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11-12-2012, 05:41 PM   #1
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Wide Angle Lens suggestion

I did the Schools year 12 cohorts photo this using my Sigma 17-70 F2.8-4.5 DC Macro (See below)
But its not that sharp and I still didn't have enough room to do it properly.

fair enough to say its a poor photo in terms of student behaviour, it was a rushed job and we intend to do it better next year. But!

I need suggestions for a wider lens, baring in mind it need to be sharp and flat.

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11-12-2012, 05:48 PM   #2
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The DA 15mm F4 limited comes to mind!

Pentax-DA 15mm F4 Limited Review - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

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11-12-2012, 05:50 PM   #3
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DA 15 limited seems to have distortion under control pretty well and pretty sharp at the edges if you stop down to f/8 or so. But is there any way you can rearrange the grouping closer to 3:2 aspect ratio?
11-12-2012, 05:59 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by baro-nite Quote
But is there any way you can rearrange the grouping closer to 3:2 aspect ratio?
Not realy, there will a little more students next year.

This image is croped as well in to thet current 16x9

11-12-2012, 08:16 PM   #5
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The problem isn't that you need a wider lens, the problem is you need more room to shoot.

Why don't you spend some time between now and next year and find a place to shoot where you can get farther back? Or rent some bleachers and make 3 rows. Or rent a cherry picker and shoot from up high.
11-12-2012, 11:19 PM   #6
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I'll chime in for the DA 15 also. You will end up using it for much, much more than than your yearly group portrait. Mine is on the camera 75% of the time. The DA 12-24 is highly regarded also. People who own both say the corner sharpness is better. I don't own the zoom but there are plenty of posted photos from both lenses on the forum to compare. It might be possible to rent one of the lenses for the shoot.
11-13-2012, 12:47 AM   #7
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You could also try stitching,
but then you might get one or two pupils
who show up on both sides of the photo.

11-13-2012, 12:51 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by reeftool Quote
It might be possible to rent one of the lenses for the shoot.
All the rental places in Melbourne are focused on the Canikon variety unfortunately. I don't think there are any places in Australia at all that even have any Pentax lenses for rental that I am aware of.
11-13-2012, 02:01 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by huyie Quote
All the rental places in Melbourne are focused on the Canikon variety unfortunately. I don't think there are any places in Australia at all that even have any Pentax lenses for rental that I am aware of.
I knew the answer to that question already, I have bucklies and none of finding a Pentax rental place in Victoria.
11-13-2012, 03:07 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by bdparker Quote
I have bucklies and none of finding a Pentax
Might have to decipher that one for our overseas friends.....
Maybe you could get them all to stand in a semi-circle, or add more rows, as already suggested.

Regards
11-13-2012, 07:58 AM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by bdparker Quote
I have bucklies and none of finding a Pentax
QuoteOriginally posted by sam-joseph Quote
Might have to decipher that one for our overseas friends.....
Let me try: A "Pentax" is a rare brand of camera.
11-13-2012, 08:41 AM   #12
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One more thought . . . . The 15mm Limited is a nifty enough lens, but it's totally unsuitable for this shot. For this shot you want sharp edge to edge across the frame. The 15mm Limited just will not do sharp across the frame--it's got huge curvature of field. Two thirds of your subjects will be out of focus and will probably not buy prints.
11-13-2012, 09:12 AM   #13
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Here's my experience with shooting such occasions:
1. Get DA 17-70mm.
2. Use its 24mm-35mm range as it has almost no distortion. Find more room if you can.
3. Set ISO to 100-200 and aperture 5.6~8.
4. Use tripod and make sure camera is level.
5. Use live view focus or manual focus.
6. Shoot & you'll be happy with your result.
11-13-2012, 12:47 PM   #14
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Assuming the position from which you shot this picture was not with your back against a wall, why not just back up?

According to this test: Sigma AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC (Pentax K) - Review / Test Report - Analysis

You might get best results at 35mm and f/8. Compared to 17mm there's less geometric distortion, less CA, and more corner sharpness.
11-13-2012, 01:06 PM   #15
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@msatlas. I'm on a 8ft ladder in the garden with about only another 8-6ft of room to move back.
This is where the principle wants the shot and besides it faces west (to the sun)
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