60mm macro or 50mm f/1.4 for portrait?

[kmiragaya]

Hi all

I currently own a Canon 60mm f/2.8 macro. I find it great for portraits but I very rarely use it for macro work so I was considering selling it to buy the 50mm f/1.4 primarily because I could use the extra speed.

But...am I gonna miss the 60mm for portrait use? The 50mm is a "more classical" portrait lens but I have never used it and the 60mm macro is really sharp.


Regards

[Anorakus]

Are you using a full-frame or crop sensor body?

A.

[kmiragaya]

500d (crop body)

[daugirdas]

Are you using a full-frame or crop sensor body?

A.

60mm is EF-S. Hence it must be a cropper.

To the OP: what kind of portraits do you do? Maybe you could post a couple typical examples.

50mm is rather good for full length shots; for anything tighter 85mm f/1.8, 135mm f/2 or 70-200mm will give better results. If you have the space always pick the longest you can do with.

[kmiragaya]

Mainly head and shoulder portraits (for stock) like this :

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-51019819/stock-photo-serious-girl-pointing-towards-the-viewer-on-a-white-background.html

I don't have the space to do full body portraits.

[daugirdas]

Mainly head and shoulder portraits (for stock) like this :

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-51019819/stock-photo-serious-girl-pointing-towards-the-viewer-on-a-white-background.html

I don't have the space to do full body portraits.

You should be OK with your 60 then. You should perhaps stop it down a little for shots like that as her hand is OOF.

[kmiragaya]

Yes, the 60mm is great.

But my original idea was that the 50mm f/1.4 could be more useful because it's faster and even if I'm not going to use it at 1.4 for this kind of work the extra speed is there if I need it.

[trencheel303]

The Canon 50mm 1.8 is still fast and cheap as well. I actually have not had a single situation yet where 1.8 has been inadequate in terms of low light shooting - and trust me, I do quite a lot of low light shooting. Also don't forget there are options from Sigma, although their 50mm 1.4 is a bit of a tank to be honest - 77mm filter thread!

[kmiragaya]

I had one 50mm 1.8 . Great lens but I was always afraid of breaking it. Never happened but I don't think those will last much.

So you think the 50mm 1.4 is not worth the investment? Would you prefer the 1.8 and save the money for something else?

[trencheel303]

I haven't heard any stories of 50mm 1.8s disintegrating, tbh, although I have heard several stories of the 1.4 USM focus motors blowing up. If I were to upgrade to a 1.4, I would seriously consider the Sigma.

I'm not afraid of breaking my 1.8. It's plastic fantastic, yes, but no more or less so than the 18-55 and 55-250 (nifty two fifty). I've read reviews on Amazon from folk who've had the 1.8 since the nineties. Just because it's plastic doesn't mean it will break, unless of course you use it as a tennis ball... lol

[daugirdas]

I haven't heard any stories of 50mm 1.8s disintegrating, tbh, although I have heard several stories of the 1.4 USM focus motors blowing up. If I were to upgrade to a 1.4, I would seriously consider the Sigma.

I'm not afraid of breaking my 1.8. It's plastic fantastic, yes, but no more or less so than the 18-55 and 55-250 (nifty two fifty). I've read reviews on Amazon from folk who've had the 1.8 since the nineties. Just because it's plastic doesn't mean it will break, unless of course you use it as a tennis ball... lol

I heard stories of bad 1.8s, seen a couple broken in a camera club and sold mine off due to soft f/1.8, poor focusing and horrible bokeh. As already mentioned 1.4 is very weak.

Now the sigma should be a good contender on paper. Except there are so many of them with focus errors. I tried to get one on ebay and all had bad focus based on sample photos. Even the one in Focus stand was off. 1.2L is not much better before you ask.

[kmiragaya]

I think I'll keep the 60mm (although I'd like something faster) or look for a second hand 85mm on ebay. Didn't know the 50mm's had such a bad reputation.

Thanks everyone. You've been really helpful

[daugirdas]

or look for a second hand 85mm on ebay.

That is a better plan. I love mine. Contact kerso for price new, as they command quite high prices 2nd hand.

[cowasaki]

I use a 50mm f1.4 on my full frame Nikon to great effect for portraits so reach wise it is a good choice.