Porttrait lens

jockwav

jockwav

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James (Retired)
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I am trying to talk the wife into studio lighting,need some recommendations for a good portrait lens.:):thumbs:
 
Can't go wrong with the 50mm. I got the Nikkor 85m and it is SOOOO sharp compared to these zooms there are nowadays.
 
The 50 is my choice of lens in the studio most of the time, but I sometimes use the 18-135mm just to get the range rather than changing lenses. Have just bought a Tamron 28-75 which will could well become my primary studio lens.
 
I have the Nikon 85mm f1.4 unbelivable quality and sharpness, but so is the "price"! Got mine 2nd hand, bargin:)
 
50 1.8 about £80
85 1.8 about £300/350
85 1.4 lots more and not as good/quick to focus

All Canon glass to go with your 50d, brilliant lenses, possibly the 100 macro to do both portrait and macro, depends on size of studio, plus you might want a zoom to enable 'perfect' framing but you'll be getting a 'slower' lens for more money.
50/85 are really sharp and excellent value for money, I have all 3 prime lenses.

Matt
 
Not sure why most people here are recommending nikon lenses to a canon user, but there you go. Try a 24-105L for plenty of opportunity :thumbs:
 
If its for studio stuff, may as well get a prime in my view since you don't need the flexibility of a zoom - no point in sacrificing any IQ :)

Depending on budget of cause, and space you have available, I would recommend:

Sigma 35mm 1.4 - I hear good thing and bad things, worth reading up on - equivalent a 50mm on a FF body, good for a cramped environment.

Canon or Sigma 50mm f/1.4 - Whichever you like the feel/look etc of the best, would make a very nice focal length on a crop body. £230/300

Canon 85mm f/1.8 - Cracking lens, possibly a little long on the focal length with a 1.6 sensor, but great for outdoor portraiture also. £250/300

Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 - also worth a look if you don't like the idea of a prime, I think its a cracking lens on a crop body - IQ is spot on, and its great value for money. £240/300

Unless your seriously thinking of going into portrait/studio/lowlight stuff big time - dont bother looking at the 50mm f/1.2 or 85mm f/1.2, its simply not worth the extra £1000 for the odd picture here and there :)

My personal recommendation... get a good copy of a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 and you will not regret it.
 
I just use my 24-70 and 70-200, more than good enough, and cheaper than buying 7 primes.

I don't entirely get the whole use a prime if you're in a studio thing. The studio is where you're most limited for space (unless you've got a very nice studio) so if you stick an 85mm prime on, your stuck with headshots and maybe half body.

Each to their own though. Primes are very pretty as well.
 
I've currently got a Sigma 30mm f1.4, a Nikon 50mm f1.4, Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 and a Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 all of which I use for portrait work.

I agree with what's been said above though, get a prime lens that you think will be the most suitable focal length for you. Primes are a lot sharper than zoom lenses and in a studio environment you shouldn't need to be changing focal lengths a lot so feeling the need to change lenses shouldn't be a problem.
 
Thank you all guys,i dont really intend to get into it in a big way,but love good results.
The lenses i have at the moment:
canon 300mm F4 L IS
canon 50mm 1.8 mk11
canon 17-85mm IS
I dont really have all that much room to play with,so i think i will have a read at some of the reviews on the lenses mentioned,thanks guys.:):thumbs:
 
Used my nifty fifty here which i always forget i have & never use it,good IQ?
 
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