Recommend me a nice portrait lens please :)

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Tori

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Tori
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I am after a good portrait lens. I'm not too worried about shooting in low light, so an f4 would be ok. I quite fancied a 24-105, but on a crop body (my 500d, which will magically turn into a 7d at some point) is that wise?

I'd prefer to stick to canon if possible, but if there's something brilliant by say...Sigma..I'd consider it.

Thanks :)
 
Have you thought about some decent primes instead of zooms. Makes you think a bit more about the shot (which is no bad thing for me) but the IQ is stunning :shrug:

Nick
 
85mm (Sigma f/1.4 or Canon f/1.8) or 135mm prime, or a 70-200mm zoom. The slightly longer focal lengths produce the more flattering portraits. But it depends on your style of portrait.
 
On a crop I like 50mm as a portrait lens - I'd consider the Sigma 50mm 1.4

Phil
 
Thanks everyone. I have a 50mm 1.8. I'd like to do some full length shots too, so maybe something that would do both, which kind of counts out the primes...

What advantage would the 85mm be over a 50mm?
 
The difference on your camera would be that you'd have to catch a bus to get your framing if using the 85mm. 85mm might be a bit long on an APS-C.
 
Hmm, ok thanks. More help needed then probably!!
 
Tori said:
Thanks everyone. I have a 50mm 1.8. I'd like to do some full length shots too, so maybe something that would do both, which kind of counts out the primes...

What advantage would the 85mm be over a 50mm?
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I'd definitely consider upgrading to the Sigma. A portrait shot is greatly enhanced by soft bokeh - the Canon 1.8 isn't great in this regard.

Phil
 
If you do decide to go with a prime on your body or a 7D I would suggest a Canon 60mm Macro at f2.8 (it will give you the AOV equiv of 96mm FF) and at head and shoulders distance will give you a shallow depth of field. Of course it also is a great Macro lens too.
 
What about a 24-70 or 28-70L? I'd quite like a flexible zoom?
 
woof woof said:
The difference on your camera would be that you'd have to catch a bus to get your framing if using the 85mm. 85mm might be a bit long on an APS-C.
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85mm is my most frequently used focal length for portraits with APS-C (head and shoulders) and I've never required a bus to get the framing.. I might use a 50mm for 3/4-length, but going longer gives better depth of field control and becomes more flattering.

It's all down to what style of portrait you're shooting (head and shoulders, full length, group, etc) and where you're doing it (studio, etc). All "portrait" implies is that there is usually a person somewhere in the frame.
 
Well there you go. I have a 85mm on my 5D but I personally find 50mm about the limit on APS-C if shooting indoors and that would be even truer for me if trying to shoot anything other than quite a tight shot.
 
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do you want razor thing DOF? if yes then get a fast prime.

if you are not bothered about DOF then get a 24-105 f4 L
 
24-105 is a superb lens and I was saving up for it but many people advised me to go for the 15-85 as it acts as an equivalent to the 24-105 for crop bodies.
 
Tori, when you say for "portraits" do you mean indoor or out, or both ?

Different lenses will be more suitable depending on this I would think.

I have a Tamron 28-75 f2.8 which I think is great for studio work. The max aperture is irrelevant to a point anyway as you'll be shooting at f8 upward most of the time.
 
Tori said:
This is for studio work yes :)
Click to expand...

In that case I'd unquestionably go for the 24-105L

Phil
 
24-105 gets my vote. anywhere from F4-8 its amazing. I shoot portraits on a crop and its the perfect range for me.
 
Looks like a 24-105 it is then :) Thanks for your comments everyone.
 
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