Eyob Kidanmariam , Aug 25, 2008; 09:25 a.m.
I am diving into Studio Photography and would like to get suggestion on what lens to use. Since space is an
issue, I am thinking Wide Angle lens. My make shift studio is approximately 14X20.
Clarence Clarence , Aug 25, 2008; 09:48 a.m.
You're using a Canon 40D, right?
85mm/1.8 would probably be too long for a 14x20 room. 50mm/1.4 would work nice.
Matt Laur 
, Aug 25, 2008; 09:53 a.m.
Wide angle? What sort of subjects will you be shooting? Wider angle lenses rarely flatter portrait subjects.
On an APS-C format sensor, a 50mm lens means that you can get a full-body shot of a typical standing adult from about 15 feet away. That doesn't leave you a lot of room for backdrop and lights, etc, unless you're able to shoot diagonally - which also has problems, depending on your set.
Nathan Stiles , Aug 25, 2008; 09:59 a.m.
There is no "best", but for a good lens, I use a 16-45 ED (Canon's "ED" are called L-series) for a lot of my work. I also agree w/ Matt's comments: I normally shoot around 32mm-45mm. If I did standard portraits, I'd want the 80mm prime for head shots.
Clarence Clarence , Aug 25, 2008; 10:35 a.m.
If your room is already configured, take some test shots with a model (close-ups and full body) with your lighting and tripod positioned. Then check the max and min focal lengths that you used.
This is a great article comparing perspective distortion on 85mm vs 100mm vs 135mm:
http://www.wlcastleman.com/equip/reviews/85_100_135/perspectest.htm
So it would be roughly comparable to comparing 50mm and 85mm on a crop sensor.
I'd love to see the same comparison showing wide-angle perspective distortion using 16-35mm vs 50mm lenses for portraiture on a 40D or XSi.
Clarence Clarence , Aug 25, 2008; 10:45 a.m.
Steve Levine 
, Aug 25, 2008; 12:12 p.m.
Ralph Berrett 
, Aug 25, 2008; 03:01 p.m.
I use these three lenses 14-24mm f/2.8, 28-70mm f/2.8 and the 70-200mm f/2.8. I have used these lenses in such tight
areas with my portable studio (Norman ML600R), with the DX and FX format. My favorite lens for head shots with FX format is the
70-200mm. When space is tight and I am shooting DX format I like the 28-70mm for Head shots.
Marc G. 
, Aug 26, 2008; 08:59 p.m.
14 x 20 what ? Feet...?
There is no ideal lens, only ideal lenses for a given situation and subject matter.
Bill Dewberry , Aug 26, 2008; 10:06 p.m.
For full frame 70-200 2,8L IS ; for Dx, convert the numbers, and find the nearest L lens.
Emily Koch , Aug 27, 2008; 07:59 p.m.
I love my 18-200 Nikon VR and use it 95% of the time in my studio shots.
Andy McMaster , Aug 31, 2008; 07:03 a.m.
i use a mix of the canon 24-70 f2.8L 17-40L f4 70-200 f2.8L
they are all nice crisp sharp lenses, i personally prefer zooms over primes :)
there is no perfect lens but there are some very good ones out there ; )
Tonio Lombardi , Sep 02, 2008; 05:31 a.m.
i use 24-70mm f/2.8L awesomely sharp at above F8. Sometimes i find it too short though...
