BetterPhoto Q&A
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Best Lens for Parties, Puppies, Etc.

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April 13, 2010

http://www.wlcastleman.com/equip/reviews/85mm/index.htm

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April 13, 2010

With the camera you are using, any 85mm lens would not be the best for a birthday party. On a cropped camera, you have the equivalent of a 135mm lens on a full-size 35mm camera or full-frame DSLR camera. That is perfect for a head-and-shoulders photo taken about eight feet away. The best lens, without purchasing a new lens, is your 24-105mm f4L. You may have to raise your ISO to 800 but your current camera will be okay with that. You may even be able to use ISO 400. But I would avoid ISO 1600. You have a zoom capability effective from 38mm to 168mm, so you are able to get close-ups when the kids are on the other side of the room. If the kids are closer, or there are a bunch together, you can zoom back to the 24mm setting. Plus, you have all the range in between.
Do yourself a major favor. Take the best photos possible by taking the time to think what you are trying to capture. You may miss out on a couple incidents that would have been great to have captured but you will be admired for taking time and thought by giving them your best.
There are going to be times when you want to use a smaller f-stop so take a lightweight tripod along so you can take a longer exposure, such as 1/25" @f8. Also do not use the shotgun approach trying to capture everything. Let the moms do that with their P&S cameras.
When taking close-ups of the children, do NOT use the wide-angle up close. It distorts the face too much. As an example, put your fist against a mirror and place your nose on it. Move your fist and take a good look on how you look close up, then step back from the mirror a step or two and notice the difference. You have also seen why people close their eyes when kissing. :-)
Try to preplan your photos. Take a special portrait of the child whose birthday it is. The children playing games, decorations the presentation of the birthday cake, the cake itself and the kids eating it as well as the opening of gifts. Oh, I forgot. While you have nothing else to do, you have to make sure that you have taken photos of all the guests. You don't want to hurt any feelings. And, finally, you have to take a picture of the mess that remains at the end of the party. Then get out quick or you will have to help with the clean-up.
Rather it be you than me.
Have fun and Good Luck!

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April 14, 2010

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April 15, 2010