Canon L Series Lens Recommendation for Portraits

[lmtayl2]

Hello fello Photo bugs:

I'm just now getting into doing portraits of band members and individuals and would like a recommendation on a "L" series lens to get the sharpest pics.

Lisa

[kevin_c]

What camera body do you have - is it a 'crop' sensor (1.6x or 1.3) or a full frame? also what is your budget?

For a quality prime lens It's probably going to be between the 50mm f/1.2L 85mm f/1.2L and 135mm f/2L but all depends on budget etc.
Zoom options include the 24-70L & 70-200L

[Mark_Cohran]

For what camera? Individual portraits or groups? Why in "sharpest" so important? For portraits there is such a thing as too sharp (especially for women).

My recommendations for a full frame camera 5d or 1Ds versions:

1. 85 f/1.2L
2. 135 f/2L
3. Or for more versatility - 70-200 f/2.8L

For a crop camera

1. 85 f/1.2L (but this will be a little long on a crop body - not unusable, but you'll need to consider subject to lens distance).
2. 24-70 f/2.8L (for the same versatility reasons mentioned above).

The primes have the advantage of larger aperture and less bulk, but the zooms are quite sharp, will work for individual and group portraiture, and although slower can still provide adequate background blur.


Mark

[René Damkot]

Individual portraits, approx. waist up:

For 1.6 crop camera: 50/1.4 or EF-s 60mm macro.
For FF: 100mm macro ;)

Probabely sharper then an L zoom :lol:

Mark is right on the 'sharp' though...

[lmtayl2]

What camera body do you have - is it a 'crop' sensor (1.6x or 1.3) or a full frame? also what is your budget?

For a quality prime lens It's probably going to be between the 50mm f/1.2L 85mm f/1.2L and 135mm f/2L but all depends on budget etc.
Zoom options include the 24-70L & 70-200L

I have a Rebel XT at the moment. The pictures I'm looking to take are either inside a small studio, medium size church and outside.

Group size of the band members will be anywhere from 3-12 people.

Budge

[lmtayl2]

What camera body do you have - is it a 'crop' sensor (1.6x or 1.3) or a full frame? also what is your budget?

For a quality prime lens It's probably going to be between the 50mm f/1.2L 85mm f/1.2L and 135mm f/2L but all depends on budget etc.
Zoom options include the 24-70L & 70-200L


I have a Canon Rebel XT.

Group of band members could be from 3 to 12 people.

Shooting the portrait shots inside a church, outside and small studio.

Portraits could include musicians with instruments as well.

[Mark_Cohran]

Does it have to be an L? Rene gave you some very reasonable alternatives, though I think the 24-70 f/2.8L is going to be your best all around lens for what you've described.

Mark

[Woolburr]

Given all the variables that you have, I would have to suggest the EF 24-70 f/2.8 L as well. It is a great lens for what you propose and will work superbly with fill flash too.

[lmtayl2]

Thanks Mark, Rene and Kevin. I also have in my possession a 70-200mm 2.8 L canon lens that I use a lot for shooting the band in low light. I love this lens.

[EOS Man]

I've got the 24-70 and for portraits, it's two thumbs up (and wait till I try a 70-200). Still, 24-70 is a good walkaround range, even on a crop camera.