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EMA747
16-04-2010, 15:21
Is the Canon 17-40 L on a 7D any good for portrait work?

I've never done portrait photography but would like to give it a try and a local flickr ground is having a meet up near me and some informal beginner portrait/strobe course. I would like to go but being mainly a sports and aviation photographer I only have a 17-40 and 100-400 at the moment (my gear lust is still high). Would the 17-40 hold me back considering I expect the others there will have proper portrait lenses?

Andy S
J4MIE_P
16-04-2010, 15:25
For portraits it's little wide really, but seeing as it's on a 7D (crop sensor) then you will end up with the equivelant of 27-64mm, so it's useable on the long end sort of.

For portraits I'd much prefer to have 85m-200mm really, but it's useable still :)
a1ex2001
16-04-2010, 15:26
Get yourself a nifty fifty, on a crop body it's about spot on as a portrait lens and cheap as chips.

The 17-40 will get you perfectly good results but for me it's not quite long enough or fast enough for traditional portrait work.
J4MIE_P
16-04-2010, 15:28
Get yourself a nifty fifty, on a crop body it's about spot on as a portrait lens and cheap as chips.

The 17-40 will get you perfectly good results but for me it's not quite long enough or fast enough for traditional portrait work.

I agree, 50mm on 7D will be 80mm which is about perfect for portraits, so definately crab a nifty fifty as your next purchase, you can get them new on here at £75, or used at around £50-60
leftcurl
16-04-2010, 15:29
:plusone:
nifty fifty is the way forward without busting the bank. absolutely cracker of a lens.
leftcurl
16-04-2010, 15:30
did we mention the nifty fifty? :D
EMA747
16-04-2010, 15:40
I've had my eye on a nifty nifty for a while but now I actually have an excuse to get one I don't think I can get it delivered in time for the class on Tuesday evening next week. :'(
redmonkee
16-04-2010, 15:59
Warehouse Express do next day delivery. Order it now and you will get it on Monday.

They may not always be the cheapest but their delivery service is spot on:thumbs:
trencheel303
16-04-2010, 16:35
A 17-40 for portraits is fine so long as you and your subject don't mind the lens being halfway up their nose... :gag:

On a crop body I'd be looking at 50-85mm for portraits and maybe longer still.