At 15:02 2/8/03, Derek wrote:
Hi,
[description snipped out]
Can anyone offer some suggestions? I'm not completely opposed to just
getting another prime lens, but like I said, I'd prefer to take the
opportunity to get a good all-purpose lens, which might mean a zoom lens
of some sort.
Inside a church, a long prime lens can get you into trouble if you can't
back up far enough. I've used the 35-105/3.5~4.5 and it works OK, but it
does make focus a bit more difficult than with a faster prime. Much
depends on ambient lighting. In brightly lit venues it hasn't been a
problem for me. It's the dimly lit wedding receptions after the dancing
starts that cause the most focusing problems for me. Under those
conditions, it's very fast primes only (no slower than f/2).
I'd be tempted to simply start with the 50mm and have a 35mm and an 85mm on
hand to switch to after a quick recon of the general shooting
distance. Certainly nothing shorter than 35mm (it causes more trouble with
background architectural perspectives) and nothing longer than 85mm which
presents possible issues with hand held work if you cannot use a flash.
Your other issue will be film speed if you cannot use flash. One of the
color films I've used quite successfully for available light inside
churches is Fuji's Press 1600. Unlike the high speed B/W films (TMax P3200
and Ilford Delta 3200), its true speed is ISO 1600 and it's processed
straight C-41. A bit grainier than Portra 400 or Fuji NPH (also 400), it's
not much grainier, and much less grainy than the consumer ISO 800 crud on
the discount department store shelves. Even though it's a "daylight" color
film, it's also quite forgiving in color balancing prints when used for
indoor available light shooting. When I go on a wedding shoot I always
have a roll or two of this in the bag . . . even if use of flash is allowed
during the ceremony. I've run into surprises before.
BTW, if flash is possible, consider using Kodak's Portra 160 NC or Fuji's
NPS (also 160). My preference is the Portra.
-- John
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