Low Light Restaurant Dining - 24L or 35L?

I'd like to get some advice on whether the 24L or 35L would be more appropriate for taking photos of people sitting across from you at a restaurant dining table in low light.

The last time I took (digital) photos in such a setting was with a 24-70L and from what I can remember, I was set to 24mm or so on a Rebel XT. Another time I was using a film camera (35mm) and had a 28mm lens on. I didn't have a 35mm to compare with, but the 28mm was a better FOV than the 55mm I had.

So I'm planning on being sat at a table that's probably 4' x 4' or a booth where the other people at the table will be about 3' to 4' across from me. I'll be using a 5D. I want to be able to take photos of the persons across from me as well as the food and drinks that will be served as well.

What do ya'll think or recommend?

Given that you are sitting at the table, you probably would be best to go with the 24mm and lean over the table (ala footzoom) to frame tighter. You can't quite go as wide with the 35L as with the 24L but you can get closer with the 24L in order to mimic the 35L.

Poe wrote in post #7111849
I'd like to get some advice on whether the 24L or 35L would be more appropriate for taking photos of people sitting across from you at a restaurant dining table in low light.

The last time I took (digital) photos in such a setting was with a 24-70L and from what I can remember, I was set to 24mm or so on a Rebel XT. Another time I was using a film camera (35mm) and had a 28mm lens on. I didn't have a 35mm to compare with, but the 28mm was a better FOV than the 55mm I had.

So I'm planning on being sat at a table that's probably 4' x 4' or a booth where the other people at the table will be about 3' to 4' across from me. I'll be using a 5D. I want to be able to take photos of the persons across from me as well as the food and drinks that will be served as well.

What do ya'll think or recommend?

24L would be my choice on a cropper.

ed rader

ed rader wrote in post #7111876
24L would be my choice on a cropper.

ed rader

I'm not using a cropper.

Maybe this will help... the 24L is typically the lens I will go for when I'm heading out with friends. Here's a couple from a local bar, all with the 24L + 5D:

Poe wrote in post #7111883
I'm not using a cropper.

oh. 35L in that case .

ed rader

Definitely 35L.

Crop 24L
FF 35L

You can't go wrong with either.

You could check out on your EXIF from that shoot what FL you used most. That'll help determine which lens would better suit you.

35. imho the pics enclosed had some distortion on them. The closer you get the more distortion on faces you get. the 35 will have plenty of wide for you to include a few subjects.

I guess it depends on how tight the space is where you're shooting, how much distortion you will find acceptable, and if you're OK with perhaps missing pictures because you're too tight.

The 35L will distort as well if you're too close. With the 24L, you might be able to keep people out of the corners of the frame to reduce the amount of distortion on them, but with the 35L you may be filling the frame with people and getting more distortion on them.

I use my 10-22. As long as the camera is horizontal, there will be no distortion except for the extreme edges. Those you crop out, if you wish. Oh, I bring a flash and bounce it. I'm not interested in disguising high ISO, less than perfectly sharp shots by processing them in black & white.

I'd post a few but I do not post shots of people without their permission.

If you are set on a prime, then the 24 would easily be my choice over the 35 for this type of shooting. I wouldn't use either over the 10-22.

I agree with Tim. It all depends on the size of the table and the space that you have to shoot. If you shoot at 24mm, and it's too wide, you can always crop it a bit. If you're at 35mm, and cannot get everyone in the frame, you have a poor shot where people's scalps are chopped off.

Not quite what you are after but this is in very low light with the 85mm f1.2 on FF:

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TheGaffer wrote in post #7116290
Not quite what you are after but this is in very low light with the 85mm f1.2 on FF:

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Yeah, so if you can climb up into the rafters of the restaurant, the 85L will be the lens for you