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01/08/2006 12:36:29 PM · #1 |
I will be ordering my Canon 20D from B&H this week. This is the one I have picked out. B&H I want to know what is the best lens for taking portraits? Are there any specific filters I should buy for portraits? What do I need to buy with this camera? I picked out the Canon Kit with the bigger lens, do I really need that one?
my spelling sucks
Message edited by author 2006-01-08 12:40:09. |
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01/08/2006 12:43:12 PM · #2 |
The Canon 50mm/1.8 would be a good start, and it's very cheap.
Message edited by author 2006-01-08 12:43:43. |
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01/08/2006 12:45:44 PM · #3 |
| the bigger lens? the 18-85mm IS? I hear it's a good lens. The 85mm 1.8 is a good portrait lens, as are any of the 50 - 200mm prime lenses. You can also use the 70-200L zooms pretty well for them. |
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01/08/2006 12:57:51 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by kyebosh:
the bigger lens? the 18-85mm IS? I hear it's a good lens. The 85mm 1.8 is a good portrait lens, as are any of the 50 - 200mm prime lenses. You can also use the 70-200L zooms pretty well for them. |
Well, it looked bigger to me from the picture. Can you tell that I am a SLR beginner? I think it comes with a EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6. |
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01/08/2006 01:17:24 PM · #5 |
| i use a 28-135 is with my 20d its a awesome lense |
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01/08/2006 01:19:42 PM · #6 |
This one
does a very good job. But it can be quite pricy.
Message edited by author 2006-01-08 13:51:04.
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01/08/2006 01:22:39 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by rex:
This one
dopes a very good job. But it can be quite pricy. |
ditto!! |
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01/08/2006 01:38:07 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by TLL061:
Originally posted by rex:
This one
dopes a very good job. But it can be quite pricy. |
ditto!! |
I'll 3rd that recommendation!
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01/08/2006 01:45:20 PM · #9 |
yep the 85mm is great for headshots. Really sharp, good control over DOF, and only around $330.
edit: yeah i meant the 17-85mm before :-)
Message edited by author 2006-01-08 13:45:40. |
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01/08/2006 01:50:39 PM · #10 |
Even more pricey than that 85/1.8 is the Canon 85/1.2 ($1499 at canogacamera.com). I've had that one on my wish list for awhile. Should be awesome in demanding lighting conditions, super thin dof at wider apertures, and among the sharpest Canon lenses according to photodo. The only downside might be that it's a little longer than you might want with the 20D.... but if you were ever to upgrade to a full-frame camera that would also be mitigated.
BTW, congrats on your new toy... have fun!
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01/08/2006 02:09:06 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by nova:
Even more pricey than that 85/1.8 is the Canon 85/1.2 ($1499 at canogacamera.com). I've had that one on my wish list for awhile. Should be awesome in demanding lighting conditions, super thin dof at wider apertures, and among the sharpest Canon lenses according to photodo. The only downside might be that it's a little longer than you might want with the 20D.... but if you were ever to upgrade to a full-frame camera that would also be mitigated.
BTW, congrats on your new toy... have fun! |
This is my best portrait lens.
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01/08/2006 02:25:23 PM · #12 |
I'm going to agree with the 85mm f/1.8 as a fantastic portrait lens. The 85mm f/1.2L is faster and has the 'L' glass features, but it also focuses slower and is bigger. Neither of these options is going to disappoint you!
Message edited by author 2006-01-08 15:49:00.
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01/08/2006 02:26:33 PM · #13 |
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01/08/2006 02:33:16 PM · #14 |
This is by far my most favorite lens for working with people. The only trouble is, on the 20D even the short end (70mm) can feel a bit cramped in small places.
So I use this lens for just about anything else when it comes to portraits.
And this one sure comes in handy when you need the light or want the really shallow DOF.
-----
I purposely left the names out so you have to click the links. :-) |
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01/08/2006 02:43:53 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by mandyturner:
What do I need to buy with this camera? I picked out the Canon Kit with the bigger lens, do I really need that one?
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While you're at it: Get an extra battery. You never know when you'll need it! (on the good side, the 20D is miserly with its battery, you'll find that one charge will last a very long time)
And I highly recommend the Canon 580EX flash. If that breaks the bank, then at least get the Canon 430EX flash. |
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01/08/2006 11:38:16 PM · #16 |
No such thing exists. You need to find the lens that fit your budget and shooting style needs.
If you shoot indoors, you probably will need a shorter lens like a 35mm or a 50mm. Outside and candid situations may require a 85mm or a 100mm or a 70-200 zoom.
Generally lens for portratis tend to be fast, meaning that they have low f values such as f1.8 or f2.8 to better blur out the background.
Good luck
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01/08/2006 11:48:01 PM · #17 |
| I'm more than happy with my Tamron SP AF 28-75mm XR DI f2.8. Fantastic value lens. I also use the EF50mm 1.8 for my portraits too! Both are great value and give very good results! |
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01/09/2006 12:24:36 AM · #18 |
Lens choices for portraits depends a lot on preference and style. I know folks that used zoom lenses in the 70-200mm range and keep the aperture set around f4 or f5.6. This lets you get a very sharp portait. And if you keep some distance between your subject and your background, you can get a very pleasing background blur that lets the subject really stand out.
I personally prefer to use a fast lenses of the old manual variety. I typically shoot them wide open, or very near it, because I prefer the shallow plane of focus and the soft, diffuse background effect. Focus can be a real PITA, but when you get it right, it makes it all worth while.
I have several favorites, but the most versatile has to be an old 55mm f1.4 lens by Yashica. Very nice all the time, and superb in low light. I hear the Canon version is also quite excellent, but some folks have a hard time justifying the extra dough for the 1.4 over the 1.8. However, with portraits, I find that it does make a difference.
A few from a recent shoot with the 55mm f1.4:
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01/09/2006 02:16:41 AM · #19 |
Portrait lens? some examples I like....
for a 20D head & shoulders I would opt for 50 - 60mm  as about perfect.
85 to 135mm also excellent 
For environmental portraits, as wide as 28, 30, 35mm is effective.  |
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01/09/2006 03:22:44 PM · #20 |
| Thanks everybody for your suggestions. I ordered the camera, two lenses (look on profile page), Canon camera bag, remote switch, cleaning lens kit, battery grip and two batteries, and two memory cards from B&H. They will be here by the end of the week! I am so excited! I do want to get some more lenses later. But I have spent enough money for now. |
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