Best Lens for Portraits

[Ladybug09]

Hi Everyone

I'm starting to do portraits (pregnancy, kids, families etc) mainly outside, but some in home studio...

Just wondering what the best lens to use is?

I currently have a Canon 450D with 2 lenses - 18-55mm IS & 55-250mm IS.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Melissa

[Allann]

70-200 2.8, 50 1.4, 85 1.4, 100 macro, there are many lenses but really depends on how much you want to spend. Post some pics for CC, both lenses though not the best should still give you good results. Your best results are achieved via experience, and you can get a lot from your current kit.

[MarkChap]

Allan I see you haven't recommended the 600 f4 L

[ving]

whats the best kind of cake to eat...


...the answer is there are alot andit all depends on taste and what you want it to do. 85/1.4 would be nice. 70-200/2.8 seems to be pretty much standard tho so that would be my suggestion.

[Wayne]

what ^^ said. 70-200/2.8

[kwokask]

On a Canon crop camera, you would be looking at something in the 50-85mm range (~85-135mm FF equivalent). If money is no issue, you should look for the undisputed king of portrait lenses - 85mm f/1.2L.

[Allann]

On a Canon crop camera, you would be looking at something in the 50-85mm range (~85-135mm FF equivalent). If money is no issue, you should look for the undisputed king of portrait lenses - 85mm f/1.2L.

I tend to disagree with the 85 1.2 on a 450D in fact any crop camera. It excels on full frame which can really get the best out of the lens. Might as well save thousands and go the 1.4 version with the camera body being used.

[JM Tran]

Canon do not have an 85mm f1.4 as some of u have mentioned, comes in f1.2 and 1.8 respectively.

as a full time photographer, shooting a lot of portraits and weddings etc, heres my low down on some of the lenses for portraiture mentioned above

70-200 series - simply way too long on cropped sensors, might be alright outdoors, but indoors, good luck

135 L - as above, damn razor sharp and nice bokeh wide open

100 F2 - I have one, will be 166mm on your cropped sensor camera, but its 1/3 the price of the 135 L and performs slightly better than the 85 f1.8, same performance as 135 L, I couldnt tell a difference

85 f1.8 - good lens, but may be a bit long indoors

85 f1.2 L - waste of money, unless you have money to burn then it is stunning, but slow to focus as a semi trailer doing a 3 point turn, will not function as a general purpose lens if u decide to shoot sports or something on a whim

50 f1.4 - good focal length on cropped sensor for portraiture, gives u a bit of room to play with while maintaining a decent bokeh

50 f1.8 - bargain lens of the century, good performance for its price


I would just get the 50mm f1.4 and a flash or 2 with wireless triggers for outdoor and indoor shoots

[pod3009]

Hi!

Thought I'd put in my view. Any photographer involved in photographing people tends to see two zoom ranges as being very important - 24-70 and 70-200 (in full frame terms). Ability to have a narrow depth of field is also significant, so f2.8 is often where people aim for. (I am trying to steer away from discussion on primes, as there is a wider range based on personal preference, and so zooms seem to cover all these options).

If money is no option then Canon has two beauties in their "L" series range, and many lust after these. However in the "real" world when reality bites the Sigma lenses that cover the same ranges and f stops are also good. How long do you want to save? The other option is to go for the Sigma initially and then save and re-sell the Sigmas if you ultimately want to move to the Canons.

As you have an 1.6x crop factor camera you could also consider the EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 Canon lens. It gets rave reviews and is less than the Canon "L" series 24-70 to buy and covers the same sort of range on a crop factor camera and the 24-70 on a full framer! Also the EF-S 15-85 is supposed to be an excellent lens, but doesn't go as wide a f2.8.

I find my budget is often the big determining factor in my purchases. All the best!

[Ladybug09]

Thank you everyone - obviously there is way more to know than I thought.... feeling a little out of my depth now :(
Will get studying...

Thanks!

Mel
xx

[Keith]

Thank you everyone - obviously there is way more to know than I thought.... feeling a little out of my depth now :(
Will get studying...

Thanks!

Mel
xx

I know the feeling Melissa, so many choices!

A question in regards to doing indoor portraits and choosing a lens - how to people manage to shoot in a indoor shoot (like with families or even single person) with a 50mm lens without having to be in a really huge room? Or do they just use a wider one for this type of work? I know you are doing mostly outdoor work, but it may be helpful too.

[Pine]

Although I have the 24-70 which I love and the 15-85. The 15-85 has IS, cost much less, is very sharp and is a relatively light lens. If I had to choose between the two I would buy the Canon 15-85 mm lens :D

[Dizzy Photographics]

I had a 50mm 1.8...cheap cost me about $120 i think and i LOVED it. Indoors it works reasonably well provided you still have room around you, down side to a prime lens i guess. I have used 70-300 lens and as long as you have a tripod it'll work too but without....too damn hard lol Not much more to offer you than that sorry :)

[seandudding]

The 50mm F1.8 is great on a crop camera, if you have a little extra $$$ buy the f1.4 version, as it has USM, also look at the Sigma F1.4.

[SRR33]

50 f1.4,
85 f1.8
100mm macro lens

[fairy bombs]

pod3009 mentions the 17-55 F 2.8,and the 24-70,unfortunatly there is little price difference in these two,I am about to buy 17-55 F 2,8 and by the time you buy the hood its about the same price.it does have IS.

I am using the 450D like the OP.I think this will be a good lens for this type of photography(without getting into primes),The OP seems a a bit over wellemed with info.

I hope this has'nt been to confussing for her,Given what gear she mentions she owns I feel a 17-55 F 2.8 would be ideal,(but prepare yourself for a shock when you check the price!)

FB

[kiwi]

well, lets go back to basics

What's the issue with the lenses you have now ?

you have a focal range already of 18-250mm

[FeedMeTrance]

a nifty fifty is your best bet - good for the price and good optics

[Nige]

What I suggest you do is take a bunch of portrait pictures, then use a program (Exposure plot (http://www.cpr.demon.nl/prog_plotf.html)) to work out the focal length you use the most. I think that way you choose a lens that you feel more comfortable to work with.


With the lenses you have you should be able to cover the distance from 24 - 200mm to decide. I have the 70-200mm f2.8 it is heavy but its sharp. I also recommend getting the 50mm 1.8, its cheap and not an issue if you don't like its not a big loss.

[Ladybug09]

Thanks Everyone! Overcome by all the choices.
I have picked up the Canon 50mm f/1.8.

:)

[JM Tran]

Thanks Everyone! Overcome by all the choices.
I have picked up the Canon 50mm f/1.8.

:)

good choice, you cant go wrong with it:)

[exmrblonde]

Fantastic choice - I love my nifty fifty...

[yummymummy]

you'll love your nifty fifty, I have one and it's hardly ever off my camera :th3:

[Ladybug09]

Thanks! I can't wait to use it on the weekend and post some new pics for C&C :)

[Xenedis]

Hi Everyone

I'm starting to do portraits (pregnancy, kids, families etc) mainly outside, but some in home studio...

Just wondering what the best lens to use is?

Personally, my Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM is my portrait lens of choice.

I also use my 35/1.4L and 135/2L.

85mm is classic portrait length, and is flattering on human subjects.

The bokeh this lens delivers has a unique look, and I've found myself able to tell that an 85L was used before even seeing the EXIF data.

However, it comes at a significant price; it's not a cheap lens at all, but if you have the budget, I'd recommend it. It delivers awesome results.

[bigdazzler]

Thanks Everyone! Overcome by all the choices.
I have picked up the Canon 50mm f/1.8.

:)


good choice, you cant go wrong with it:)


Told ya Mel ... ;)

And I dont even use Canon ... :p

[Ladybug09]

I know... :p lol

Now I just need to get ready for tomorrow.... I got the Tamaron today :)

[bigdazzler]

Sweet ... you all set then ?? Dont forget to charge your batteries ;)

[Ladybug09]

All set - the batteries are on charge now!!!
Now I just need to get rid of the nerves! :(

[bigdazzler]

Youll be right ... If people are relying on you to supply images, I highly recommend putting it in AUTO and let the camera take care of things this time.

Take your time, and think about compositions, angles, and perspectives. Choose your lenses appropriately, take your kit telephoto and use it outside when the kids are playing. Use it at 200mm to grab great candids of the kids. Its sometimes fruitless to try and get kids to pose so just capture them in their own world, makes for some very memorable images.

Use the Tamron inside for the key moments like the ceremony and cake etc ... the IQ will be better than your kit gear.

Most of all, stay cool ... After the first half hour you should be a lot calmer and the nerves will disappear.

Good luck. Look forward to seeing the results !! :)

[rwg717]

Allan I see you haven't recommended the 600 f4 L

:eek:Struth!!!!!!!!!:eek:
Richard

[Xenedis]

Allan I see you haven't recommended the 600 f4 L

I have used my 300/2.8L IS for a few portraits. Here's one:

http://www.xenedis.net/viewimage.php?i=3991564077

Naturally, I didn't need as much distance. :-)

[0Z320]

I would have to agree and say the Nifty Fifty.

This should be the first lens everyone should buy!

[Xenedis]

I would have to agree and say the Nifty Fifty.

This should be the first lens everyone should buy!

On an APS-C DSLR, a 50mm lens offers a field of view equivalent to an 80mm, which is the right type of focal length for portraits.

However, it should be noted that a 50mm lens is not a telephoto lens when used on an APS-C camera; the only thing telephoto is the framing; it won't offer the compression of a true 80mm lens.