Wide Angle Lens

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Steve_o

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Hi,

I'm hoping to get some advice.

I'm in the market to purchase a 2nd hand Wide Angle lens. I'm wanting to use this for Landscapes but it would be ideal if I could also use it for Group Shots of more than 4 people.

At the moment I'm using a standard 18-55mm lens for shots of more than two people and I feel I'm losing detail.

IMG_3853.jpg


Is there a Wide-Angle suitable enough for what I'm looking for?

Any advice is appreciated. Unfortunately, I've asked this question on a different forum but they are very rude and don\t take into account that not everyone is as knowledgeable as them.
 
Hi Steve & Welcome :wave:

As you have the 18-55 lens are you meaning an upgrade for this lens (ie similar length) or are you meaning an Ultra Wide Angle (ie 10-20mm) ?

What Camera (make) are you shooting with and an idea of budget helps with recomendations...


Cheers
A
 
andyred said:
Hi Steve & Welcome :wave:

As you have the 18-55 lens are you meaning an upgrade for this lens (ie similar length) or are you meaning an Ultra Wide Angle (ie 10-20mm) ?

What Camera (make) are you shooting with and an idea of budget helps with recomendations...


Cheers
A
Click to expand...

I'm currently shooting with a Canon 1000D and my budget is no more than £250 at a stretch, this is why I would look at second hand primarily.

I was recommended the 10-20mm but I don't know if it would be the right thing I need.

Basically I'm in the market for a lens that is ideal for Landscapes. Maintaining that large depth of field but then also wide enough for group portraits. However, I understand that distortion could be a problem with group shots?

I'll be honest, when it comes to focal lengths I'm not sure which is best suited for my situation.

Basically, I photographed a wedding as above (voluntarily, a story for another day. lol) and whilst I wanted to keep shooting with my 100mm for portraits (and the shallow depth of field it produces) I found that I had to constantly change to my 18-55 as it was my widest lens. But I didn't like this as I felt the subjects were too far away when adjusting the focal length.

Am I making sense? Or just waffling?
 
What focal lengths are you using on your 18-55?
500mm on a crop camera is your standard portrait lens so I can understand you finding 100mm a bit too long. If you find 50mm is suitable then the canon 50mm f1.8 prime lens is cheap and very good.
Other options would be to upgrade your 18-55 or get a second hand sigma 10-20.

The sigma would be great for landscapes but even at 20mm you may find it too wide for some group shots. Imaging you could only use your lens at 20mm and see if you would find that too wide for large group shots. You don't want to get too close to people as the perspective distortion with wide lenses will make people look like they have big nones which is never flattering.
 
Last edited:
gblades said:
What focal lengths are you using on your 18-55?
500mm on a crop camera is your standard portrait lens so I can understand you finding 100mm a bit too long. If you find 50mm is suitable then the canon 50mm f1.8 prime lens is cheap and very good.
Other options would be to upgrade your 18-55 or get a second hand sigma 10-20.

The sigma would be great for landscapes but even at 20mm you may find it too wide for some group shots. Imaging you could only use your lens at 20mm and see if you would find that too wide for large group shots. You don't want to get too close to people as the perspective distortion with wide lenses will make people look like they have big nones which is never flattering.
Click to expand...

I'm using between 18 and 24mm when it came to my standard 18-55.

I've got the 50mm prime (as it was cheap) but I've found when using that I'm having to get right in the persons face to get a good depth of field.

Surely, there is a lens that wedding photographers use for large group shots? Could this not also double up as a lens for Landscape? Or am I just trying to avoid getting 2 separate lenses?
 
I love the Sigma 10-20 but personally would not use it for portraits as there is a fair bit of distortion at the wider end. I would have thought, but am happy to be corrected that 18-55 is quite good for group shots?
 
Nguss said:
I love the Sigma 10-20 but personally would not use it for portraits as there is a fair bit of distortion at the wider end. I would have thought, but am happy to be corrected that 18-55 is quite good for group shots?
Click to expand...

Maybe it is quite good and I'm thinking of something that isn't there. :lol:

I've got it in my head that Professionals would use something better....but I don't really know that for sure.
 
Hi,
Don't forget that your using a crop camera, that means your camera multiplies the focal length by 1.5

So your 50mm
= 75mm

Your 18-55mm
= 24-77mm
 
The reason you are losing detail is because you are shooting at a wide angle, getting a wider lens will only make it worse...

A better lens will help a little but if you are fitting 4 people into one frame then you can't expect to be able to zoom in to lots of detail like you can when you only have one persons face in the frame.
 
Characteristics said:
Hi,
Don't forget that your using a crop camera, that means your camera multiplies the focal length by 1.5

So your 50mm
= 75mm

Your 18-55mm
= 24-77mm
Click to expand...

the focal length actually stays the same, it is the field of view which changes. a 50mm lens doesn't magically become 75mm when its on a crop camera.
 
You could quite easily get a used tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 for your budget - they come up used for about £160-£180..... they're a fantastic upgrade to a standard kit lens and optically, they really do help you get more from your sensor.
 
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