100mm prime too long for portraits?

[strumstrum]

hi, I have been looking at an old 50mm MF prime for my Oly which will give me 100mm, is this too long for portrait work as in will I be too far away from the subject? what situation would a 100mm prime f/2 MF lens be good for?

Ta

 

[User Name]

85-120 is a suitable range for portraits, so 100 is just fine. Some people even use a 70-200 zoom.

 

[Rovers_Andy]

Nah its fine, ive seen shots take with a 200mm prime on a 1.3 crop body. All depends how much space you have

 

[david1701]

I saw a thread from a guy using a 100-400 so it's all good

 

[-Rob-]

If you are using a 100mm lens for portraits then as long as you have the space to move back a little then it forces you further from the subject which will reduce the amount of distortion you get in the image. If you are in a confined space using a 30mm lens then you can get distorted features which aren't flattering.

 

[strumstrum]

all good news Thanks...

anyone have any experience with Helios lens?

Thanks again peeps..

 

[micloi]

I have the 50mm M42 Helios. Not a bad lens, especially stopped down a bit.
If you can afford it go for a Super Takumar instead, they tend to be sharper (albeit more expensive)

 

[EdMoss]

All depends on what style of portraits you want to take. I use anything from 16-300mm but mostly my 70-200 or the fantastic Canon 90mm TSE

 

[ryanyboy]

Some of my favourite portraits have been taken at 200mm. So 100mm is certainly ok

 

[AliB]

I use my 100mm macro if I have room so yep go for it

 

[Flash In The Pan]

All depends on what style of portraits you want to take. I use anything from 16-300mm but mostly my 70-200 or the fantastic Canon 90mm TSE

A portrait shot at 16mm must be "interesting"