Recommended lens for group photos


Tucksoon

Senior Member
Dec 15, 2003
675
0
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Hi guys,

Just got myself a Canon 600D thanks to great advice from experts here. I'm using the kit lens 18-55mm and 50mm f1.8 to learn. The kit lens is a great for wide angle group shot but I'm toying with the idea having an even wider lens because I do take a lot of group photos within tight spaces. I read from various sources UWA will give distortion especially for people at both ends, but I guess a little will be fine. I might be using UWA to learn landscape, architecture photography and short film making. I also know the lens are very expensive so might rent the lens to try it out first :)

Any advice for me? Thanks! :)
 

What advice do you want? Like recomendation of lens or...? =)
 

Consider the distortion at wide angles... It's not just "a little".

And you've been a member since 2003 and never found the "Search" button? We have way way way too many posts on "lens for group shots" and "recommend UWA lens" already.

Seriously, please try to look at the previous threads, many members put a lot of time and effort into replying to them already.
 

What advice do you want? Like recomendation of lens or...? =)

Ahh...as the thread title suggested. Sorry if I wasn't clear in my first post :D
 

Consider the distortion at wide angles... It's not just "a little".

And you've been a member since 2003 and never found the "Search" button? We have way way way too many posts on "lens for group shots" and "recommend UWA lens" already.

Seriously, please try to look at the previous threads, many members put a lot of time and effort into replying to them already.

I did search for 'UWA' and 'Group photo lens' boss. I read though the results and mostly are personal ads. Sorry for sounding too newbie :)
 

I did search for 'UWA' and 'Group photo lens' boss. I read though the results and mostly are personal ads. Sorry for sounding too newbie :)

Don't do a search for "UWA". Try "recommend UWA".
 

Don't do a search for "UWA". Try "recommend UWA".

Yes sir :)

The distortion level can be quite serious then. So I think it's not a good idea to use UWA for group shot. I will read up more. Thanks :)
 

Hi guys,

Just got myself a Canon 600D thanks to great advice from experts here. I'm using the kit lens 18-55mm and 50mm f1.8 to learn. The kit lens is a great for wide angle group shot but I'm toying with the idea having an even wider lens because I do take a lot of group photos within tight spaces. I read from various sources UWA will give distortion especially for people at both ends, but I guess a little will be fine. I might be using UWA to learn landscape, architecture photography and short film making. I also know the lens are very expensive so might rent the lens to try it out first :)

Any advice for me? Thanks! :)

I would have imagined that 18mm is plenty wide for such a scenario.
Large group in a small, confined space sounds like a recipe for a brawl.... :)
 

Tucksoon said:
Ahh...as the thread title suggested. Sorry if I wasn't clear in my first post :D

Oh hmmm. There is ton of them actually. Maybe you can go browse the few UWAs available and decide on a few and than read reviews?

For example some people like the tokina 11-16 for it's f2.8 but i'm quite uncomfortable with it as the range is too limited.

So it's base on your preference. =)
 

I would have imagined that 18mm is plenty wide for such a scenario.
Large group in a small, confined space sounds like a recipe for a brawl.... :)

Hehe...then I need a fast and wide lens to capture the action :D
 

Thanks for the advice! I might rent out the Tokina 11-16 and try UWA. The range is almost like a prime! Never try such a lens before so pardon my ignorance :)
 

Thanks all especially Rashkae for teaching me another lesson on better search! All the while I thought I'm fine. Now my forum search level up :)
 

Thanks all especially Rashkae for teaching me another lesson on better search! All the while I thought I'm fine. Now my forum search level up :)

It always helps to phrase a search properly - UWA will of course return all the "for sale" ads as well, but most people will always use a phrase like "recommend me a UWA" or "UWA to intro" etc. So work with key words and you can get good results.
 

It always helps to phrase a search properly - UWA will of course return all the "for sale" ads as well, but most people will always use a phrase like "recommend me a UWA" or "UWA to intro" etc. So work with key words and you can get good results.

Roger out :)
 

Hehe...then I need a fast and wide lens to capture the action :D

I like what you said. "fast and wide lens ", But the subject are usually slow and confused, do not know where to stand and pose for the photographer... ha ha
 

I like what you said. "fast and wide lens ", But the subject are usually slow and confused, do not know where to stand and pose for the photographer... ha ha

Haha!!! Moreover the subject are likely to smash the expensive lens (and my head) too :p
 

Tokina 11-16. :bsmilie: :thumbsup:

I read and watched many positive reviews of this lens. Now checking Flickr for examples of group photos taken with it. Mostly creative and distorted shots :D
 

I read and watched many positive reviews of this lens. Now checking Flickr for examples of group photos taken with it. Mostly creative and distorted shots :D

When you are using the 11-16 to take the group photos, make sure you bring the 18-55 along....some may not appreciate the beauty of the distortion at the edges (esp females).

But also depending on the situation. If you have room to move around, I would rather use 18-55 at 35mm or 50mm to take the shot. But of course if room space is limited, no choice....
 

When you are using the 11-16 to take the group photos, make sure you bring the 18-55 along....some may not appreciate the beauty of the distortion at the edges (esp females).

But also depending on the situation. If you have room to move around, I would rather use 18-55 at 35mm or 50mm to take the shot. But of course if room space is limited, no choice....

Thanks bro for your recommendation! I do understand the issues with fattening ladies with UWA hehe. I noticed you have a 10-22. Awesome. Is it any good for group photo? Same distortion at the edges?