Lens for Taking Group Shots

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Think I know the answer, but what lens would you choose to get a group of eight to ten people in focus (two rows). Indoors or out. I use Canon Gear, I was thinking the 17-55. Also have the 50 1.4 but don't think I can get enough DOF in a fairly tight shot.

[Michael Pancier]

the 16-35L, 17-40L would work; the 17-55 EFS 2.8 should work; if the space is too tight, with the 50d, I'd also suggest the Canon EFS 10-22.

[Alan Melle]

For me it would depend on close I had to be or how far away I could get and how much BG I wanted to include or exclude. DOF would be a function of the lighting and the ISO/aperture you chose. The 50mm 1.4 should give you the needed DOF just as the 17-55 would given the same lighting.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Was thinking W/A, sounds like both will work. Thanks for the replies, will probably give them both a try. Also have the Sigma 10-20, just want good DOF, sharpness, a tight shot, and no distortion at the edges. Lighting is not really an issue. TX.

[Mike Tracy]

I recently was the hired gun for a anniversary party. Took a frame with 17 folks in two rows. It was at 28mm.

[Michael Pancier]

the superwides will give you distortion e.g. 10-22 especially in very tight quarters....

if you have strobes or you have the lighting set for exact same output; put your camera in vertical with lens in 35-50 range; tell everyone to stand still for a minute; and pop off 3-4 images and stitch in photoshop...

[Charles Glatzer]

I would use nothing shorter than a 35mm full frame equiv, and I would try to avoid tilting the lens up or down unless using a step stool. Distortion will most likely occur with extreme wide lenses, not a good look for people on the edge of the frame. Better to kick up the ISO a bit and use f/8 or f/11. If indoors use at least two strobes, getting one off camera. The further back you move the off-camera strobe from the subject the closer in exposure (f/stop) both rows will appear.

Chas

[Jackie Schuknecht]

I will never live long enough to learn everything. Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

[Tony Whitehead]

I do a lot of soccer team photos which are a similar scenario. My favourite lens on a full frame body is a 50mm 1.8. Small, light, sharp and unobtrusive. f8-9 covers the DOF fine. Bounce flash off a white ceiling with a small white card on the flash head to bounce some light forward can work if you're restricted to 1 on camera flash.