Favorite Portrat Lens?

[dennykyser]

I know a lot of guys have posted on this but for the sake of alot of us going to ask it in a different way. If you were going to shoot some portraits indoor and outside and could only take one lens, and it couldnt be an L lens, what would it be?

[maderito]

For head shots: Canon 85/1.8 (~$330)
For head and shoulders: Canon 50/1.4 (~$300)

I guess that's 2 lenses :). You'll have to decide what you're gonna shoot.

If you can manage lugging 2 lenses around, consider: 85/1.8 + 50/1.8 (~$400).

These are fast lenses (and actually quite light and compact). You'll want to do more than shoot portraits with them.

[dennykyser]

Thanks, I have also seen some head shots with the 50 1.4 this seems to be a very good lens.

[PekkaM]

What is this Canon 50 f/1L I've seen listed on Canon Europe website? There is no info page on it and I really cannot find any info on it.

On this page: http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Fixed_Focal_Length/index.asp?ComponentID=25200&SourcePageID=26112#2

[westfalcon1]

I love the 28-135 IS lens. I get 16x20s that amaze people with their sharpness.....they look like medium format!!!! That lens is my most used lens and I have 4 L lenses so that is saying something!! I use it at weddings for portraits as well as studio type shots in my living room. I shoot at asa 100 and large jpegs since that is all my lab will accept. Saying I'm happy with this lens is an understatement. I got it refurbed at B&H for about $370 and it may have been my best purchase ever. I shoot at F11 on studio portraits so that I am using the best part of the lens. Wide open, its not a very fast lens but that doesn't bother me. If I want a fast portrait lens, the 50 mm f1.4 usm is my favorite but it doen't zoom. good luck Brian

[chris.bailey]

As others have said the 50mm 1.4 is a super lense for head and shoulders work and with the 1.6 crop factor comes out at the classic 80mm portrait lense. Why 80mm? As I learnt it 80mm at normal portrait distances was neutral i.e. with minimum distortion and therefore created the most life like images.

I also use the 17-40 for group shots and the 28-135 when I am doing the kids (as they tend to move around a lot). For the money though the 50mm takes a hell of a lot of beating.

[CyberDyneSystems]

What is this Canon 50 f/1L I've seen listed on Canon Europe website? There is no info page on it and I really cannot find any info on it.

On this page: http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Fixed_Focal_Length/index.asp?ComponentID=25200&SourcePageID=26112#2

This is a discontinued lens.. a true marvel that you can find used but be prepared to spend about $1,200.00 - $2,000.00!!!!!! :shock:

[PekkaM]

This is a discontinued lens.. a true marvel that you can find used but be prepared to spend about $1,200.00 - $2,000.00!!!!!! :shock:
Why would they discontinue a lens that is the fastest one available? :shock:

[DaveG]

This is a discontinued lens.. a true marvel that you can find used but be prepared to spend about $1,200.00 - $2,000.00!!!!!! :shock:
Why would they discontinue a lens that is the fastest one available? :shock:

Can't sell any?

[Belmondo]

I have one of the 50mm f/1.0L lenses, and it's a gorgeous piece of equipment. It's quite heavy, and has the typical 'L' quality, both in build and optics.

I must confess, I bought it mainly as a curiosity because I have no need for it. I don't now what I'll do with it now that I have it other than stick it on the camera and admire it from time to time. I've yet to take any pictures with it that I couldn't have just as easily gotten with my f/1.4 50mm lens, although I'm sure there will someday be a low-light situation in which it will shine.

I would imagine it was dropped from the line because demand for it was probably very limited, and the f/1.4 was such a bargain in comparison.

Here's a little information on it: http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/lens/ef/data/ef_50_10l_usm.html.

I do't know if I got a good deal on it or not. I traded my Dell 70-200 f/2.8L IS which was worth roughly $1500 (still new and unopened), but because of the 'special price,' I really only paid $1100 for it. So, depending on how you want to look at it, I paid either $1500 or $1100 for the lens.


Thos.

[PekkaM]

Here's a little information on it: http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/lens/ef/data/ef_50_10l_usm.html.

It states there that it was the fastest lens at the time. Was there a reason not to produce lenses with such a large aperture anymore? I'd guess that it produces really great depth blurring and great low light photos...

[Belmondo]

I think it was just economics. It had to be an expensive lens to produce, and apparently demand simply wasn't sufficient to build it any longer. If it had been a money-maker, they'd still be offering it.

Thos

[CyberDyneSystems]

Canon seems to have thing for discontinuing great lenses. :(


The absolute best sharpest telepehoto lens they ever made was discontinued just a few years ago...

The 200mm f/1.8

It is the undisputed champion of razor blade sharp contrasty images at full f/1.8 apeture.