Which lens for Portrait?

James306

James306

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I have decided to have a go at the 100 strangers challenge, where you take 100 strangers portraits and find out a little about them. I figure it's a good way to improve my portrait abilities, and my confidence when it comes to taking photos out with a DSLR :)

I was originally going to just get a Nifty Fifty for the job, but someone suggested it could be worth looking into the 85mm 1.8. I am also finding for the same money I could be getting myself the 50mm 1.4 which would be more tempting over the nifty with the extra stop and USM.

I am shooting on a 40D so 1.6 crop and would like to keep the budget down as best I can, say £250. Any other suggestions for lenses I may have overlooked?
 
Sigma 1.4 50mm is meant to be good. I'd rather use a 50mm than 85mm, easier to get closer than it is to step away (i.e due to lack of space sometimes).
 
I'm also thinking with having the Tamron, I have the use of 50mm. I know it's not going to be as sharp, and the extra stops would be a huge benefit, but the 85mm would probably make a better combo with the Tamron...
 
I went for the 17-55mm Canon 2.8 Its a fantastic lens and the range is great, if your in a tight spot, want full body in, or you want head shots etc, the range covers this. also the 2.8 dof can be nice to use on shots.

Price range is out of your limit, but look at the tamron version, this its the 17-50mm Non vc its about your price range :-)
 
Robbo said:
I went for the 17-55mm Canon 2.8 Its a fantastic lens and the range is great, if your in a tight spot, want full body in, or you want head shots etc, the range covers this. also the 2.8 dof can be nice to use on shots.

Price range is out of your limit, but look at the tamron version, this its the 17-50mm Non vc its about your price range :-)
Click to expand...

I already have the Tamron 17-50 ;)
 
so what makes you want to get a different lens to cover the range you already have?
 
Robbo said:
so what makes you want to get a different lens to cover the range you already have?
Click to expand...

The much improved image quality and faster glass. It's too easy to just use a zoom, I imagine it would be more fun/interesting using prime.
 
Faster glass yes, but at 1.4 your gonna have some seriously soft image, with the 50mm 1.4 you will need at least f4 to pull a sharp image. Which is where the tamron hits sharps aswell.

With 50 on a cropped sensor yours getting very limited depending on space. Your looking at mainly head and shoulder shots. If you can move back your screwed.

Just a thought
 
The Siggy 50mm is pretty sharp at f2.

Anyway...

Why do so many think that a "portrait" lens has to be a prime? Many zoom lenses are excellent and allow you to frame your subject easier. The only advantages that I can see that primes have is wider apertures and macro and neither of those qualities are that relevant to most portraits are they? Not unless you want to go wider than f2.8 for artistic reasons or because you are shooting with low available light.
 
woof woof said:
The Siggy 50mm is pretty sharp at f2.

Anyway...

Why do so many think that a "portrait" lens has to be a prime? Many zoom lenses are excellent and allow you to frame your subject easier. The only advantages that I can see that primes have is wider apertures and macro and neither of those qualities are that relevant to most portraits are they? Not unless you want to go wider than f2.8 for artistic reasons or because you are shooting with low available light.
Click to expand...

agree....

When I first started to look into portraits etc I just 'assumed' to get a prime...then looking into it and the space for a home studio set up it wasnt gong to be practical.

Hence I bought the Canon 17-55mm 2.8 which is fantastic even wipe open.
 
Yup.

I have a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 and it's so sharp at f4 that any portrait taken shows every wrinkle. :lol: Also, the sort of lenses being talked about would in many places only give you a tight head / head and shoulders shot and I'd find that limiting.
 
I generally use a Sigma 24-60mm f2.8 for portraits. They have discontinued it in favour of the 24-70mm, but it is the sharper of the two.
 
I have the Tamron 17-50 and the Canon 85 f1.8. Love them both, I use the Tamron when I need flexibility but when space allows I love the 85mm for the creamy backgrounds.
 
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