Team Photo

I'm taking a team photo for the girls jv lax team. My best photos have been with a pentax 55-300. I also have a tamron 28-75 which seems like it would be better, but they never come out as clear. Or... i have the kit lens. Would it be a big mistake to use the 55-300?

the 55-300 is pretty sharp. the bigger question is, can you fit the team w/ the 55's FOV? or do you need a wider angle?

i recently took my daughters softball team and i didn't use my 55-300. i used my sigma 18-50

--
'when 900 years you reach, look as good you will not'
-- master yoda

http://jordanpaw.zenfolio.com

Thanks!

i may have to be pretty far away... i think there are 18 girls. i usually use the tamron, but i'm usually not happy with the photos - always a little soft. what about the kit lens...?

srorke said:

I'm taking a team photo for the girls jv lax team. My best photos have been with a pentax 55-300. I also have a tamron 28-75

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I don't know if this is indoors or outdoors but why not try both of them iif you have time. 55-300 is pretty good if there is enough distance to get whole team on picture

kit lens should be good.
--
http://www.flickr.com/ehrant
http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/eemelirantala

your tammy 28-75 should be very sharp, unless of course it has problems

the kit lens should be just fine

--
'when 900 years you reach, look as good you will not'
-- master yoda

http://jordanpaw.zenfolio.com

My 2 cents worths is use the Tammy and stopped it down. My tammy is seems sharper to me at f10 or so.

Thanks very much. I used the 300, and it came out pretty good. at least it's clear and everyone fit. a little squinty into the sun, but that's not the camera's fault! i think they will like it.
the f10 tip on the tameron is good- maybe that's been my problem with it.

Thanks!

I'm curious whether you are using the Tamy at the same F stop as the Pentax. Just because a lens is capable of shooting at f2.8 doesn't mean that its got the adequate DOF for a group at that f stop.

You probably have already thought of the above, in which case i recommend that you do some focus checking of the Tamy lens when you get more time. perhaps its FF or BF for you.

Another question, are you doing these group photos handheld or on a tripod. What shutter speed, iso and aperture would you typically use for a group shot? What camera?

I don't have the Pentax zoom you are talking about, but i do have the Tamy 28-75 and i find it very sharp. Maybe you could have it looked at by Tamron, something doesn't sound right?

Just brain storming here, no offense meant,
--
Phil B
K20D, K10D

better late than never!

Thanks very much. I have to think something is wrong with the tamron. I had it looked at once, and they said it was ok, but it's never seemed that good. i do much better with the 300... but - i'm really just winging it and there is a lot that i just don't understand.

My daughter is now playing volleyball, and i can't get any indoor shots. if i invested in another lense, what would it be... Would that DA-55 1.4 lens work?? i can sit somewhat close to the game...

should i get that k-x? i have a k-10 D but i have a feeling that it's also getting a little tired.

srorke said:

Thanks very much. I have to think something is wrong with the tamron. I had it looked at once, and they said it was ok, but it's never seemed that good. i do much better with the 300... but - i'm really just winging it and there is a lot that i just don't understand.

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It would help if you posted some shots you are not happy with, and explained what you are unhappy with. Perhaps some direct comparisons against the 55-300, same subject, same exposure.

srorke said:

My daughter is now playing volleyball, and i can't get any indoor shots. if i invested in another lense, what would it be...

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Depends - why can't you get shots with your current lenses? If you think 55mm would be decent focal length, I'd think the Tamron 28-75 would be a great choice.

--
Marc Sabatella
http://www.marcsabatella.com/
Blog: http://marcsabatella.blogspot.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcsabatella/

Make sure that your Tamron is focusing correctly before giving up on it. Try this method to check focus accuracy - http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/cameras/1ds3_af_micoadjustment.html

--
Steve

http://www.pbase.com/steephill