Fast Lens For 3/4 full length portraits

BigJohn

BigJohn

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John
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I've been looking at a Canon 17-55mm f2.8 EF-S IS USM for using as a full length 3/4 length portrait lens / Everyday walk around .T his would give me a focal lenght of approximately 27-88mm on my 40D . Has anyone had any experiance with this lens or recomend another ?
 
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i have the 24-70 (which is pretty much equivalent to the 17-55 on a crop) and it's a great lens for the purpose you describe, especially if you don't have much working space -you can fit a whole body in the frame being just a few feet from the subject.

background blur is good at this focal length and aperture. if you want more blurry backgrounds and narrower dof, maybe think about a 50 1.4/8 or 85mm 1.8 prime.

personally though, the 24-70 lens is probably about the most versatile lens i have. on a crop body the 17-55 is bound to be the same. if i had to make do with just one lens, this focal length range would be the one i'd want covered. it's a great length for portraiture.

i think it will do everything you need. if you need ultra narrow dof, then perhaps compliment it with a fast prime down the road.
 
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Thanks for that I've read a few reviews of the lens and think that it be ideal . I just wanted some reasurance from people more experianced than myself .
 
I have the sigma 18-50mm F2.8 on a 40D which is as mention a good length lens, however as also mentioned above last year I bought a Canon 50mm F1.4 and the bokeh is beautiful and amazingly sharp:thumbs: I think it depends how close you want to get to the subject and in what situations. You may want to look at 85mm or 135mm if you dont want to be right on top of them (casual pics at a wedding for instance).

Not sure this helps, but worth considering.
 
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I used a 17-55 on a 40D for everything from head shots to groups. It's as close to perfect in one lens as you can get for that. Great lens :thumbs:
 
mastertrinity said:
What about the cheaper Tamron 17-50mm f2.8?
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Whats the IQ like on it ? Are you reconmending from experiance ?

I think that it's going to be the canon in the end as it has had lots of good reviews . I just wanted peoples views and experiances .
 
BigJohn said:
Whats the IQ like on it ? Are you reconmending from experiance ?

I think that it's going to be the canon in the end as it has had lots of good reviews . I just wanted peoples views and experiances .
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I have the Nikon non VC version and the image quality is excellent. Cant recommend it enough.
 
Does the front element turn when focusing on the Tamron ? Also i've read that the AF is quite loud , how loud would you say it is ?
 
BigJohn said:
Does the front element turn when focusing on the Tamron ? Also i've read that the AF is quite loud , how loud would you say it is ?
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The front element doesn't turn, but the focus ring on the outside of the lens does.
 
If you can afford the canon 17-55, then there's no need to look at the tamron, dont get me wrong, the tamron is a really good lens,very sharp,I use one myself, but the canon is a bit better.

Noise wise, the canon is damn near silent, the tamron has a little whine, thats about it.
 
Well I took the plunge today and bought the Tamron I tried it out in the shop on a 60D wide open and stopped down to check sharpness and it looked spot on . Also been half the price of the Canon was very appealing . For the little extra qaulity I couldn't really justify spending that much on a lens . This photography lark is becoming an expensive hobby lol
 
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