Canon Portrait Lens?

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ginauk84

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Gina
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Hiya

I am looking to replace my kit lens on my canon 300D with something better and wondered what you would suggest.

I quite like the look of the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 EX DC Macro for Canon EF.

However I wanted it for France which is a week away and Jessops have said it will take 28 days to arrive! :thumbsdown:

Anyone got any suggestions?

Thanks.

Gina
 
too short for a portrait lens, you want something that goes to 100mm or better still 135mm

stew
 
Perhaps I have my terminology incorrect as am fairly new to this, my zoom lens goes from 70mm-200mm so I was looking at something to bridge the gap really.
 
ginauk84 said:
Perhaps I have my terminology incorrect as am fairly new to this, my zoom lens goes from 70mm-200mm so I was looking at something to bridge the gap really.
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But you would still be missing 50-70mm which I have been told is a very useful range for portraits.?
 
If your current kit lens(i assume is the 18-55 non IS) covers the focal range, then the sigma 17-50 or the tamron 17-50 would make some good options. i assume the canon version is a bit out of the price range. or if after some longer focal lengths, then perhaps a sigma or tamron 24-70. i think the 24-70 are a bit more expensive and quite a bit heavier.

for a smaller alternative, have you thought about the canon 17-85 IS. not much good if low light shooting of kids without flash, but as long as that doesnt affect you i was happy with the images from mine.

for availability have you tried www.camerapricebuster.co.uk ?
 
I'll probably get shot for this but what about investing in a nifty fifty? .. 85mm on a crop sensor.... used mine indoors on a 300D for a few portraits and so far love it... and it's nice and cheap.
 
I have a Sigma 70mm f2.8 macro prime lens which seems perfect for portraits on my 40D and you have the additional macro facility.
 
Creed said:
I'll probably get shot for this but what about investing in a nifty fifty? .. 85mm on a crop sensor.... used mine indoors on a 300D for a few portraits and so far love it... and it's nice and cheap.
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no reason to get shot. i love my fifty and use it for most of my portraits as well, the only problem when there isnt enough space to move backward. then you have to either use a shorter prime or a zoom lens.
 
Depends on where you're going to be taking the portraits! I'm a fast prime kinda guy so I can't help with zooms but if you're photographing indoors and you've not got a lot of room, then 50mm on a 1.6 crop body is probably too long. 35mm would probably be more suitable. The 35mm f/2 is lovely; I use it all the time for indoor candids.

If you've got plenty of room, then any of the fifties will be good. The f/1.8 II if you're on a budget, the f/1.4 USM if you're a bit more flush. Then there's the f/1.2 if you're minted!

The 85mm f/1.8 USM is outstanding and tack sharp even wide open but you'd really need to be outdoors to use it as it'd be pretty long on a 300D. That and the 100mm primes (the f/2.8 macro USM is incredible) are usually regarded as the best Canon portrait lenses on full frame bodies.

George.
 
BadgerLover said:
The 85mm f/1.8 USM is outstanding and tack sharp even wide open but you'd really need to be outdoors to use it as it'd be pretty long on a 300D. That and the 100mm primes (the f/2.8 macro USM is incredible) are usually regarded as the best Canon portrait lenses on full frame bodies.

George.
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Don't forget my 85L & 135Ls :lol:
 
Welcome to TP Gina :)

Generally speaking, a slightly longer lens is preferred for portraits. On a crop camera, which I'm guessing you have, that's usually between about 50mm and 100mm. This gives a little bit more distance between you and your subject, which is less intrusive and the perspective looks more natural.

Ideally, you would combine this with a low f/number, like f/1.8, which gives shallow depth of field, throwing the back ground out of focus. You have to be very careful with focus though.

Sigma does an 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 with OS (optical stabilization), or an 18-50mm f/2.8 which is rightly popular and is quite a good length for portraits and will at least give you a go at shallow depth of field at f/2.8. However, assuming you've got the kit lens, particularly the Canon IS version which is very good, I'm not sure that either of these lenses will take you a big jump forward. Most people I think would say use you longer zoom at 70mm, and the lowest f/number, for portraits, and see how you get on. Take it from there. Maybe a 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS would suit you; nice lens with very handy range, better made than the kit and has IS. There are a couple in the For Sale forum for about £220 I think.

Just throwing a few ideas out. TBH I think you might try to explore a bit more with the lenses your've got, find their limitations and see more clearly what it is you want to do. There is tons of choice out there, several different solutions for most things, and it's very easy to make a costly mistake.
 
Thanks I def need something less than my 75 as I tried to use my big lens for a portrait the other day and I just couldn't get far enough away.

If I compare photos taken with the kit lens to those taken with my Canon EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 USM III the quality just isn't a patch on the bigger lens. The kit lens seems really soft.

I have thought about the 50, I looked at the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II - but it's missing USM - do you think this makes a great difference? I do want something that performs well in low light so was looking at lenses under f3 really.

Thanks for your help so far :thumbs:
 
for speed and cheapness, the 50mm 1.8 will do a decent portrait job on a 300D surely?
better quality, 50mm 1.4

if you want zoomage, then 50-150 mm sigma f2.8
 
Yes I am just worried about a bit of zoom as I would want to use it not just for portraits but general every day shots as well. What do people use as their everyday general lens?
 
Don't let the lack of USM put you off for the price the 50mm f1.8 is a capable little lens.

I still use mine on a 1DsII to bridge between 25mm f2 and 85mm f1.8 (which is a stonking lens)

I use a 24-105mm f4 (but that is on a full frame camera so no crop factor to mulitiply by)
 
ginauk84 said:
Yes I am just worried about a bit of zoom as I would want to use it not just for portraits but general every day shots as well. What do people use as their everyday general lens?
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I use my 18-55 (non is) kit lens... have never had a problem with sharpness mind you...

the 50 1.8 is good but I would probably recommend the 1.4 version if you have the money.
 
depends on where i amand how far away the subject is, either the sigma 24-70 or the 50-150.
 
Gina, your camera came with the original Canon kit lens, which is not very good, and the 75-300 was also not designed in Canon's finest hour. Here is my suggestion, and depending on budget, you could take it in stages, but I think you could do everything you want with this outfit:

Canon 450D (three generations up from your 300D) plus 18-55 IS kit lens (sharper, and has IS) £435, 55-250 IS £200 (a modern gem, top value), 50 1.8 £83 (good for portraits). Every item here is a useful step up from your current kit, and the combined difference is very considerable. This outfit would improve your picture taking all round, and open the doors to new creative opportunities, especially with the 50 1.8. Also think about a good flash sometime, like the Canon 430EX £160.

You could sell your current outfit and go for it all; there are deals on the body and two lenses. Or pick and choose whichever new item you want. From what you've said, the 50 1.8 might be a good start, and you don't need USM at all. Check the For Sale forum here, where you could sell any or all of your current outfit, and also pick up some bargains. Also check prices on www.camerapricebuster.co.uk for the best deals.
 
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