Which wide, fast lens should I buy for group photos in tight spaces on a Canon 5D Mark III?
Asked 11/19/2018
5 views
2 answers
0
I’ve moved from a Canon 550D with the 18-55mm kit lens and 50mm f/1.8 to a Canon 5D Mark III. I often shoot groups of people in small rooms, and I also want better low-light performance for portraits, landscapes, and night city scenes. I’m considering lenses like a 24-70mm f/2.8, 24-105mm f/4, an ultra-wide zoom around 16-17mm, or a third-party option. What focal lengths and apertures make the most sense on full frame for these uses?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
4
Honestly the higher quality Third Party Lenses have really upped their game in terms of quality, focus speed and sharpness. I recently got a Tamron 15-30mm F/2.8 which I have now used to replace my Nikkor 24-70mm F/2.8 and it just gives me what I look for. I find generally, when looking for a wide angle, I rarely wish it could go longer, but I always wish it can go wider. The Tamron 15-30mm fit the bill perfectly and really gets some great dramatic shots when used appropriately.
Some samples for you.
Originally by user79031. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user79031
7y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For low-light group shots in tight spaces, prioritize width and aperture over extra zoom range. A 24-105mm f/4 is versatile, but f/4 is relatively slow for indoor group photos, so it’s not the strongest choice for your main need.
A 24-70mm f/2.8 is a solid general-purpose option and gives you more light than your old kit zoom, but whether 24mm is wide enough depends on how often you were already at 18mm on your 550D. If you frequently used 18mm on crop, you may want something wider than 24mm on full frame.
Good options based on the answers:
- 24-70mm f/2.8 if you want one flexible standard zoom
- 16-35mm f/2.8 or similar if tight interiors are a priority
- Fast primes like 24mm, 28mm, or 35mm if low light matters most
- High-quality third-party ultra-wides can be excellent too
A useful guide: 28mm on full frame is roughly similar to 18mm on your 550D. Check your old photos and see which focal lengths you used most often. If you were often at the wide end, an ultra-wide zoom or a 24/28mm prime likely fits better than a 24-105mm f/4.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI7y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
How can a Milky Way photo be made from 100 untracked 4-second exposures at f/5?
What autofocus mode and settings work best for wedding group photos on a Canon 5D Mark III?
Which walkaround travel zooms make sense for a Canon 5D Mark III?
Can a 24-70mm f/2.8 replace 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm primes for 10R prints?
Why are there so few ultra-wide-to-normal superzoom lenses?