Help please – Christening, which lens?

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Cyb

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Colin
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A friend has asked me to take a few photos at their Childs christening this Sunday.
It’s not something I really like the idea of but
1. They are friends and
2. It would make a change from the norm’.

I have two lens an 18-135mm and a 10-20mm I wonder which would be best?

I did consider the wide angle but I worry if using it relatively close up it might cause a little distortion on people’s faces?

Any suggestions appreciated.
 
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Definitely the 18-135mm. Assuming the D80 is a 1.6 crop sensor (silly Nikon names.... ;)) then, you probably want to be sitting around the 50-80mm zoom range. This will give you fairly reasonable close ups for the portrait shots, and then you can just zoom out for the group hugs...

The wide angle will cause distortion, and seems unnecessary to me.

If you had more time, I'd strongly recommend something like a nifty-fifty, as the tight DoF, and quick shutter times are absolute god-sends for knocking out dodgy backgrounds or low-light church conditions, when flash would just be unnaturally harsh (for those of us with minimal flash knowledge and equipment!).

That's my 2p, hope it helps :wave:
 
Heartily second the use of a fast prime, such as a 50mm. I'd guess that light will be in short supply inside the church.
 
Definitely the 18-135mm and check beforehand if you allowed to take pictures with or without flash. Some churches allow it some don't.
 
Thanks guys I appreciate the comments:thumbs:

I would love a 50mm– (hopefully Santa might lower one down the chimney:))

So I’ll go for the 18 -135 and will take the 10 -20 with me but I can’t see being able to swap lens around while everyone waits, as christenings can often include more than one family at a time so ‘font time’ might be a premium.

I also take the point about asking what’s what in the church and I gather we have to wait until after the service and the baby dunking ceremony before taking any pictures, so again time might be short.
 
Good luck Cyb, must admit I love using the nifty fifty for pictures of Hannah.
 
every situation will be different - but almost certainly you need a fast lens - at least f/2.8 - faster would be better - and a body with high ISO capability.
 
Always a good policy if time and distance permits, to do a pre shoot visit. Even arrange to sit in the back of the church during another christening.

Speak to the vicar after for his thoughts on your shoot.

I always see or gain something from a pre shoot visit.
 
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