Recommendation please

[Wonderwoman]

I'm looking for a recommendation for lens(es).  I'm planning to volunteer for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (stillbirth/end of life  photography) to help parents/siblings heal from tragic loss.  I have a 6D Mark II and I have specialized in landscape/wildlife photography and I know I have a steep learning curve in front of me.  I will be in close quarters, low/difficult lighting and I definitely can't be right in everyones face. I also need something super reliable, as there will be no retakes.  If you have any lighting recommendations, I will take those as well. 🙂

Thank you in advance!

[jrhoffman75]

That's a wonderful thing you are doing.

Found this online:

Can the organization put you in touch with other photographer volunteers in your area?

[ebiggs1]

I have never done anything like that but I can almost guarantee you artificial additional lighting is off and a very bad idea to boot. You already have a fine camera that is capable.  Probably not much to be gained by switching. That only leave the lens.

The fastest and my recommendation would be one of the faster 50mm primes.  Canon's own ef 50mm f1.2L.  Sigma's 50mm f1.4 Art lens are two suggestions.  There are fast zooms but nine I know of that offer these f-ratios. 

If you can't get close to the subject, there are the 85mm primes.  Canon's 85mm f1.2L ans Sigma's 85mm f1.4 Art for instance.

Without seeing the exact conditions, it is impossible to make a definite solution or recommendation. Nobody can!

[Wonderwoman]

Thank you!  I have just begun doing research and will need to do a lot of work before I can submit a portfolio to be approved.  Talking to some of their current photographers is a great idea! 

[Wonderwoman]

Thank you!  I currently have a 50mm in my arsenal and I have been thinking about an 85mm.

[rs-eos]

I can also highly recommend the EF 50mm f/1.2 L.  I first used that with an EOS 6D and now a 5D IV.   When adding light isn't an option, and you can use f/1.2, it's awesome.

Having said that, I would also not shy away from adding in fill flash.  However, look at adding just a minimal amount (say 1/32 power or lower).  Since you have a 6D, you can increase ISO without too much noise at all.  Higher ISO is a great way to reduce overall flash power.   1/32 power is the same as any pre-flash in ETTL so it should not be much a distraction.  If using manual, you'd then be skipping the pre-flash for even less distraction.

In close quarters... the 50mm may still work.  Though that may not be wide enough.  Thus you could also look at Canon's 35mm f/1.4L or the 24mm f/1.4L.

[ebiggs1]

I did do a funeral actually two but any sort of flash is out of question. Very disrespectful to say the least. IMHO of course.

[jrhoffman75]

I looked on the organization website. 

Here is how they evaluate applications. 

[Wonderwoman]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:
I did do a funeral actually two but any sort of flash is out of question. Very disrespectful to say the least. IMHO of course.

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I thought the same thing, however, the organization is looking for proficiency in using lighting to get the perfect shot.

[Wonderwoman]

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@jrhoffman75 wrote:

I looked on the organization website. 

Here is how they evaluate applications. 

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Thanks!  I am familiar with what their requirements are.  I have been thinking about joining them for years.  I just need to get moving on it.  I'm tired of working on the medical side and am taking a break from that.