BetterPhoto Q&A
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Piper Lehman		portraits indoors I hope I'm not repeating myself--just wrote out a long questionaire and then lost it-- I need some advice on lenses, film, lighting, the works... I'm planning to do some casual portraits indoors on Thanksgiving. The only flash I have is the pop-up on the camera (Pentax ZX-50). The salesperson at Wolf Camera said I shouldn't need a faster lens to do indoor portraits--that I should be fine with one of my tele-zooms and my tripod, of course, because of the slow shutter speeds I'll have to count on with an f/4 or f/4.7 max ap. If this is true, then what print film would you advise? Would I be able to use 200 indoors with a faster lens? I'm so confused! Lenses I currently use: pentax 80-200mm, f/4.7-5.6 sigma 70-300mm, f/4-5.6 (macro @ 200-300mm) sigma 24-70mm, f/3.5-5.6 pentax 35-80mm, f/4-5.6 Also, would like to understand why a lens always gives the second max aperature # (i.e., f/4-5.6) Does this mean f/5.6 is the max aperature for a particular focal length on the zoom? What print film type/speed/etc. should I use indoors for portraits (color & b/w)? What extra lighting should I use; should I use a reflector? Thanks, piper To love this question, log in above November 14, 2001

Hermann Graf		Too many questions at once; my advice: consult a good book on photography. 80-200mm f/4.7-5.6 means that the maximal aperture shrinks from f4.7 at 80mm to f5.6 at 200mm (no problem as long as you use TTL metering). Generally spoken, the lenses you mention are a little bit slow for indoor photography (i.e., the aperture is relatively limited), which forces you to use high speed film such as 800 ISO. A tripod is not always a solution when your indoor objects are moving. Especially for portraits, it is necessary to separate fore- and background, which can only be achieved with small DOF, i.e., larger apertures. The recommended focal length range for portraits is 80 to 135 mm, preferentially 85 to 105 mm. Kodak 800 Portra print film has a good reputation for indoor portraits. To love this comment, log in above November 15, 2001

Piper Lehman		Oops! sorry about the barrage of queries. Hope I didn't break any rules. As far as photog books, Hermann, I have plenty of those, but I still haven't found the one that says, "Hey, Piper, here's everything you need for your particular situation." I'm just looking for the answers all at once, I guess. I learn better with someone guiding me a step at a time. Forgive me. I'm 37 1/2 and losing my retention abilities... :) thanks for the help, Hermann. To love this comment, log in above November 15, 2001

Oscar		Hey, Piper try the book "Lighting Cookbook." It covers a myriad of studio photo lighting setups which tells you exactly how the shot was set up. It also has an excelent equipment glossary. Until you obtain the book, however, this is my immediate equipment suggestion; Lenses: Use the 80-200 4.5-5.6 Pentax (Probably won't need to but you should not exceed 125mm for portrait work with this lens) Depending on the amount of space you are working with you may get away with just using this lens for full lengths and possibly group shots. Use the pentax 35-80 when space or artistic desires dictate. Flash (At least two) Flash heads are great and Sunpak, Pentax and others make great models. Alway make sure you can adjust the output in manual mode. Monolights are an option to consider since in general they offer greater power than flash heads, but come at greater price-Photogenic makes great monolights. Also light stands. Film Negative Color: Fuji NPS 160, Kodak Portra 160, Aghfa 160. All excellent films, but as Herman mentioned if you are working with low light you will have to pick a higher speed film. Nevertheless, in general if you are working indoors with flash with 150 watt/seconds or more, odds are you will be able to pick the slowest film you desire and may have to use a smaller aperture. Black/white negative: Kodak Tmax 100, Ilford Pan F 50., Kodak Tmax 400. Slides: Fuji Astia 100 Flash Meter Sekonic L-508. Be forewarned this is expensive at about $350. Happy shooting. To love this comment, log in above November 15, 2001

Piper Lehman		Thanks, Oscar. I'm a little confused still as to why you think the Pentax f/4.7-5.6 is a better choice than the Sigma f/4-5.6. Are you an "anti-Sigma" person? In this case, I think the Sigmas I own are probably better lenses than the Pentaxes. I haven't shot enough yet to really tell a difference though. Thanks for your help. piper To love this comment, log in above November 15, 2001

Tony Peckman		Piper, Take all their advice. Sounds to me like you're going to shoot portraits on Thanksgiving (specifically) because family will gather. You don't have the equipment for pro looking portraits, but you have fine lenses. I have a Pentax ZX-30, and purchased a cheap Pentax AF220T flash A($49 @ B&H). The lighting difference is amazing from the camera pop-up, BUT it's still straight on flat lighting. Use the Sigma lens(Oscar is not "anti-Sigma), the suggested Kodak/Fuji film, a tripod and don't worry about the rest of it. Just try to get a background that doesn't have any distracting things in it. Look through the viewfinder...does anything distract you from the subject? Then change it. Good luck. Let us know what you came up with. To love this comment, log in above November 20, 2001

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