wide lens recommendation for Nikon body

Hugh_C

Hi,

I have an assignment coming up which involves a large cathedral, a choir and an orchestra. They will be lit with theatrical lighting. Any suggestions for lens hire for a D300 / crop body, presumably something pretty fast and covering wide to short telephoto. Needs to be very sharp.

Thanks,

Hugh

melekalikimaka

10-20?

Hugh_C

PS I should mention I have a Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 IF-ED AF-S already, so looking for suggestions wider than 24. thanks

Slidinginfinity

Depending on budget I would choose one of these, thought the 2.8 would be my choice.
11-16 f/2.8
12-24 f/4

Dara Robinson

I have just finished using the DX 10.5 mm Nikon lens.
Here are some results
Now, it was used with a D700 and as I was stressed out (long story but 2 models were a no show and a tonne of other small issues) so I did not think to set the camera for DX lenses so I am currently processing them. If you keep an eye on my main page tonight or tomorrow I will be uploading half of the processed ones. But should help to give you an idea.

While the lens I was using was not ideal for my camera it would have been for yours and I will be getting an FX for mine. I fell in love with it and the results were brilliant. Its not for regular use tbh but when you are able to use it the results will be amazing. Well worth the cash

CabanSail

When do you need it?

I have recently aquired a 20mm f2.8 AF that is rather nice. I also have a Sigma 10-20 which is nice & wide though not that fast. On order I have a Samyang 8mm Fisheye.

You can borrow any of these, on the basis of break them & you bought them, unless I am using them myself.

PopeBuckfastXVI

Go with the Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 if you can, fast and super sharp (by all accounts).

It's been sitting on my wish list for a year or two... *sigh* some day...

Also, bring lots of light, if you can. Remember that even if you can't flash their faces while they are singing you can do it in between songs, especially if you get agreement first.

Also, while they are tuning up it looks like they are playing!

I had to do something similar recently, orchestra & choir in a poorly lit university hall. I brought a single flash with silver umbrella, wasn't a great setup due to the claustrophobic nature of the hall, but certainly proved it's worth in a couple of shots. If you could stick one on either side you'd be doing pretty well. Even bare flash would be better than none. If you can use a gel to balance the flash all the better, I didn't and the lighting mix was so bad all I could do was convert them all to b&w.

I brought my 50 f/1.4 and even at 1.4 I had to put the ISO up to about 800 to get any sort of usable shutter speed when I wasn't using flash - on a d80, yet another reason to go b&w!

Good luck with it, looking forward to the results!

pixbyjohn

I would suggest the Nikon 17-55 f2.8 Any wider will distort

Hugh_C

Thanks for all the suggestions - I'll be shooting the rehearsals, so flash hopefully won't be an issues - I have an SB-600 and 800 and a few triggers, so happy out. Caban, that's an extremely generous offer (again), the shoot is on Good Friday, so a little way off. I may well be in touch.


Regards,

Hugh