Best Portrait focal length

whitey

whitey

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Steven
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Hi everyone

When taking portraits what do you find you best lens? is is 17-70 ish range or 70-200 range?

Just curious really to see which gets more use
 
I tend to use my 24-70 at the long end, and Ive just bought a 85mm f/1.8. I also use my 105mm macro a fair bit too for portraits.
I think longer lengths at max aperture look nicer as the background is a bit more OOF.

I wouldnt use anything wider that 50mm on my D700, as it just distorts the face and looks weird.
 
Depends on the space available. I sometimes need 30-40mm, other times 180mm. I try to use my 50mm where possible.
 
Depends entirely on the field of view, telephoto compression, depth of field, type of portrait and look and feel that you want really :/

I've shot portraits of one sort or another at everything from 10mm to 350mm, and everything in between...

Generally though, for simple portraits, a longer lens, slight telephoto, is a good plan :)
 
50mm or 50mm for me, mainly as I use my 50mm 1.8 for most portrait work as its fast and sharp. I really think everyone should own a 50mm prime, maybe an 85 if you have cash.
The nifty fifty is just silly-good value.

My hands are shakey so I prefer not to be on too much of a zoom. :)
 
If the subject is sexy, 12mm. If the subject is a bit rough and smells, 300mm.
 
For portraiture work I currently just use a 35mm 1.8 (full body & 3/4 length) and 85mm 1.8 (torso up to headshots) on a cropped sensor Nikon. Works just fine with me.

I'm now looking at pro zooms as I hope to enter the wedding market soon. I feel I will get more use from the 70/80-200 so that'll be my first purchase.
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
For portraiture work I currently just use a 35mm 1.8 (full body & 3/4 length) and 85mm 1.8 (torso up to headshots) on a cropped sensor Nikon. Works just fine with me.

I'm now looking at pro zooms as I hope to enter the wedding market soon. I feel I will get more use from the 70/80-200 so that'll be my first purchase.
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Awesome work on your flickr :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:
 
I find my Sigma 70mm f2.8 is ideal on a cropped sensor, unless I am cramped for space and then the nifty fifty gets used.
 
daugirdas said:
It depends on the type of portrait, many lenses can be useful, from wide to 50mm to 300mm. Where possible I try to use 85mm ++ (prefer primes, but 70-200mm is very very good).
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50mm 85mm or best 70 200mm

in-fact i believe the canon 100mm 2.8 IS macro is a unbelievable portrate Lens

Merc
 
50mm 135mm, Love using primes for portrait work the shallow DOF can really add something!
 
Some interesting replies in here, thanks for taking the time to reply

I have some of the lenses that have been mentioned and getting an 85 prime and possibly a 50 when i find one that should set me on my way nicely
 
Under studio conditions I use the 24-70, outdoors I absolutely love my 80-200, Now I have the 85 1.4 I have a feeling this will blow everything else out of the water.
 
In the old film only days, 135mm was said to be the ultimate portrait lens, but with a crop sensor anything from 50 - 85mm should do the job nicely. I often use my 70-200 f2.8 when I have the room.

Steve

Sent from my iPad using TP Forums
 
whitey said:
Hi everyone

When taking portraits what do you find you best lens? is is 17-70 ish range or 70-200 range?

Just curious really to see which gets more use
Click to expand...

what ever focal length you need fir the perspective and DoF you require. there is no one perfect lens. I've used FL from 17mm to 400mm for portraits.
 
Yeah I'd love a decent 400mm for portraits.

Plus, you know, somebody to carry it. And a radio to contact the subject :)

One day I'll give in and buy a 200/2
 
shots of my son playing in the garden - 400mm means he acts naturally.

or pics of scantily clad ladies at motorsport events :lol:


JonathanRyan said:
Yeah I'd love a decent 400mm for portraits.

Plus, you know, somebody to carry it. And a radio to contact the subject :)

One day I'll give in and buy a 200/2
Click to expand...
 
I always found a simple rule of thumb was to look at the persons face through the viewfinder and then without the camera at all. Our brains do compare images (subconsciously) to what we see with our eyes after all.
 
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