Best lens(es) for studio use

[david_may3]

Next to my regular place of employment, there is a merchant with a small

storefront. He's losing money every month with rent, utilities and his

otherwise lost labor efforts. I'm thinking of offering him half the price of

his lease ($675 full, $350 1/2) to sublet. He'd still be stuck for the other

half of his lease but no utilities. The storefront is 15 X 50 feet. It's in a

strip mall with lots of road traffic and surrounded by residential

neighborhoods.

 

With a long alley to shoot in, best lens recommendations for optimum family

portraiture? I have 50mm SSC, 100mm SSC, and 135mm SSC prime (Canon FD) lenses

and a bunch of zooms.

 

I have a little over 2,000 W/S of power for 7 lights (3X 500 W/S).

 

I would appreciate any info.

 

David S. May

[leicaglow]

I think you would be fine with that arrangement, but I wonder if you wouldn't really want to shoot digital these days. I'd also prefer an 85mm, but 100mm will do. You have more than enough lighting, so long as you have the proper backdrops and some light modifiers (scrims, snoots, etc.).

[david_may3]

Mike,

 

I am thinking of going digital. The Canon Rebel XTi has 10.1 Megapix, which is just under the early Canon 1Ds. Still reading about the difference in lenses from one camera to the other. Seems like the flash will be a problem on a Rebel. Don't know about the 1Ds.

 

David

[giggles]

Believe it or not, I use my 18-200mm lens about 90% of the time when I am in my studio. My studio is small and I like the flexibility it gives me when I am not able to move around myself.

[russ_britt3]

I would use the 100, but I like my 85 the best on that camera.But I would not change cameras untill you find out if you can make the studio work. Nothings wrong with film....but if you continue with film I would upgrade to Medium format, not say say 35mm would not work for you, depends on shootin style.

My favorite studio tool is the Hassey elm , with a 150mm or 120mm, with electronic cable release. That way you don`t have to always be with the camera. Some times when you walk away from your camera and talk to the subject you can get a much more realaxed shot....

 

But its really not about the equipment, its the photographer.

A good subject helps.....