HELP: Lens advice for event?

Hi everyone,
I am the unofficial photographer for my daughter's baby shower to be held in a restaurant for 50 people. The
room is right for 50 but it is not a big banquet room. I am not sure about the lighting but since this is a restaurant,
I don't expect it to be very bright. I use a D610 and have Nikon 50/f1.4, 85/f1.8 and a 24-85/f3.5-4.5.
Should i rent any lenses - maybe the 24-70/f2.8 or the 14-24/f2.8 or 16-35/f4? Maybe something else - a 35/f1.4?
What would you recommend? I have a speed light but prefer fast lenses and boosting ISO. Please tell me what you
think would work best. thanks for your help in advance.
Eric

If you can get your hands on a 24-70 for reasonable price I'd go with that. Otherwise I'd just use the 24-85 with the flash bounced. The 50 and 85 would be good, but might limit you in a close environment. Just my thoughts.

Well this is the sort of situation, really, in my opinion, that screams for a Speedlight; but you're pretty much ruling that out. If you want to try and go with a fast aperture and a higher ISO, well that's certainly an option. Personally I'd be concerned about depth of field in a situation like you are describing and that would be the deciding factor on which lens I would go with. Really, though, if it were me, I'd bounce or diffuse the flash and enjoy all the flexibility using a flash would afford me.

....

I agree with the fishy guy, Boosted ISO and fasts lenses are great, but freezing motion at lower shutter speeds with a flash may be important. If you can't hit a decent shutter speed with the DoF you will need shooting groups, you may be disappointed in your results. I've found my 24-70 2.8 and SB700 to work fantastic for events. I'd think the 24-85 will be fine if you don't need any OoF elements, otherwise I'd rent a 24-70 2.8. Personally I would not bother with primes at an event.

I'm with the speedlight idea. Sounds like your 24-85mm would be great with that combo.

Maybe. I don't know how tight the area is. And how much room you can get. If it is really tight then the 14-24 might be a good pick. A speed light is a must. With either a bounce or diffuse.

I don't have direct experience, but I've not heard good results with flash photography and an UWA lens like the 14-24mm. I think your best bet is the 25-70/f2.8 and a speed light if you need to freeze motion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Eric - Can you visit the venue prior to the event to check things out?

You may be able to put up a speedlight or two in corners of the room and trigger them remotely.

I would use the F1.4 lense. Where possible - mostly for close ups at F1.4 without flash. For general ambiance and groups, you will have to jack up the aperture to F8 or even F11 to get every one in focus. That is where you need a powerful flash.

If you don't want to use a flash, I'd run just the 50 1.4 all day. I've done similar events on my d7000 with only the 35mm. You generally will have time to set up your shots and be close to the subject, so I'd take the wider aperture over the variable 23-85 focal distance. The 24-70 is a great pro lens if you want to spend the extra rent money, but I'd personally just rock the 50 1.4 the whole time.

Thanks for all the replies. Generally, outdoors i like my 24-85, but indoors i think its variable aperture is a hindrance.
I am strongly considering renting a 24-70/2.8, especially after the advice offered here.
Rick - what do you think of your Tamron? Is the Tamron with VC a better choice than the Nikon without?

after reading again your comments, i have decided to visit the restaurant and check out the space, the lighting and
logistics. Really, this is a bit of a challenge since i haven't the requisite knowledge or experience, but i do have a camera, some lenses, and really enjoy photographing people.

I do these kinda things professionally (indoor venue events), of all others, 24-85 + flash is plenty. I see no reason you wouldn't be able to use flash in which case a 24-70 2.8 may save you some.

Shoot RAW, post, and that's about it.

eal1 said:

Thanks for all the replies. Generally, outdoors i like my 24-85, but indoors i think its variable aperture is a hindrance.
I am strongly considering renting a 24-70/2.8, especially after the advice offered here.
Rick - what do you think of your Tamron? Is the Tamron with VC a better choice than the Nikon without?

Click to expand...

I really like the Tamron and the VC is fantastic. The Nikon is excellent, but I wanted the VC and it is slightly smaller/lighter.

eal1 said:

Thanks for all the replies. Generally, outdoors i like my 24-85, but indoors i think its variable aperture is a hindrance.
I am strongly considering renting a 24-70/2.8, especially after the advice offered here.
Rick - what do you think of your Tamron? Is the Tamron with VC a better choice than the Nikon without?

Click to expand...

Flash and body compensates and adjusts for that. You DO need to know your flash and distance, but if you own it, it should be like the back of your hand.
@eal1 space and place only really dictates whether you can get away w/ the diffuser, use the bounce card/built-in diffuser/spreader. Darker venues, more light, lighter venues, less light as the ceiling/walls will help bounce. Also ceiling height.

Everyone has their way of shooting, and if it works for you it is the right way.
Personally I would use the 24-85 that you already have, and use bounce flash. Once you learn to bounce flash, it is amazing what can be accomplished.

i am really intrigued by differences in lens performance and have enough interest in the real world differences between the 24-70 2.8 and my 24-85 that i will rent it. However, an interesting twist. i spoke to two advisors from the prominent lens rental companies and one said the Tamron is better because of their vibration control while the other said the Nikon 24-70 was simply sharper. Interesting how there are proponents of each lens.

After absorbing all the advice on this forum and conflicting advice from the lens rental companies about the relative merits of the Nikon & Tamron 24-70 lenses, reading reviews and researching these lenses, i rented the Tamron 24-70 2.8. I don't know if the vibration control will help me, but I prefer having it just in case... i have never before used such a heavy lens and the lighting in the restaurant may be very low. And, I figure that i would never feel comfortable purchasing the Nikon 24-70 unless i tested the Tamron - so i may as well test it sooner than later. I will let you know how it works out. Thanks for the advice and your time.

eal1 said:

After absorbing all the advice on this forum and conflicting advice from the lens rental companies about the relative merits of the Nikon & Tamron 24-70 lenses, reading reviews and researching these lenses, i rented the Tamron 24-70 2.8. I don't know if the vibration control will help me, but I prefer having it just in case... i have never before used such a heavy lens and the lighting in the restaurant may be very low. And, I figure that i would never feel comfortable purchasing the Nikon 24-70 unless i tested the Tamron - so i may as well test it sooner than later. I will let you know how it works out. Thanks for the advice and your time.

Click to expand...

This is just my generalization for this type of event (i.e. baby shower). For the most part, most will be ok with their cell phone as thrir camera. Add a D600, 24-85mm and speed light, auto ISO up to 1600 - 3200, M mode, 1/60 - 1/80, f5.6 and you are good to go.

Unless you just want to use that event to buy a new lens then go for it. F2.8 is nice but I expect that you will be shooting mostly group shots and you'll need the dof of the f5.6 to get everyone in focus.


Glenn
Caution: Typos may occur randomly.

Thanks Glenn for the best parameters in Manual. I am renting the tamron on my 610 and may also bring my D7000 as backup, maybe with a 35mm 1.8 DX which is a really nice little lens, and allow family and friends to also take photos using that. I know the guests will take pictures using their cell phones, but i want to provide my daughter and son-in-law with a little album that I shot at the baby shower.ANd, you are correct - i might just purchase the lens if i love it. I know the 24-85 is a good lens, but it doesn't do all that well when i travel to europe or elsewhere on vacation and walk into dark churches and cannot use flash. I don't have much to lose by renting to see how well the 24-70's work and, perhaps, if i like the tamron and how it renders color, i might just be in line to purchase it! Oh, and while i like group shots, i will try to isolate my wife and daughters and i do love bokeh and the feeling it conveys when individuals are featured in the photo.