I'm looking for a good portrait lense that I can use where the entire group will be sharp and in focus.
I have a Sigma 28-70mm 2.8-4 DG but when I take a portrait only one person is in focus. Does anyone have any tips on getting more than one person in focus with this lense or is it not possible for this particular lense to habe en entire group in focus.
I'm looking for a good portrait lense that I can use where the entire group will be sharp and in focus.
In the price range of ... ?
Originally posted by rbryan22:
I have a Sigma 28-70mm 2.8-4 DG but when I take a portrait only one person is in focus. Does anyone have any tips on getting more than one person in focus with this lense or is it not possible for this particular lense to habe en entire group in focus.
Were you using it at f/2.8? Try a wider aperture, like f/8.
Here are two photos I took last weekend using the sigma
aperture for both photos was 4.0.
//www.dpchallenge.com/portfolio_edit.php?IMAGE_ID=677058 focal range of 28mm and
//www.dpchallenge.com/portfolio_edit.php?IMAGE_ID=677059 focal range of 32mm.
Looking at the review for this lens at FredMiranda, I think f/4 is a bit too wide open for this particular lens. It si not a bad lens for its price, but it needs to be stopped down a bit (try f/5.6 or f/8) and requires some postprocessing too. If you think of buying a higher quality lens without spending too much money, try the Nikon 35mm f/2
Here are two photos I took last weekend using the sigma
aperture for both photos was 4.0.
//www.dpchallenge.com/portfolio_edit.php?IMAGE_ID=677058 focal range of 28mm and
//www.dpchallenge.com/portfolio_edit.php?IMAGE_ID=677059 focal range of 32mm.
Looking at the review for this lens at FredMiranda, I think f/4 is a bit too wide open for this particular lens. It si not a bad lens for its price, but it needs to be stopped down a bit (try f/5.6 or f/8) and requires some postprocessing too. If you think of buying a higher quality lens without spending too much money, try the Nikon 35mm f/2
Thanks for the advice. I'll keep practicing...it seems by what I'm reading the lense is sufficient but I need to work on the technical end of using it.
I shoot a lot of portraits of both couples and groups. The key is to use an Aperture that gives enough DOF to get everyone in focus (as a couple of other people have mentioned). I would say, for two people who are standing next to each other, using f/5.0 at an absolute min. If you have to pump up the ISO, do it. You can fix noise in PP, but not out of focus. As for some other technical aspects, I would say to pay close attention to your composition: Avoid negative space and fill the frame with the subject. Also, someone mentioned WB: use a shade or cloudy setting when outside.
As for a lens to get, i would HIGHLY suggest the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D for $100. It is amazingly sharp by f/4.0 and for the price, nothing compares. On a side note, I have found that when taking portraits, primes are the way to go. 50mm is an excellent focal length, one of my bread and butter lenses. Good luck on your search!
When shooting a group, does it help if they stand in a curved line? I.e. the people on the ends move a step closer, then those next to them half a step. Would that keep more in focus with a narrow DOF? Forgive me if my question is so stupid that you wish to cause me bodily harm. I am new to this optics thing.
When shooting a group, does it help if they stand in a curved line? I.e. the people on the ends move a step closer, then those next to them half a step. Would that keep more in focus with a narrow DOF? Forgive me if my question is so stupid that you wish to cause me bodily harm. I am new to this optics thing.
Not unless the lens doesn't have a "flat field." By flat field, I mean that the focal plane of the lens is just that, a flat plane. Most lenses have some slight curvature of the focus plane, but not enough to be really noticeable. With groups, you probably are not going to be using f/2.8 or wider apertures, more likely f/5.6 or narrower. Curvature of field at these apertures is a non-issue.
So the bottom line is, have your group stand in a straight line!
I'd check out a depth of field calculator such as this one
Just putting some quick info in, at 70 mm with f2/8 from a distance of 10 feet, your depth of field is 0.69 feet. (A little over 8 inches). Change your aperture to f/8 and your depth increases to nearly two feet.
edit: oops! Missed the previous post suggesting this already
