Canon. 3.5 - 4.5 I think. Works pretty well.

[PMCphotography]

Okay Tim, the 10-22 is that the Canon version ?

and Paul 10-20, is this the Sigma that I'm using ?

anymore takers on what wide angle you're all using for the group shots ?

Jim..

Yep, that's the one. Can't recall the min. Fstops at the moment.

[Billo78]

I think the 10-20 is a BAD lens for this type of shot. The distortion of the people at the edge of the frame is very unflattering and as "tim" said you'll get a big heads at the front and tiny heads at the back which doesn't look good. You're way better off using the 17-55 and moving back further (ideally outside). I've even seen a 'tog using a 70-200 for the group shots and standing 20 metres away, no idea how they turned out but optically I'd suggest they were great (not sure how you'd go building rapport at that distance though, and she was pretty much the soup n a z i of wedding togs).

Edit: Oh, and I think there's something wrong with your lens. Everything should be in focus shooting that wide at f/11. Can you post an example?

[Peacefield]

I'll echo much of what's already been said. I use the Sigma 10-20 and it's a great lens for the price. My images are sharp across the field, but color and contrast, while good, are different than what I get through my other Canon lenses so I need to play around in PP to give them a more consistent look. I would never, though, use this lens for a group shot. If I can't get a group shot done with my 24-70 on a FF, then I've either set the shot up wrong or we need to step outside. But for environmental shots or those inside a limo, the 10-20 does a nice job for not too many $'s.

[hyeon]

i am using 11-16 for group shots, works pretty well for me.

[Valjoy]

I use the 17-55 for group shots. Unless you are really tight for room you dont have to stand that far back at all.
Maybe for the large...(all the guests) shot you need wider....but I just get further back for this shot.
cheers Val

[ScullenCrossBones]

I have used the 10-22, but I zoom between 18 and 22 for group shots.. If you use 10, the distortion is too much.

[Philco]

I've always used the 70-200 whenever possible. It never lets me down. If I absolutely can't use 70mm+, I'll use the 24-70. This is especially true when it's a group shot of two or more rows. The perspective from up close with wider angle glass will make the people closest to the lens appear much larger, especially bride's maids legs if they are sitting...very bad. I will switch to wide angle for some fun shots, just for effect, but I like to get the clean shots first.

BG is also a consideration...if there's scenery behind everyone, you can make it much bigger or smaller looking by shooting long or short.

[Pigsy]

Okay folks,

Much appreciated for all the replies and info.

I'll get the lens back to Sigma for a check out, and in future try and stick to the 17-55 then.

Jim..