Ok so I just bought the 100-400L.Now about portrait primes..

[Adam Hicks]

I'm curious what prime meets the needs of a 1.6x factor portrait photographer? I've always been told that 85-120ish is the proper range for keeping ones features in their proper scale, but with canon's excellent 85mm f1.2 (or even the 1.8) becoming a virtual 136mm, it's almost a little long. From there you have to go down to the 50mm 1.4 (80mm) which might actually work better, assuming you're not too 'in the face' of your subject. I understand that zooms are more versatile, but find me an F1.x zoom!

Any thoughts here? What do the portrait shooters use? I'm curious now, and I know the excitement of the 100-400L will wane after the next motorsports event and air show, and I'll be ready to find a good prime in a few weeks!

Thanks,
Adam

[nosquare2003]

Have you used your 28-75mm and 100mm for portraits? Are they too long or too short?

[roanjohn]

I personally like the 85 focal length for portraiture.

The 50 is not bad..............but the 85 is just right (and provides a more pleasing bokeh).

Ro1

[Adam Hicks]

I've used both lenses in the past, just wanting something brighter. This is with my 28-75... sorry for the distracting picture. This is actually a full body crop of just the head of my daughter. I've been really pleased with the quality of the Tamron lens. Wish THEY made an affordable 75 or 85 prime lens!

Adam

http://www.golilm.com/images/RileyandAidan/Daughter.jpg

[CyberDyneSystems]

85mm... f/1.8 or f/1.2 if your rich.. :wink:

50mm f/1.4

[DaveG]

I'm curious what prime meets the needs of a 1.6x factor portrait photographer? I've always been told that 85-120ish is the proper range for keeping ones features in their proper scale, but with canon's excellent 85mm f1.2 (or even the 1.8) becoming a virtual 136mm, it's almost a little long. From there you have to go down to the 50mm 1.4 (80mm) which might actually work better, assuming you're not too 'in the face' of your subject. I understand that zooms are more versatile, but find me an F1.x zoom!

Any thoughts here? What do the portrait shooters use? I'm curious now, and I know the excitement of the 100-400L will wane after the next motorsports event and air show, and I'll be ready to find a good prime in a few weeks!

Thanks,
Adam

For the 1.6 conversion a 60-70mm lens would be great, but they don't make primes in those focal lengths. The 85 mm lenses are too long (135mm, converted) for conventional portraits; and especially if you are trying to do this kind of shooting in a small space like a living room.

In any case the 50 f1.4 would be good choice - and I'm very happy with mine.