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11/19/2007 03:28:11 PM · #1 |
Im about to buy a new lens as my 18-55mm is not working. I need suggestions on the best lens to buy for studio portrait photography...any advice is greatly appreciated..Thank you
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11/19/2007 03:35:58 PM · #2 |
Originally posted by bennettjamie:
Im about to buy a new lens as my 18-55mm is not working. I need suggestions on the best lens to buy for studio portrait photography...any advice is greatly appreciated..Thank you |
"Best" is very subjective. Do you have room to move around a bit in studio or is it a small space? Do you have a budget in mind? |
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11/19/2007 03:40:28 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Kaveran:
Originally posted by bennettjamie:
Im about to buy a new lens as my 18-55mm is not working. I need suggestions on the best lens to buy for studio portrait photography...any advice is greatly appreciated..Thank you |
"Best" is very subjective. Do you have room to move around a bit in studio or is it a small space? Do you have a budget in mind? |
I do have some room in the studio. The only other lens I have now is my 75-300mm which doesn't work well, so it would need to be something smaller I believe? I don't want to spend too much, but I don't want something super cheap either.
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11/19/2007 03:44:34 PM · #4 |
That's a tough question to answer....not knowing your needs or budget. Here's a short list of the top portrait lenses.
Canon 24-70 2.8L
Canon 50 1.2L
Canon 85 1.2L
Canon 135 2.0L
and here's a short list of cheaper but still very nice altenatives
Tamron 28-75 2.8
Canon 50 1.4
Canon 85 1.8
Canon 100 2.0
If the lens you're looking for is also for everyday use (ie. walkaround) then you may want to stick with a zoom for convenience, but if you're mainly getting it for doing portraits in a controlled enviornment then I'd say go for a prime lens. If looking for a zoom maybe consider the Canon 17-55 2.8 IS, it's a fantastic lens as well...although I don't really hear about it being a "portrait" lens. |
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11/19/2007 03:48:38 PM · #5 |
I replaced my kit lens with the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG because I wanted a lens that was faster in low-light situations. It isn't as wide, but I like using it for portraits and it's a great walkaround lens. I think it was about $150 used on ebay, $300 new.
My absolute favorite portrait lens is the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II. It was $95 from B&H Camera and I use it all the time. BUT it can be challenging to use in tight spaces. |
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11/19/2007 03:51:29 PM · #6 |
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11/19/2007 03:51:39 PM · #7 |
I thought the 24-70 2.8L would be 'the' portrait lens based on everything I'd read. To be honest, I rarely use it. I only find the 70mm end to be viable, anything wider you start getting perspective distortion unless you want to shoot parallel to the subject. I find it looks better to shoot from slightly above.
At 70mm you might as well use the 85 since you get more options with aperture.
So I generally use either the 85 prime or the 70-200. |
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11/19/2007 03:52:54 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by routerguy666:
I thought the 24-70 2.8L would be 'the' portrait lens based on everything I'd read. To be honest, I rarely use it. I only find the 70mm end to be viable, anything wider you start getting perspective distortion unless you want to shoot parallel to the subject. I find it looks better to shoot from slightly above.
At 70mm you might as well use the 85 since you get more options with aperture.
So I generally use either the 85 prime or the 70-200. |
That's probably got a lot to do with the camera you own. I used to love a 50mm on a D60, never touch it with a 1DII. 85mm is my go-to portrait lens. It might well become 100mm when I get a FF camera.
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11/19/2007 03:57:22 PM · #9 |
Thanks everyone, I am going to look at prices for the suggested lens mentioned in this thread. I will let oyu know what I chose. Thanks again!
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