Portraiture lens

[shutter_blitz]

I will be doing a portraiture session for practice next month. This will be a mother-daughter shoot. Daughter is about 1.5 yrs old and mom in her early 30s.
I will be shooting mostly indoors where the space is kinda cramped so the shots will be formal and "staged". I might also shoot outdoors depending on the weather. Outdoors the shots will be candid and unrehearsed.
For the purpose of this shoot I want to rent a really, really good canon protraiture lens. Since its a rental, price is obvioulsy no problem.
Should I go for an L series or non-L series? If so which is the best one?

Also, does anyone have any reviews of rentcameragear.com? I checked resellerratings and there were only 2 very high reviews. I live on the east coast and am looking for an online store based nearby so the shipping costs are low.

[SkipD]

You already have what is probably the best general-purpose indoor portraiture lens (your 50mm f/1.4) for an APS-C camera (which your XT is). Don't look any further. Just use what you have for camera/lens and focus on lighting systems and lighting setup, posing, background, etc.

If you don't have one, I would suggest getting a decent tripod to put under your camera, especially if you wish to use continuous lighting for the portrait work.

Keep your subjects away from your background by at least six feet or so. This will help you hide shadows below the subjects.

[Mum2J&M]

^^^ Yup, what he said. But if you really want to rent an L, go with the 35 1.4. It's great indoors and out.

[PhotosGuy]

does anyone have any reviews of rentcameragear.com? Not sure, but they may be POTN members.

Roger Cicala of POTN
http://www.lensrentals.com/

http://www.rentglass.com/
http://www.therentedlens.com/
Rent Lens in Norther Cali (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=314284)

Where Can I rent Lenses (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=285651)

where to rent ef-efs lenses in uk? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=216582)

[shutter_blitz]

Yes, I will be shooting with the 50. But since I have been using it for a while I wanted to diversify and try out a new lens......something that is just as good or even better. Its an opportunity for me to try a new lens and I want to use it.

[SkipD]

Yes, I will be shooting with the 50. But since I have been using it for a while I wanted to diversify and try out a new lens......something that is just as good or even better. Its an opportunity for me to try a new lens and I want to use it.Only you can decide, then, what focal length (or focal length range) that you want to try. It all depends on what you want to do for framing of the subject and the distance between the camera and subject that you want to use.

Just remember that crawling up close to a portrait subject will often produce an image that is not appreciated by the subject. The closer you are, the larger the nose will look relative to ears, etc.

[shutter_blitz]

Ok, I will most probably go for the 70-200mm f2.8 L with IS since I have never used a zoom and it would be pratical in my case since the session involves a little girl. I don't want to be moving too much.

[RTphotog]

canon 85mm f/1.8 is considered as one of the best portrait non-L lens.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-85mm-f-1.8-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

i hope this helps a little.

[sonshine_rae]

The 70-200 would be a great lens.. but it will be a bit long inside especially on a crop camera.. just something to keep in mind.

A 24-70 if you want to go with an L zoom .. would be a great portrait lens to try out.