 Tammy Proctor |
Canon Lense for small studio portraits I have a studio thats 10'x12' and a canon 30d. Since I dont have a lot of space - I want a lense that will allow me to get everyone in the picture. I would like to not bust the bank on the lense but I am willing to spend it if I have to. I have been researching Canon lenses but would like some better photo opinions. Thanks so much
|
|
|
|
||
|
Alan N. Marcus |
Hi Tammy, Lens selection is based jointly on the media size (film/chip) and what we intend to accomplish. Your Canon 30D sports a CMOS sensor that measures 15mm height by 22.5mm length. We need to calculate the diagonal of this rectangle. This value plays an import part in your lens purchase decision making process. The diagonal measure for the 30D is 27mm. This is an important value to know because if you mount a lens with a focal length about equal to the diagonal measure, the resulting images are said to be “normal” as to perspective. Stated another way, if we had to choose just one lens to mount and it was to be a fixed focal length lens, we would likely choose one with a focal length somewhere between 25 ~ 30mm. Shorter (smaller numbers) and the lens fall in the “wide angle” realm. Longer values and the lens is said to be a “telephoto”. Note that the 30D is normally sold with a zoom that has a range of 17mm ~ 85mm. When set to 85mm, objects will be 3 times larger (closer) than the normal view, this is a telephoto setting. At the 17mm setting objects will be about ½ normal sizes, this is a wide angle setting. Some folks tend to blow off these facts. Since photography is both an art and a science, you need to know that there are no norms in art. Your discussion making process should include experimentation with the lens you already own. You might find that it yields highly acceptable image for your studio. Another consideration, for portraiture, it is generally understood that the lens of choice is one with a focal length that is about 2.5 times the diagonal measure. For the 30D this calculates out to about 67.5mm. The lens you already own enscopes this value. So why buy additional lenses? You need great magnification to cover sports and/or nature photography? So buy a telephoto that to reach out and capture eyelashes on distant critters. You need a super wide angle to shoot the Grand Canyon or to capture a large group in your small studio? Maybe you need a f/1.2 fast lens to shoot in reduced light? Sorry if this isn’t the advice you want. I only dispense marginal technical twaddle. Alan Marcus
|
|
|
|
||
|
Tammy Proctor |
Thank you - any advice is good. This gives me something to think about!
|
|
|
|
||
|
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here
Report this Thread |
||