Lens for large group shot@

What is the best lens for a large group shot? About 20 people 3 rows...inside? 17-85? 16-35? 10-22????

How much space do you have to work with? I think something like a 24-70 would be fine. I have had great success with it during weddings.

What camera body? How much space? I would recommend using the longest FL you can to try and avoid the severe distortion effects of UWA/WA.

I am a little lost in mm...24-70 is that wide angle? I want to get a 10-22? What do you think, I love extreme wide angle!@

How much is the 24-70?

Unless you need to shoot the group from about 6 feet away, you really dont need a 10-22 lens. You may "love" wide angle, but it really isn't the best lens for this type of shot, as the distortion it will introduce wont gain you any friends!

For groups of this size I use my 24-70 with no problems at all.

TJ

Typically I shoot with about 70mm for portraits. I find that there isn't any distortion at that length. I went to a graduation recently and shot with my 16-35 since I was in a crowded reception hall and the distortion definitely showed.

[PAUSE] OP better tell everyone what camera body this lens is intended for use on!

Two of the replies come from people who have one FF and one APS-C body, and the FL choice is very dependent upon which one is owned by the OP. 24mm is not 'wide angle' on APS-C, it is 'very wide' on FF!

Matt30D wrote in post #6226837
I want to get a 10-22? What do you think, I love extreme wide angle!@

Ultra wide angle lenses and portraits usually don't mix. Distortion tends to lead to unflattering results.

Matt30D wrote in post #6226847
How much is the 24-70?

About $1200

Rent a lens, I'd say the 16-35. (I'm assuming a 1.6 crop)

Then get as far back as you can and zoom in as much as possible.

The 24-70 is pretty soft wide open.

therealmr wrote in post #6226992
The 24-70 is pretty soft wide open.

Mine isn't

TJ

10-22 isn't the ideal lens for group shots, it is wide as mentioned, but may distort on the ends, which would kinda stink.

The 16-35 is a fantastic lens, but fairly expensive for what you get. I'd recommend the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, depends if your using it on a crop body or not, but the f/2.8 and IS would be great for indoor low lighting or handheld shots.

Otherwise, the 17-40L is an option too.

I usually shoot groups with the 35L on a FF body. That would be around 24MM on a crop.
If you want a zoom both the 17-55 EFS or the 24-70L would be good choices.

from OPs username im guessing on a 30D. 17-55 or 24-70 would be fine.

I will use equivalent FL so we don't need to care about body and sensor size.

Unless you have absolutely no space to back up, I suggest use no shorter than 30mm FF equivalent for group shots. Use longer FL if you can, like 35mm or 50mm. The problem with short FL is perspective distortion: People in front row will appear noticeablely bigger than people in back row. People in middle appear bigger than people on the outside. People on the outside appear to be wider (fatter) than they actaully are ..... All in all, it doesn't give a natural look.