Portrait lens advice

Crazyhorse

Crazyhorse

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Hi

I love my 70-200 2.8L and use it all the time. However, if I'm in a small area indoors, it's not always possible to use it due to space.:)

The only other lenses I have (apart fromt the two wide angles) are kit 18-55 and Sigma 105 Macro.

Any recommendations? :thumbs: Is the sigma 17-70 macro any good for portraits?

Many thanks.

Lisa
 
Try a 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 if you can stretch to it. It will give you a nice 80mm focal length on your 40D
 
I love using my Tamron 90mm for portraits. Its a wonderful lens.
 
Organic said:
Try a 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 if you can stretch to it. It will give you a nice 80mm focal length on your 40D
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Thank you. I've been toying with the idea of buying a 50mm 1.4 and the more I think about it, the more it appeals. However, a zoom might be useful too, that's why I asked about the sigma 70-70.

It's getting increasingly harder though to keep smuggling camera gear etc into the house if you get my drift. LOL! :)

Lisa
 
Even the 50mm f1.8 would be better, its small, compact, light and cheap!
If you wanted a zoom, the best i can suggest would be using Canon's 24-70 f2.8
 
Crazyhorse said:
Thank you. I've been toying with the idea of buying a 50mm 1.4 and the more I think about it, the more it appeals. However, a zoom might be useful too, that's why I asked about the sigma 70-70.

It's getting increasingly harder though to keep smuggling camera gear etc into the house if you get my drift. LOL! :)

Lisa
Click to expand...

I had the 50mm 1.8 and it was fine for the money, but the Sigma 50mm 1.4 is SO MUCH nicer, and so it should be considering it costs 4 times as much!!

And I know EXACTLY what you mean about smuggling more gear into the house. :bang:
 
MJ Stebbings said:
Even the 50mm f1.8 would be better, its small, compact, light and cheap!
If you wanted a zoom, the best i can suggest would be using Canon's 24-70 f2.8
Click to expand...

Thanks I had the 50mm 1.8 but didnt like it. I'm afraid the Canon 24-70 2.8 is out of my price bracket as it would probably cause a divorce, oh, maybe it's worth thinking about. :)

Lisa
 
Crazyhorse said:
Thanks I had the 50mm 1.8 but didnt like it. I'm afraid the Canon 24-70 2.8 is out of my price bracket as it would probably cause a divorce, oh, maybe it's worth thinking about. :)

Lisa
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What didnt you like about it?
 
MJ Stebbings said:
What didnt you like about it?
Click to expand...

To be honest, I didn't use it much but it didn't appear to be very sharp (I know most photos need sharpening), there seemed to be like a sort of halo to one side of hands or arms on some occasions. It might be operator error but I don't recall getting this with my other lenses.

My biggest problem is exposure, I'm ok outdoors but inside I'm crap to be honest.:(

Lisa
 
Hmmm, well, if you werent happy with it, then maybe splash on the 1.4 version.
That or look at off brand stuff like the Sigma 24-70 f2.8
 
Thanks. The 1.4 is a contender.

Re the Sigma, do you mean:

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG MACRO or Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM ?

I can't spend too much because I'm also hoping to get a 100-400.

Lisa :)
 
I'd say the non HSM version. Thats the one i use, and after reading a thread on here about the HSM version, i wouldnt touch it
 
When shooting portraits indoors I always light the subject. I find the 24-105 useful. Previously I used the Sigma 17-70. Great value lens. If you want to shoot with available light the 50mm 1.4 is a brilliant bit of glass
 
I'm currently saving towards getting the Canon 85mm f1.8 for portraits, although I do like a closer crop than most. Surprised noone has mentioned it so far. I have a beautiful picture of my daughter hanging on my wall taken when I borrowed Kennysarmy's lens - although this was taken in my back garden, and has now been cropped more evenly.

[PROUDFATHERALERT]
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[/PROUDFATHERALERT]
 
Hi


I'm now in the position to buy a lens.:)

Please sell the Canon f/1.4 50mm to me. I was in a situation last night and my trusty 105 couldn't be used due to lack of space, neither could the 70-200.

So what's the benefits of the f/1.4 50mm?

Thanks

Lisa
 
Anyone? :)
 
Hi Lisa,

Another two options for you depending on your tastes... Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 or the Sigma 30mm f1.4. Both lenses are bitingly sharp with good contrast. They're two lenses I seriously doubt I'll ever part with!

Sorry if I'm adding a bit of confusion.
Regards,
Si
 
Thanks, not sure about a 30mm to be honest.

When the reviews on the Canon 1.4 say 'its soft wide open' - can the softness be corrected in pp?

Lisa
 
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