Which lens should I use??

[sparkie1263]

I am going to attempt a family portrait for my wifes birthday coming up next month and would like to know what lens should I use? I am thinking of taking it outside. Should I use a tripod? I have other questions I will ask later.
Thanks Frank

[DonSchap]

Set the 70-300 to about 85mm & f/4 ... then back up.

oops, that's for single subject portraits.

Uh Frank ... you may have to resort to the "kit" lens, since your lens options are limited. Good luck

[sparkie1263]

Would my minolta lens be a better choice? Or should I just get about 30 feet away and use the 70-300? Should I use a small aperture? If I use the ocean as a background do I want to use a bigger aperture. Hold on because here come the questions. LOL What focus setting should I use?
Frank

[DonSchap]

Frank,

YOU, my friend, are the photographer. Some decisions are best left done in the field.

The perfect lens for this you do not have. Perhaps you could borrow one. Either the KM 17-35mm f/2.8-4 or a TAMRON 17-50mm f/2.8

That would be the ticket, in my estimation. You called the shot ... LOL :D "Family portrait" ... "with the ocean as a background"

Daytime? Nightime? Dusk?

Sun overhead? Behind? Setting? Moonlight?

I would stick with "spot focus", at f/4 or f/5.6 ... if lighting allows. That way you will have some softening of the ocean behind everyone ... yet will not lose focus of the group. I would magnify and examine the end folks, though, just to make sure their faces are not a blur. And, yeah, use a tripod. ;)

(Personally, I would take this shot several times, at a couple of settings, to eliminate eye blink and the "I wasn't ready" crowd members. It is supposed to be a "keeper!")

[sparkie1263]

I guess you are right. I have alot of thinking to do. I better get started.
Thanks
Frank

[DonSchap]

You want to hear something I just caught wind of, Frank. It is rumored that the A900 will be able to use APS-C (http://www.photoclubalpha.com/2008/08/20/alpha-900-finder-and-the-frames/) (Di-II) lenses!

Uh ... uh ... my heart! LOL :eek:

Can you imagine? If this is true ... I just bought three lenses for absolutely no reason at all! Holy night! I guess we shall see, huh? That would be rude ... and a really cool way to get everyone to upgrade. Talk about forward thinking. I'd really have to give them credit for that move.

Good lord, what am I going to do with all this extra Di-glass? :confused:

[sparkie1263]

How can you find out if this is true? There should be some info out there. What is the release date? They got you in a panic. You could have payed for half the camera already just in the glass you bought.
Frank

[DonSchap]

Well, the glass is certainly usable ... it just duplicated. In fact, all of the Di-lenses work on my 35mm-film bodies, to be honest, where the Di-II and APC-S only lenses do not. It's not a complete loss, if this is indeed the case. In fact, it is kind of amazing (if true), because no other camera body does this, that I know of.

Still ... rather annoying. SONY could have announced this "little factoid" at the PMA 2008. This will make the 17-50mm f/2.8 even more desireable for everyone.

Like I said, we shall see. ;)

[dr4gon]

So Sony's figured out a way to maybe use aps-c designed lenses on a full frame sensor without vignetting?

And perhaps I didn't notice but are all the "Di" lenses for FF/APS-C cameras and the "Di-II" lenses for just APS-C cameras? Would make sense from the lenses I have lol.... I thought the "Di-II" was a higher grade of glass since they seemed more expensive.

Anyways, back on topic, looks like you have your work cut out for you Frank! I think I read focusing 1/3 through is the best for group portraits, but I forgot what aperture they recommend, maybe something like f8 or f10-11?

Don, you recommended the 17-50/2.8 for portraits. I think 35mm is the sharpest, but what were you thinking in terms of settings for such a task?

[seanhoxx]

Don what about the tamron 90mm for a group portrait like that? maybe Frank could rent one to try. rent it one weekend to practice, and then again for when to use it. Intersting about the lenses and the FF, could be rumor, if not, lens sale at Don's??

[dr4gon]

There should be plenty to go around for all of us :p....

Is there any decent place to rent sony lenses? Maybe it's just me being unfamiliar with the practice, but alpha lens rental is really expensive and at those prices (in addition to shipping), you might as well save your money, go to the store and look at it and then buy something to use.

[seanhoxx]

I think with Frank being able to go right into New York city he shouldn't have to much trouble renting lenses. Here in Ohio there is NO place with in 100 miles that rents alpha mount lenses.

[sparkie1263]

I am going to try to set this up for next Saturday because the wife has work and my son will be down for the weekend. I might do so test shots this weekend because everybody will be together this week too. I just don't want the wife to know so I might have to sneak away and take a few test shots. There is a local camera shop but I don't think they rent lenses.
Thanks Frank

[DonSchap]

Nah ... the 90mm is for solo portraits... it would be a problem for a group. You need width. 35mm is a reasonable setting. It's the sweet zoom area of the 17-50. I suppose the Minolta 35-70mm f/4 might be okay, but don't look for a sharp image. I would try it out on furniture ... like a couch ... then look for thread count. LOL

[sparkie1263]

I will take the shots and you do the counting. I will post the samples and you can start counting.LOL I might just use the 70-300 and stand a block away.LOL I will get it one way or another. I have two 4 gig cards to fill up. My kids will be running from me every time they see me and my camera. LOL You have to do what ever it takes to get the shot. Besides it is for there mother not me. LOL
Frank

PS I can always borrow my friends Canon.

[DonSchap]

Well, I still think (yes, it could happen) you need an AF 50mm f/1.7, Frank, at the very least. You have to have a decent short lens. At $100, if you can find one these days ... it'll make all the difference.

A lot of people sell their old 35mm-film cameras on ebay ... with ... you guessed it, the AF 50mm f/1.7 lens. Sometimes, it can be a really cheap way to score one. Just search on a "Maxxum 7000" or "Maxxum 9000".

[sparkie1263]

I have been searching Ebay and will also check for a complete kit. I am going to call the local camera shop to day maybe they have a few sitting around.
Thanks
Frank

[DonSchap]

Frank ... check this one out ... 1-day left.

Maxxum 7000 w/ lenses and flash (http://cgi.ebay.com/Minolta-Maxxum-7000-Film-Camera-w-Zoom-Lens-and-More_W0QQitemZ140258609745QQihZ004QQcategoryZ15241 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[sparkie1263]

Thanks Don I will check it out.