Author Topic: Best lens to rent for an outdoor party?  (Read 5245 times)

Best lens to rent for an outdoor party?
on: August 08, 2011, 22:18:58 PM
In a few weeks I'm off to a large fete type outdoor party which will go on late into the evening. Im going to rent a lens from fixation for the event, I want something to do long distance paparazzi style shooting as well as closer shots. As fast as possible as well for the night shots. 

Nikon fit, any recommendations?

Ideally i'd like an 18-200 f2.8 but I don't think it exists.

 

Formerly sexytw

Re: Best lens to rent for an outdoor party?
Reply #1 on: August 08, 2011, 23:07:54 PM
Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G IF-ED VR?

You're not going too get a 2.8 on that kind of range :P

These people get good feedback BTW.. above lens on link below..

http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/nikon-standard-18-c.asp

Re: Best lens to rent for an outdoor party?
Reply #2 on: August 09, 2011, 20:24:15 PM
Would that give me nice shallow depth of focus on longer shots? And low enough aperture for the evening? I love my 1.8 50mm and think I might be disappointed even at 2.8

Ive been thinking it might be best to take two lenses, something like a 24-70 2.8 with a 70-200 2.8, although I could just stick with my 18-70 stock lens and get the 70-200to compliment it.

Ideally i'd like to get nice reportage shots without being intrusive, but I also want some nice staged shots.

Last Edit: August 09, 2011, 20:34:32 PM by sexytw #187;
Formerly sexytw

Re: Best lens to rent for an outdoor party?
Reply #3 on: August 09, 2011, 23:41:49 PM
Would that give me nice shallow depth of focus on longer shots? And low enough aperture for the evening? I love my 1.8 50mm and think I might be disappointed even at 2.8

Ive been thinking it might be best to take two lenses, something like a 24-70 2.8 with a 70-200 2.8, although I could just stick with my 18-70 stock lens and get the 70-200to compliment it.

Ideally i'd like to get nice reportage shots without being intrusive, but I also want some nice staged shots.

I'd say take both and judge the situation (I'm not sure what the stock lens is like, but expect it wont have a great aperture), and might as well take the 50mm as well ;). But if you can get hold of a second camera, you wont need to keep switching lenses, one question though, if you are doing evening shots, how about a flash?

And before you say, you don't like the effect from flash shots, have you used a proper camera flash, not the onboard rubbish? If you then angle the flash upwards, Ideally with a card to bounce the flash off of, or a diffuser...

Re: Best lens to rent for an outdoor party?
Reply #4 on: August 10, 2011, 08:50:53 AM
I've got a jessops shoe flash but I've never been able to get good results from it, it has a diffuser and a reflector attached but no matter what I do the light always seems harsh. I only ever use it for off-camera stuff now. Maybe this would be a good time to read up and give it another shot, any pointers / good guides you know of?

The stock lens is pretty poor but im not not sure i want to carry more than 2 lenses, or if I want to rent more than one.
Formerly sexytw

Re: Best lens to rent for an outdoor party?
Reply #5 on: August 10, 2011, 11:13:42 AM
which flash do you have?

This one? http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/67558/show.html

It's one of the flashes I use, and can get good results from it, you obviously don't want to be too close though, and I usually have it at a similar angle as in the pic with the diffuser.

Also I've just bought this which I hear can get you good results..

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/universal-flash-bounce-reflector-diffuser-set-with-carrying-pouch-80403

Re: Best lens to rent for an outdoor party?
Reply #6 on: August 10, 2011, 13:16:31 PM
Yep, that's the one. I'll try and do some reading around techniques and take it with me, thanks.

Im currently thinking I'll rent the 70-200 2.8 and take my 50mm 1.8 and stock 18-70 and flash. Should give me plenty to play with and enough potential to get good shots.

Thanks
Formerly sexytw

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Re: Best lens to rent for an outdoor party?
Reply #7 on: September 06, 2011, 00:51:55 AM
And before you say, you don't like the effect from flash shots, have you used a proper camera flash, not the onboard rubbish? If you then angle the flash upwards, Ideally with a card to bounce the flash off of, or a diffuser...

I can see a slight problem with this approach:

In a few weeks I'm off to a large fete type outdoor party which will go on late into the evening.

You can maybe use the catchlight for some fill, or use the flash direct when the subject is backlit - I'd say try taking the flash off the camera.

Then again presumably he's got some outdoor lighting - I'd just stick with the 50mm 1.8

Unless its a big garden then I'm not sure a 70-200 would be much use

Re: Best lens to rent for an outdoor party?
Reply #8 on: September 06, 2011, 12:43:42 PM
As is always the way I didnt manage to get to fixation in time (and didnt have enough available credit to cover the holding deposit).

I took my two lenses but did a terrible job of taking photos. Only took a handful, not of which were particularly interesting.
Formerly sexytw

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