Portrait Lens Help

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NMWolverson

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Natalie
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Ok, I am looking to do some portrait work and have been asked to photograph members of a society at my university in two weeks time. I currently own a Canon 500D with the 18-55 kit lens and a 55-250mm, however I have been told that telephoto lenses such as the 55-250mm will flatten out a subject if used for portrait work. With this in mind I am currently looking for a portrait lens.

At the minute my options include the Canon 50mm f1.8, which I can either get new for £78, or used for £63. I was also looking at the Tamron 90mm f2.8, which I can get used for £200, or the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 which I can get used for £187. I was also interested in the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8.
 
Are you talking head & shoulder shots only or are you shooting an actual event ?

Night or day ?
 
Mainly head and shoulders. Majority will be during the day, not sure on lighting conditions though.
 
You'll be fine with the 50mm or either of the Tamron zooms. The Tammy 90mm might be a bit restrictive if room is tight.

All of them are more than up to the job though.

Hope it goes well.
 
Use your 55-200 and keep it around the 75-90 mark. Shoot around f5.6 too, that will soften out any background, focus on the eys, or nearest eye if at an angle.

You don't need a special lens to do portraits unless you are setting yourself up and you know how best to use whatever you get. many specialist portrait shooters go foran 85 f1.4. You are not a specialist portrait shooter, so use what you have at the same focal length as the specialist lens.

Instead of worrying about thelens, which you already have, you would do better to put your head to work thinking about the lighting you are going to utilise.

Natural light? WHERE then to get the best. A north facing room will have diffuse light at the window with no harsh shadows.

Flash? How many, can you soften it are you lighting the background? These are far more important considerations.
 
I regularly use the 50mm great lens :) but I would recommend getting a good s/h copy of the 70/200 f4L for under £400 it is an awesome lens!
 
The 50mm should be fine, but I would look at the canon 85mm F1.8 if you want something longer as well as its a cracking portrait lens especially for head and shoulders shots.
 
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