What to do..

My sister just informed me that they wanted me to take some family portraits tomorrow.. There will be about 15 bodies there. All I have is the kit lens with my xt and 430ex flash... I'm thinking of renting the canon 16-35mm f2.8 from a local shop. I will be taking pictures outside and inside. Weather looks like it'll be in the 40's, partly cloudy. Question is, will that be a good portrait lens? How well will my xt handle the lens? Here is a list of lens that they have for rental. Any other suggestions for lens? Thanks.

24mm f3.5L TS-E


50mm f1.2L USM

50mm 3.5 Macro

10-22mm 3.5-4.5


16-35 f2.8 L

24-70 f2.8 L

24-105 f4.0 L IS

70-200 2.8 L IS

28-135 3.5-5.6 IS

70-300 4.0-5.6 IS

300mm f2.8 L IS

100-400mm 4.5-5.6 L IS

I'd shoot it with the kit lens at f/8. The lens is really quite capable stopped down a bit and it is exactly in the range that you will want for this shoot.

Agree use the kit lens. I would even stop down to f11.

Considering the size of the group, you're going to need to stop down anyway. Soooo, as the others have said, the kit lens will serve you well. Save your money. Also, with 15 people, I hope you've considered the lighting. If you don't have a studio setting, or wide indoors area, a good outdoors location is best.