Small area 'portrait' lens?

Not people portraits, but shelter animal portraits (cats/kittens mostly).

I'm volunteering at my local animal shelter as a photographer, and start on Wednesday. I thought I was going to have more room to work, where my 85mm or even 100mm would have been perfect, but as it turns out, I'll have very limited space to take the photos.

The kittens are to remain in their kennels (limit exposure to other animals and diseases), and the adult cats I'll have to stay in the 'pod', which is a small area about 6'x10'. This make for very tight shooting.

I have the Sigma 10-20mm, the 18-55mm IS kit lens, and the 50mm 1.8 Mark I. I can't see going any longer then 50mm. I doubt the 10-20mm would be useful due to distortion. I'm going to bring the other two, but what would guy guys ideally bring? Would the 24-105L be a better choice (ie., and excuse to buy a new lens)? The 24-70L is not in the budget for now. Anything else you'd suggest? Camera is a 50D.

I'd say the 24-105 would be ideal, but the 18-55 would likely be good as well. Both will likely need some additional light, so make sure you bring your flash.

i think maybe the newer sigma 30mm f1.4Art...

take your 18-55mm...use it first, and see what focal lengths work out for you

you say you wouldn't go over 50mm, so the 24-105L seems like a waste, you could get a 17-5X f2.8 stabilized zoom instead

If you don't have a flash, I think that will make a bigger difference than any lens will.

Heya,

I think the 30~35mm range with a flash bounced from the ceiling would do you well. Your kit lens would do this just fine. I wouldn't use this as a reason to buy new glass unless you just want new glass for a lot of other reasons.

Very best,

Tamron 28-75 2.8. Great sharp lens that I think will fit your needs, and doesn't break the bank.

I rented the Sigma 30 1.4 Art. Really good lens. Flash will have more impact on your photos than a new lens will, so that would be choice #1 for me. Then would come a new lens...although it is obvious you are trying to find a reason for a new toy

To echo some of the suggestions above, use your 18-55 IS and bounced flash.

FL will be your main selection criteria as these kittens will (there will be exeptions) sit still most of the time.
I made pictures of kittens in an asylum before and used my 24-105 on a 40D.
It just depends on how big (or small they are) and what kind of photo's you want.
Getting to close or using flash might scare them off, remember that some will have a traumatic experience with people.
For head only I was mostly shooting around 70mm FL and whole kitten between 40 and 50 mm.

Shot at 50mm / F5.6 could get very close on this one.
Some of the kittens got a new home and their chances of getting one increased with a nice picture.
So regard it as hobby time very well spent.

I knew asking in this section would get me answers! thanks everyone!

archer1960 wrote in post #16442083
I'd say the 24-105 would be ideal, but the 18-55 would likely be good as well. Both will likely need some additional light, so make sure you bring your flash.

Flash is in the bag.

DreDaze wrote in post #16442157
i think maybe the newer sigma 30mm f1.4Art...

take your 18-55mm...use it first, and see what focal lengths work out for you

you say you wouldn't go over 50mm, so the 24-105L seems like a waste, you could get a 17-5X f2.8 stabilized zoom instead

As much as I'd like the 30mm ART, I think the 24-105 or a 17-55 would see more use in general based on what I shoot typically.

davidmtml wrote in post #16442169
If you don't have a flash, I think that will make a bigger difference than any lens will.

Oh, yeah, flash was already planned. I have quite a number of them (upwards of 20, but only actually use about 4)

MalVeauX wrote in post #16442187
Heya,

I think the 30~35mm range with a flash bounced from the ceiling would do you well. Your kit lens would do this just fine. I wouldn't use this as a reason to buy new glass unless you just want new glass for a lot of other reasons.

Very best,

I'm always looking for a reason to get new glass! Aren't all of us to some degree?

Russo09 wrote in post #16443035
Tamron 28-75 2.8. Great sharp lens that I think will fit your needs, and doesn't break the bank.

I'll be looking into that. Nice range, and fast.

BrickR wrote in post #16443057
I rented the Sigma 30 1.4 Art. Really good lens. Flash will have more impact on your photos than a new lens will, so that would be choice #1 for me. Then would come a new lens...although it is obvious you are trying to find a reason for a new toy

You read between the lines.

xarqi wrote in post #16443079
To echo some of the suggestions above, use your 18-55 IS and bounced flash.

Will do

hennie wrote in post #16443159
FL will be your main selection criteria as these kittens will (there will be exeptions) sit still most of the time.
I made pictures of kittens in an asylum before and used my 24-105 on a 40D.
It just depends on how big (or small they are) and what kind of photo's you want.
Getting to close or using flash might scare them off, remember that some will have a traumatic experience with people.
For head only I was mostly shooting around 70mm FL and whole kitten between 40 and 50 mm.

Great stuff, and I look forward to helping these little guys get a new home. You are echoing what I was thinking, that 55mm may be long enough, but I may need a tiny bit longer.

hennie wrote in post #16443182
Shot at 50mm / F5.6 could get very close on this one.
Some of the kittens got a new home and their chances of getting one increased with a nice picture.
So regard it as hobby time very well spent.

I'm really looking forward to it, and they're even allowing my 12 year old daughter to be my 'assistant', so she's been bouncing off the walls! We're both animal lovers, so this will be a great rewarding experience for us both.

Thanks again everyone for your advice!

17-XX + flash

even a kit lens with a good bounce flash will produce excellent results.

An acquaintance of mine who is a professional cat photographer primarily uses a 24-70/2.8. He works in a tent-like structure (i.e., a relatively small space) with a posing platform in the middle, studio strobes and various toys to stimulate the cats. The "tent" keeps the cats from escaping (some of them are quite valuable) and allows him to work without a regular assistant, usually just the cat breeder/owner to help with handling the cat.

You can see a few examples of his work at http://www.chanan.com/ or pick up just about any cat magazine (Cat Fancy, etc.) and you'll find lots more.