50mm prime or 17-70 for party photos??

[Ellen]

Hi everyone

I'm taking photos tonight at my sisters 21st. Which lens should I use - 50mm f1.4 or my 17-70? I will also be using my new sigma flash. I'm thinking take both just in case, but I think I might get better results out of the 50mm, but like the idea of having some room to move with a bit of zoom.

Thanks in advance
Ellen

[ricktas]

Take the 17-70, and if you have something like a 70-200 take that as well. Getting good candid shots can mean being away from your subject and getting that shot across the venue, the longer focal length can come in handy. Certainly the 17-70 gives you some good scope to zoom in or out a bit. The 50mm is good, but you might find yourself wishing for something wider when you go for group shots etc.

[Harves]

The 17-70 would give you more flexibility at taking individual and group shots.

A matter of interest...... From EXIF infomation, I wrote down all the focal lengths used at the last wedding I photographed, they were between 18-112mm, not too many shots at each end of the scale, more in the 28-85mm range. It was an interesting exercise, although time consuming.

[kiwi]

hmm, Harves, there is a software program that can do that automatically for you, I can dig it up if you like

Yeah, take both, if its really poor lighting or you struggle with the new flash the 1.4 might be handy. It's only little

[Ploddy]

Wot they said. I would use the 50 for 'hey guys, want me to take a photo of you?' shots, and a zoom for the candids.

[Ellen]

thanks heaps guys!!! hopefully will be able to post some rippers tomorrow

[Harves]

hmm, Harves, there is a software program that can do that automatically for you, I can dig it up if you like

Thanks for the offer Darren, I just did it out of curiousity that's all

[arthurking83]

hmm, Harves, there is a software program that can do that automatically for you, I can dig it up if you like.....

I reckon Darren is referring to:

Exposure Plot is a brilliant lil program that helps you analyse what focal lengths you have a preference for.

In this instance, it'd be used to plot the most common focal length used for a given event, and allow you to see where your preference lies.

Harves, this thing is so much easier than doing it manually!

[enduro]

I have a 17-70mm and can recommend it as an all round lens and wouldbe good for your purpose as the zoom would come in handy.

The 50mm would be handy, however you might be in a bit of trouble if you a wanting the 50mm to act as just at on a a non FF camera. A 32mm is effectively a 50mm on a 1.6 crop.

While we are on the 17-70mm* can someone confirm the white dot between the 24m and the next increment on the zoom ring is 50mm? TIA.