Best Lens For Shooting Portraits

[JerelXTI]

Hello POTN,

I'd like to know what is the best lens for shooting portraits? I have the kit lens (18-55) that came with my Rebel XTI. Would it be good to just go with 18-55 or should I look at something else? When I return to the states I'll be purchasing 2 studio lights and a backdrop. The main reason I want to shoot portraits is my wife is thinking about modeling for a online lingerie shop.

if you would please help:D

[DigitalSpecialist]

Try the 85 1.8, or the 50 1.8 as a good starting point...

[S.Horton]

Welcome to POTN.

You're just sick lucky that your wife wants to do that type of work and you will get to help.

I think your focal length is fine, the question for you is how good do need the results to be? How large will the prints be?

[JerelXTI]

Thanks guys, I'll find out what size the prints have to be, I just hope I'll be able to pull the shoot off. I've been studying shots that others have done and posted on POTN just hope i can pull it off. I have about 3 to 4 months before I return so I hope my skill level will be up to par

[lyttleviet]

At the very least, I would suggest an 85 1.8. What is your budget?

[JerelXTI]

At the very least, I would suggest an 85 1.8. What is your budget?

$600.00 to $800.00 is no problem thanks to Uncle Sam and all this deployment money.;)

[lyttleviet]

$600.00 to $800.00 is no problem thanks to Uncle Sam and all this deployment money.;)

Maybe you can get a used 135L :)...

[phigment]

I haven't really done much portraiture, but from what I understand, 85mm and 135mm are good for shoulder and head shots on a full 35mm frame.

Now, since you are using a crop sensor, that means you should be looking at 50mm and 85mm for shoulder/head shots.

If you are trying to do lingerie shots, you will want something wider. Maybe something in the 30-50mm range.

I think 135mm would be far too long for full body shots on a 1.6 crop sensor unless you are going to stand very far back.

[JasonRussell]

I would say a 30/50 1.4 for a crop body.

85 and 135 will be too long for indoors if you ask me.

[jbone]

I would say a 30/50 1.4 for a crop body.

85 and 135 will be too long for indoors if you ask me.

Yeah I have the 85 1.8 on my xti. If you have a big room no problem, but Ive had difficulty using it indoors. Otherwise its a great sharp lense!!

[JerelXTI]

Thanks all. I'll tell you I love this forum. Everyone is so helpful. Again Thanks. I'll make sure when I get back and do the shoot I'll post a few pictures.

[Shellback]

Most of my portrait work has been family, grand kids, and a neighbor's son who I've been doing annual shoots with for several years now as he grows so compared to others here my experience is probably limited.

For the past few years I used a Tamron 17-50 2.8 and really love this lens but last year I bought a "nifty 50" Canon 50 1.8 and really love this lens for portrait work on my 30D. The price is around $80.00 but it's legendary for it's quality and it works great on the crop body. If you do a search you'll probably find tons of favorable comments on it.

Good luck and take care of yourself over there.

[captainkimo]

The nifty fifty is a bang-for-back lens. Its cheap price may give one an impression that it can't perform well but you'll soon realize, after you have tried, that it's really a superb lens. Best of luck on your purchase.

Cheers!

Captain Kimo

[Patriotic1]

I would say a 30/50 1.4 for a crop body.

85 and 135 will be too long for indoors if you ask me.
+1. Especially if you are planning full body shots. I have a large rec room in my house that I was trying to use to learn portrait photography and it still wasn't big enough for full body shots with the 85 on my 40D - once the subject was several feet in front of the backdrop - so I ended up trading it in for the 50 1.4

Also, if you plan on buying a good/respectable 2 light setup (ex. some alien bees) it may cost you more than you think if you haven't researched that yet. So your best bet might be to buy a decent 30 or 50mm prime and put the money you have left over towards good lighting. Just my .02

[JerelXTI]

+1. Especially if you are planning full body shots. I have a large rec room in my house that I was trying to use to learn portrait photography and it still wasn't big enough for full body shots with the 85 on my 40D - once the subject was several feet in front of the backdrop - so I ended up trading it in for the 50 1.4

Also, if you plan on buying a good/respectable 2 light setup (ex. some alien bees) it may cost you more than you think if you haven't researched that yet. So your best bet might be to buy a decent 30 or 50mm prime and put the money you have left over towards good lighting. Just my .02

So a 30 or 50mm would work better? More than likely my subject will be about 5 to6 feet away from me. Will a 30mm be able to get afull body shot?

[egordon99]

You have the 18-55, so why don't YOU try taking some pictures at 30mm and 50mm and see what YOU like :)

So a 30 or 50mm would work better? More than likely my subject will be about 5 to6 feet away from me. Will a 30mm be able to get afull body shot?

[Patriotic1]

So a 30 or 50mm would work better?
I'd love to give you a definitive answer but this type of question is really a matter of personal taste/preference. But like the last posting points out, you can set your 18-55 to 50 and 30 and see for yourself which you prefer based on your space.

The 85 is still a great lens in many peoples opinion, but it just might be a little long for full body shots indoor. Don't forget you can probably find a local camera shop that rents lenses if you really wanted to see if the 85 is too long or not. I personally don't think you would go wrong with 30, 50 or the 85 if they work for your space. These are generally respected primes for portrait work - but of course, opinions differ on which is better.

[shaggymatt]

WTF are you guys talking about? Lingerie modeling, what lens? Sorry but I'm calling 100mm macro, because I sure don't want to be far from the action! ;)

In all seriousness though I'd look at the Sigma 50/1.4. The 85 on a crop is going to be too tight if you're looking for full body shots.

[beauch1322]

I have heard that the 70-200mm L canon series are great for portrait but I am not sure if you would get the whole body at 70mm...

But hey canon has a great deal on the ef 50 1.8 for around 70-100 bucks.....

[shaggymatt]

I have heard that the 70-200mm L canon series are great for portrait but I am not sure if you would get the whole body at 70mm...

Depends on how much room you have to work with. I'm guessing that this will be indoors given it is lingerie modeling and alaska. he he

I used my 70-200 in a Natural lighting class this past weekend and got some fabulous images. Both full body and head shots.

[JasonRussell]

70-200 is a great lens for portraits. Any of the 4 models will get the job done, but will be too long on a crop body.

[JerelXTI]

You have the 18-55, so why don't YOU try taking some pictures at 30mm and 50mm and see what YOU like :)


Now there we go. I was thinking what's the differance? Bear with me all I'm trying to learn. If i have a 18-55 do i really need to get the 30mm or 50mm because my 18-55mm lens covers that. I know most of you have shot Portrait style shots. So i'm leaning hard on Yall :D.

If you have any info on a good starter light set kit please let me know.

[JasonRussell]

Because alot of time you will want a faster lens for portraits. something in the 1.4-2.8 range that the kit lens doesnt offer.

[egordon99]

The difference is you'll be able to shoot at a wider aperture with the primes. But BEFORE you buy a prime, you can figure out what type of shots you could get at 30mm and 50mm by shooting your kit lens at those focal lengths.

Now there we go. I was thinking what's the differance? Bear with me all I'm trying to learn. If i have a 18-55 do i really need to get the 30mm or 50mm because my 18-55mm lens covers that. I know most of you have shot Portrait style shots. So i'm leaning hard on Yall :D.

If you have any info on a good starter light set kit please let me know.

[JerelXTI]

Ok I get it now. Thanks. I did not figure in the F stop. Now I just need to make sure that what ever I purchase now for my Rebel XTI will work when I upgrade to a full frame Canon camera.

[JasonRussell]

In that case look for any EF lens, not EF-s

[RDKirk]

When I return to the states I'll be purchasing 2 studio lights and a backdrop. The main reason I want to shoot portraits is my wife is thinking about modeling for a online lingerie shop.

For that task with a crop camera, I would get either:

The Sigma 30mm, the Canon 50mm f/1.4, the Canon 85mm f/1.8., and the Canon 135mm f/1.8 if you really prefer primes

or

The Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 and the Canon 20-200 IS f/2.8 if you prefer zooms.

[Mr. Clean]

So a 30 or 50mm would work better? More than likely my subject will be about 5 to6 feet away from me. Will a 30mm be able to get afull body shot?
You've got the 18-55 kit lens, try the focal length that works for you in the space you have. That will help narrow your choice down plus you might be suprised on what focal length you need.
The Sigma 30mm 1.4, canon 50mm 1.4, canon 85mm 1.8, 135 etc. etc. are all great. It just depends on how you need or want to use them.

[derick]

ef 100mm /f2.8 macro or ef 50mm/f1.4.

[EagleRock]

Ef 50mm/f1.4 is a great lens for crop body camera :)

[mbell75]

The 50 f/1.8 can be had for under $100 and is excellent for shooting portraits. Start there.

[philmar]

The 50 f/1.8 can be had for under $100 and is excellent for shooting portraits. Start there.


I love this lens - the nifty fifty. Recommend it to all noobs.

[fotofun]

I love this lens - the nifty fifty. Recommend it to all noobs.
totally agree, cool stuff for beginners! not heavy, small.
after some hundreds portraits you will definitely know what do you what for future.

[Chris215]

+1 for nifty fifty great portrait lens

[Tony-S]

I think this image really shows why the 50mm f/1.8 isn't so great - they funky highlights in the background. Don't get me wrong, for the money it's a great beginner lens, but for serious work this lens shouldn't be in the bag.

+1 for nifty fifty great portrait lens:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3370/3552215675_5dfebc941c.jpg

[Goshawk]

You know a good lens is forever. If you plan on upgrading your body why not save a bit and go for good glass. You might upgrade your body again but the glass will stay, you do not want a lens that in a year or so is going to end up never being used.
All rounder studio workhorse lenses is the 24-105 and the 24-70. They are both L lenses and is a bit expensive but is very good glass.
There is a lot of superb lenses for studio work but not all are all rounders. You get some great primes but it is personal choice. Example a 35 will be great for body shots but to get head shots you will have to stick the cam in your models face(they do not like it).
Then a 135 will be great for head shots but to get a body shot inside a studio will not be possible. A 85 might work if your studio is large enough for foot zoom.

[JerelXTI]

Well I ordered a 50mm F/1.8 on the 2nd of July of ebay. I received it here in Iraq on the 9th of july. That was fast. i took afew pictures of myself useing my remote and I love the len. When i get off shift today I'll go around my Chu taking a few more pictures to learn what this len can do. I think this will be alot of fun

[sry407]

If you're still looking for a second lens that's shorter, keep the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 in mind. If you want to go longer, pick up the Canon 85mm f/1.8.

Congrats on your purchase, and get home to do that shoot!!!

[Kenny6007]

i have a 50d and i just picked up a 28mm f/1.8 but i wanted a little wider and the extra stop and ended up buying a 24mm f/1.4L, i'm also planning on pairing it up with a 50mm f/1.4 but at the moment i'm pretty torn in whether or not i should splurge for a 50mm f/1.2L since i don't know if the difference is worth 3x as much. i still need to get a 24-70 too =P

[dennisoralls]

Yeah I have the 85 1.8 on my xti. If you have a big room no problem, but Ive had difficulty using it indoors. Otherwise its a great sharp lense!!

No problem, shoot outdoors :). It'll make the lingere shots that much more risque

[JerelXTI]

Thanks everyone. I took a few test shots with my 50mm and I love it. Looks like I'l need to get maybe a 24mm to be able to do ful body shots or should I look at a different lens. remember I shooting with a Rebel XTI. I'd like to purchase it and have it shipped home because I only have about 45 days left over here in Iraq.

[egordon99]

Thanks everyone. I took a few test shots with my 50mm and I love it. Looks like I'l need to get maybe a 24mm to be able to do ful body shots or should I look at a different lens. remember I shooting with a Rebel XTI. I'd like to purchase it and have it shipped home because I only have about 45 days left over here in Iraq.

Set your kit lens to 30mm. If that's wide enough for you to shoot full body shots, buy the Sigma 30mm f/1.4. It's an AWESEOME lens!

[Paul Li]

The 50 f1.8 is probably the best portrait lens I've used, but my favorite portrait has actually been from my kit lens...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3677715226_f50191fe39.jpg

[Helen Bartlett]

I love my 50mm and use it for most of my portraits. I have the 1.2 which is just beautiful but I would get the best you can afford at this stage, the 1.8 and the 1.4 are both great lenses