What lens would I use?

[angel1213]

When using a large format 4x5 camera for portraits and group portrait pictures (of about 20 people) what would be the best lenses to use?

[John Kasaian]

At what distances?

[angel1213]

not sure, a good enough distance to get full body for the individual portraits and a few waist up. and then for the group photo I need to fit 20 people comfortably.

I really need to know what mm of lens, ya know, like 150mm or a 250?

[Luis-F-S]

Then it really doesn't matter u just get further back if too tight

[mdarnton]

I'd think in terms of at least 150mm or so. Long enough to avoid distortion of people at the ends, not so long that you need a football field. In general, considering the space, longer is better if you want something conventional looking. I'd do some tests, estimating the width needed for those people, and the distance you'd need to be away from then, then decide if that's close enough to be communicating effectively (you don't want to have to use a bullhorn). 210mm might put you too far away. I personally think 135mm is possible but risky. 180mm.... maybe. Myself, I'd try that for a start.

[Corran]

I'm not a portrait expert. I mostly shoot unscripted, candid images. In that capacity, 150mm is by far my favorite and most versatile focal length for all sorts of people photos.

I can shoot full-length portraits:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ge2BlS_e64o/T-ef-Y98H0I/AAAAAAAAA08/iXF5dIJnC9g/s900/0216s.jpg

I can get a bit closer and shoot half body or 3/4 portraits:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j7tS62Lwb14/UlhBC8QyuOI/AAAAAAAAD-Y/n800Nb-NLAQ/s900/awa-1692.jpg

Or even closer for chest-up portraits:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YpdCs7hk7Kw/UmVIRptHFRI/AAAAAAAAEDE/FtnDEg8hzCo/s900/vericolor-1744s.jpg

I wouldn't do tight headshots with a 150mm, possibly a bit too wide - I'd likely reach for a 210 or 250 on 4x5.

However the 150mm can do group shots well too:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aHEPaYoiGFc/VKR4G5Cv4gI/AAAAAAAAGMw/lywXVjR3X3A/s1000/christmas2014-0741s.jpg

Watch out for perspective distortion, as I got slightly here, from people being closer to the camera from side to side. I should have used a bit more rear swing to correct it, but didn't have time. Setting up the camera square to the group would also fix that.

If doing a huge bridal party or something, you might want a wider angle lens, especially if you can't back up more, but really 150 could cover most anything you throw at it.

Excuse all the photos, I hope they illustrate the point.

For reference, the first image was taken with my 150mm APO Symmar, the rest with my 15cm APO Lanthar. First image is T-Max 100, second and fourth is Fuji 160S, third is old Vericolor of some type.

[Alan Gales]

At what distances?

This!

If you are outside with plenty of room then a normal focal length is fine for group shots. If you are inside with your back against the wall then as wide a focal length as you need.

For single portraits you can use anything from a normal lens to a long lens depending upon how much room you have, how close up you want the portrait to be and how much compression you want. You can even use a wide angle lens if you don't mind distortion and are going for a certain look.

[Jody_S]

As above, no wider than 135mm, no longer than 180. You can always get a convertible lens, like a 135/235mm or 150/260mm convertible Symmar. Very sharp at the shorter focal length, somewhat softer with the rear group alone as you might want for a head and shoulders portrait.