NikoDoby said:
Fisheye lens for a car show? A fisheye is going to give you too much distortion. The vehicles will be disproportionate. You want the focus on the car not the people or things standing around them so why use a fisheye? That distortion can be creative for a few shots but do you really want that effect for every single shot?

Isn't that what photoshop was made for? :P

The reason I got a 10.5mm is because at some the shows I went to, I wasnt able to get a complete car in a shot due to the fact that I had to be so close to it and 18mm just wasn't wide enough. I am very happy with the stuff it dishes out and am glad I got it as opposed to the 12-24mm With that said, it still isn't practical for everything but I still use it very frequently.

As stated above the perfect combo for me is the 17-35mm 2.8, 10.5mm 2.8, and 24-70mm 2.8 which I use although I actually use a 28-70mm instead of the 24-70mm. The 17-35mm is my prime shooter...

Yes agreed^^

kanuck said:
NSXType-R how about the people who touch and grope the models? :)

Haha, Kanuck, that's awesome.

At the NY Auto Show, Fiat had some cute girls there too.

But we're getting far too off topic now. :D

Fisheye lens for a car show? A fisheye is going to give you too much distortion. The vehicles will be disproportionate. You want the focus on the car not the people or things standing around them so why use a fisheye? That distortion can be creative for a few shots but do you really want that effect for every single shot?

Like I said before if you don't have fast glass then use a monopod with the lenses you do have and get a circular polarizer to get rid of the reflections on the cars. You don't need to buy "fancy and fast" lens just to shoot a car show. I see people "covering" auto shows with nothing but a mobile phone and they're happy with the pictures they get.

You can hand hold 16-85mm in door but not @ iso 200

I would also get a Fisheye lens.

NSXType-R how about the people who touch and grope the models? :)

I would recommend the 35mm 1.8 if that wasn't your main lens. I would really recommend the 17-55 2.8 just because I know that I want wide, full car shots as well as slightly tighter. If that's a bit too expensive, just take the 18-55 then.

With the 35mm you'd need to stay a good ways back, and then you run the risk of people walking into your shot. Way too annoying for me.

I especially hate the people who touch and grope the cars.

Nobby66 said:
Is the 50mm to long ( on a D300s ) for those birthday or family photos inside where your trying to fit everyone in… ??

Oh, yes, I think it's too long for that. The 35 might be too long for that, as well. The 16-85 you mentioned would be good for that, though. You're probably looking for the 24mm range on DX.

Nobby66 said:
Is there much difference between the 1.4 & 1.8 Apertures. ??

It's about a third of a stop difference. So, the difference between using ISO 400 and ISO 500, for example, or a shutter speed of 1/100 compared with 1/80.
edit: It's closer to 2/3 of a stop. Sorry about that. Corrected: ISO 400 vs ISO 640 and 1/125 vs 1/80.

I can appreciate the creative shots with the fish eye.. some look good & I might try that type of lens down the track.. For now there’s a few other lenses on my to get list first.
…Now the 35mm 1.8 was one on my list anyway… But let assume both lenses ( the 35 & the 50 ) would be fine for the indoor car shows… which lens would I get the more use out of.. ? Is the 50mm to long ( on a D300s ) for those birthday or family photos inside where your trying to fit everyone in… ?? Is there much difference between the 1.4 & 1.8 Apertures. ?? ( sorry.. I’m new to photography, I’ve read heaps on lenses, so I know what they should do.. but haven’t had too much experience using them as yet )
Thanks for all comments..

I bought my fisheye specifically for car shows...

I would actually recommend 2 different lenses:

A fisheye, which would make some of the more bland shots at a car show more enticing

A 50mm 1.4. . .for some interesting close up, bokeh-ed up shots. . .

I'd skip the 35 1.8 this time (haha Niko!)

I've used the 18-70mm and 50mm combo many times and it works great. Still I'm sure the 35mm n better as the 50mm shot like an 85mm... or rent a lens like Adam said. If you want the perfect combo 17-35mm 2.8, 10.5mm 2.8, and 24-70mm 2.8... never let me down ;]

For the Chicago Auto Show I rented the 70-200 VR F2.8 on a D80, it was good for close ups, but too close to capture the whole car unless standing far away. I also have a 24mm F2.8 and 50mm F1.8 both inexpensive lenses, I think Primes would work fine since you will have room to move.

Or just rent a lens from Calumet Photographic $37 (if you can) 17-55 F2.8 would be great for an auto show.

For DX I'd recommend any well rated zoom lens. You have to battle other photographers so you move around making primes not useful enough to get consistantly good shots. The 80-130mm range is what you are after, so keep that in mind with the crop factor. Have fun!

First thing that came to my mind was also the 35 f1.8.

NikoDoby said:
Use the 35mm f1.8.

Oh, the delicious irony. Now who's making fun of whom? Just kidding, Niko.

Use the 35mm f1.8. I'm being serious this time! Your description sounds like you want the 35mm f1.8. Although I've shot car shows with the 18-70mm f3.5-4 with no problems. What's more important besides the lighting is that you also use a circular polarizer to minimize reflections. That's more important.

Most car shows have pretty good lighting because they want to show off the car's brilliant shine so you should be fine with whatever lenses you already have. Just bump up the ISO a bit if your shutter speed starts getting too low. Something else I sometimes use if it's too dim is a monopod. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars for new lenses just to shoot an autoshow.

Hi.. without spending mega dollars, what’s a good indoor car show lens for a Nikon D300s ??
I don’t want it too wide that it distorts the shape of the car.. & not too long that you can’t get a shot with people in your way. Is there a perfect mm range for this. ?
( I’m also getting a 16-85mm just for general shots anywhere.. Could I use this lens hand held with no flash for the indoor car shows ? I’m guessing not, that I would be better off to use a prime or a f2.8 or better lens.. ?? )