Portrait lenses?

[flyingdogguitar]

Hi,
can anyone tell me what they're preferences are for portrait lenses to accompany they're EOS 10D's??


Many thanks

Dave

[Tom W]

For portraits on the 10D, you're probably going to find that either the 50 mm f/1.4 or the 85 mm f/1.8 are very good. Depends on how far away from the subject you will be. If the room is small-to-medium, the 50 will be a good choice. In a medium to large room, the 85 is the better tool.

If you have a zoom with your 10d, you should try framing in typical portrait scenarios to see what focal length gives you the image you want.

[FlipsidE]

I'd probably go with

This one (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=206434&is=USA)

or

This one (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=149629&is=USA)

[ralee]

I tend to agree with Tom, I would also either go with the 50f/1.4 or 85f/1.8. Both of the lenses are great bang for the buck, I tend to prefer the 85 when the room permits.

Rob

[nosquare2003]

Hi,
can anyone tell me what they're preferences are for portrait lenses to accompany they're EOS 10D's??


Hmm...it's a simple question but difficult to answer...

- full body / head and shoulder shots?
- interaction with the environment / separation from the environment?
- artificial lighting or ambient lighting as main source?

[blackviolet]

here (http://www.pbase.com/iagrafx/lens_test_showcase) is one simple example i did a while back on a 10d for someone else to see the differences between the 50 1.8 (with and w/out a 1.4x) and the 85 1.8. it was just a quick and dirty test - the images were not the greatest in the world, but they do show the differences in perspective and 'squashing' of the facial features.

[CyberDyneSystems]

85mm :)

[DocFrankenstein]

here (http://www.pbase.com/iagrafx/lens_test_showcase) is one simple example i did a while back on a 10d for someone else to see the differences between the 50 1.8 (with and w/out a 1.4x) and the 85 1.8. it was just a quick and dirty test - the images were not the greatest in the world, but they do show the differences in perspective and 'squashing' of the facial features.
Did you use those Perma Smile injections on the kid?

[blackviolet]

lol - yeah you can tell he gets sick of dad always taking pictures 'just testing something....' 'awwww, again?!'

[cmM]

85mm :)
I'll second that. It's my favorite lens for close portraits.

[jyrgen]

50/1.4 and 85/1.8.

[dennykyser]

I do lots of portraits and use both the 50mm f/1.4 and the 85mm f/1.8 if indoor and outdoor like the 70-200 f/4L

The 85mm is very close to L quality IMO

[roanjohn]

Ultimate portrait lens: 85 f1.2

Budget portrait lens: 85 f1.8 / 50 f1.4

Versatile portrait lens: 70-200 f4 L or the 2.8 version

Hella cheap portrait lens: 50 f1.8

Hope this helps.

Ro1

[dennykyser]

Here is an example of the 85 mm f/1.8 shot at 100 ISO, f/5.6 with Canon UV filter.

http://www.kyserphoto.com/images/Belinda215.jpg

[dennykyser]

Same Lens shot at f/2.0

http://www.kyserphoto.com/images/Mic020.jpg

[daveh]

My 85 f1.2 is my do-almost-everything-including-portraits lens.

[Pekka]

My 85 f1.2 is my do-almost-everything-including-portraits lens.

Me too :)

[MarkH]

I'd probably go with

This one (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=206434&is=USA)

or

This one (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=149629&is=USA)

Interestingly I took these: http://www.gigatech.co.nz/BBT04.htm with my 18-135 IS.
I find that a zoom allows very quick and discreet changes to composition, useful for spontaneous portraits. If you are able to tell the model where to stand and where to look, etc then the primes are fine. I can easily check my EXIF data on the shots taken with my 28-135 to find out what focal length would most suit.

[scottbergerphoto]

The 85mm on a 10D is equivalent to about 130mm. That's a little long for a standard portrait lens. I use a Canon 24-70 f/2.8. On the 10D, that puts it at about 40-115mm. I'm usually in the 85-105mm range.
Scott

[Kenski]

Wheres all the 50mm 1.8 guys at?? I figured they would all be ringing in!! :)

[swatcop169]

Wheres all the 50mm 1.8 guys at?? I figured they would all be ringing in!! :)

I'll have mine today :)

[roanjohn]

Wheres all the 50mm 1.8 guys at?? I figured they would all be ringing in!! :)

........they've upgraded to the 1.4 version ;-)

Ro1

[dennykyser]

........they've upgraded to the 1.4 version

Good one but I have to admit, I did exactly that, had the 1.8 for a month, sold it on EBAY for more than I paid for it, and ordered the 1.4 USM

Not bashing the 1.8, but I do love the 1.4 w/usm

[Kenski]

Wheres all the 50mm 1.8 guys at?? I figured they would all be ringing in!! :)

........they've upgraded to the 1.4 version ;-)

Ro1

Thats why I started out with the 1.4.... Why bother upgrading later!! :)


I can't talk crap about the 1.8 because I know nothing about it.. Never used it... What I can say about the 1.4 is that I'm addicted to it... :) My favorite lens right now.. :)

[nat869]

Wheres all the 50mm 1.8 guys at?? I figured they would all be ringing in!!

Alright, I will weigh in on the topic. I really love the 50mm 1.8, it is cheap and sharp. For studio work, the 1.8 aperture is no big deal. As was mentioned previously, for small and meduim size rooms, 50mm is a perfect focal length. Here are some outdoor pics I took a couple months ago. http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=42716&highlight=fitness+model

Hooray for the nifty thrifty fifty :shock: :lol: :lol:

[swatcop169]

Wheres all the 50mm 1.8 guys at?? I figured they would all be ringing in!!

Alright, I will weigh in on the topic. I really love the 50mm 1.8, it is cheap and sharp. For studio work, the 1.8 aperture is no big deal. As was mentioned previously, for small and meduim size rooms, 50mm is a perfect focal length. Here are some outdoor pics I took a couple months ago. http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=42716&highlight=fitness+model

Hooray for the nifty thrifty fifty :shock: :lol: :lol:

I wanna see the rest of those pictures :D

[commando]

Good one but I have to admit, I did exactly that, had the 1.8 for a month, sold it on EBAY for more than I paid for it, and ordered the 1.4 USM

Not bashing the 1.8, but I do love the 1.4 w/usm

Can you explain why you like the 1.4 so much better? I presume it's faster autofocus and faster focusing, but i'd like your thoughts as i'm considering getting the 1.8 at the moment. $70 for the 1.8 and $290 for the 1.4 means it'd have to be a lot better for me to be able to justify it to myself.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I like my 50mm 1.8 just fine.

But for portraits I prefer longer.

85mm :wink:

[Skinner]

Glad to see you list the 28-105. I just bought that one this past weekend but have not had a chance to try any protrait shots with it yet.

QUick question. Is the Digital Rebel capiable of doing pro level work?

[commando]

QUick question. Is the Digital Rebel capiable of doing pro level work?

It's very similar to the 10D, so i'd have to say yes. I think the 10D has a few more features and it's tougher.

[dennykyser]

I liked the USM and build much better, and I just didnt like the feel of the 1.8, even though the images were good. I felt this way, on the 10D it is used A LOT. and regardless to what people say for me it is a portrait lens and a very good quality one. So when you look at the price of the lens and how much you will be using it, its a steal.

1.4 USM Portrait lens for $290 is a great deal.

[nat869]

Glad to see you list the 28-105. I just bought that one this past weekend but have not had a chance to try any protrait shots with it yet.

I also have this lens and really like it. I bought it when I first got the 10D and tried out some portraits with it. If interested here is the link.
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36768&highlight=fitness+model

[swatcop169]

Glad to see you list the 28-105. I just bought that one this past weekend but have not had a chance to try any protrait shots with it yet.

I also have this lens and really like it. I bought it when I first got the 10D and tried out some portraits with it. If interested here is the link.
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36768&highlight=fitness+model

Where can we see the pictures for this girl? nudes and all :D

[photography By Evangelos]

85 1.8 for me and 24-70L But I think the 85 1.8 is a sharper lens. I am looking at the 50 1.4 also very sharp. As for the 50 1.8 Plastic mount I think the lens is junk and a poor optical performer had it sold it. It really depends on you shooting style. Safest lens would be the 24-70L and an all around good lens that is very versatile lens.



Angleo 8)

[commando]

85 1.8 for me and 24-70L But I think the 85 1.8 is a sharper lens. I am looking at the 50 1.4 also very sharp. As for the 50 1.8 Plastic mount I think the lens is junk and a poor optical performer had it sold it. It really depends on you shooting style. Safest lens would be the 24-70L and an all around good lens that is very versatile lens.


One problem with this site (and many similar sites) is you get a load of people recommending something, then a few dissenters, and it's hard to know what to make of it. My experience with the Tamron lens is similar - many people say it's great, I get it, and it's fine but not much of an improvement on my kit lens.

[nat869]

Where can we see the pictures for this girl? nudes and all


:lol: :lol: I am overdue to post some really great pics I took of her. Most recently I used the Tamron 28-75 that I just got. I am actually flying with her to Vegas tomorrow (thurs) to photo her as she competes this weekend. We are planning a couple photo shoots, so there will be more good pics with the 50mm 1.8 and the Tamron. Swatcop, the girl is the amazing Samantha Steele!!!!

[swatcop169]

Where can we see the pictures for this girl? nudes and all


:lol: :lol: I am overdue to post some really great pics I took of her. Most recently I used the Tamron 28-75 that I just got. I am actually flying with her to Vegas tomorrow (thurs) to photo her as she competes this weekend. We are planning a couple photo shoots, so there will be more good pics with the 50mm 1.8 and the Tamron. Swatcop, the girl is the amazing Samantha Steele!!!!

Can't wait to see the pictures

[LouDawg]

I use a Canon 24-70 f/2.8. On the 10D, that puts it at about 40-115mm. I'm usually in the 85-105mm range.
Scott

I'll second that.

[Olegis]

One problem with this site (and many similar sites) is you get a load of people recommending something, then a few dissenters, and it's hard to know what to make of it. My experience with the Tamron lens is similar - many people say it's great, I get it, and it's fine but not much of an improvement on my kit lens.

What you see as a problem, I see as a wonderful opportunity to receive more opinions based on personal experiences of many other photographers (pros and amateurs). If sites like this didn't exist, we all would be spending much more money before we could get that ultimate piece of equipment.

About the Tamron - again, I wouldn't judge the lens according to the first experience. Go out and shoot, shoot A LOT for 2-3 months, maybe more - and then you'll see why the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 is actually MUCH better than the kit lens. You'll see that it's sharper (which means you can make larger prints), brighter (more light for manual and auto focus = faster and more accurate and reliable focussing), better built (can take much more abuse) etc.

What I mean is - get to know your gear and you'll see the advantages and the disadvantages of every piece of it. There will be times when the Tamron will be your only solution for getting a shot (f/2.8 in low-light conditions) and then there will be times when the kit lens will get that wide-angle shot, which you can't produce with Tamron.