Lens for full length portraits

[weka2000]

I have been using a 50mm f1.8 however our room is to small to obtain a full lenght body shot. I have a 18-55mm but the quality is rubbish.

What would be a good lense. I was thinking of a 35mm prime, I dont want any facial distorition. The pictures need to be sharp.

What do other people use?

[Andy_T]

I'm quite happy with my Sigma 30/1.4 EX DC.
Center sharpness is very good, corner sharpness might be better (it's a DC lens), and it's a very fast lens.

You can see a test of the lens here: http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/len...0_14/index.htm

This is a test of the Canon EF 28/1.8, which most likely is the closest competitor of that lens from Canon's lineup (the 35/1.4 L being several times more expensive): http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/len...8_18/index.htm


Best regards,
Andy

[SkipD]

Since you have a lens that probably includes the focal length that would suit you best, why not try it and find that "magic" focal length. Then look at available lenses (or ask about what is good) for that focal length - if it's a prime that you are after.

I'm very happy with my set of three Canon L zooms (16-35 f2.8, 24-70 f2.8, and 70-200 f2.8 IS, all used on a 20D) for just about any work I would want to do, including portraiture. They are very pricey, of course, but I'm past that hurdle.....

[weka2000]

Portraits / full length body shots in a smallish room. What is the 16-35mm like? How sharp? I still have to allow a 1.6 croping factor which then makes it a 25-56mm.

My only concern is that there will be no distortion to the face, but as I am shooting the whole person and not just their face / shoulders I assume there wont be that effect to the face.

[tim]

I like my 70-200 IS, you just need a bit of room to use it.

[SkipD]

Originally Posted by weka2000

Portraits / full length body shots in a smallish room. What is the 16-35mm like? How sharp? I still have to allow a 1.6 croping factor which then makes it a 25-56mm.

What distance do you have from camera to subject? So far, you haven't given anyone any details from which to draw a conclusion.

I will repeat my suggestion to try your lens and find an appropriate focal length. That would help others to test the same setup (using focal length and distance values from you) and give you some decent feedback.

If you need a lens shorter than about 31mm, I would expect to see some "distortion" because of the perspective caused by being close to the subject. The 31mm lens is a "normal" lens for your camera. You usually don't want to go to wide angle for portraits.

[duaflexIV]

Originally Posted by weka2000

... I dont want any facial distorition.

28mm to 35mm would be right on. With a 1.6 crop format as the 20D, that is.

[Joe R]

On a 1.6x crop camera the 24-70/2.8L is an extremely versatile studio lens for full length shots.

[Sailare]

find another room and save some money.

[KevC]

35mm f/2 =)

[rdenney]

Originally Posted by weka2000

I have been using a 50mm f1.8 however our room is to small to obtain a full lenght body shot. I have a 18-55mm but the quality is rubbish.

What would be a good lense. I was thinking of a 35mm prime, I dont want any facial distorition. The pictures need to be sharp.

What do other people use?

A 35 prime would be perfect if short enough. 35 is still a little longer than normal in the APS-C format, and you will not get anything resembling wide-angle rectilinear distortion with it. Even on the full frame, 35 isn't really wide enough to cause those sorts of problems.

The 30 recommended by someone else would work fine, too.

I routinely use lenses in the normal focal range, or slightly longer, for full-length portraits, particularly at weddings where quarters are often cramped. Both the 30 and the 35 fall into this range, and both are more than sharp enough for group portraits, at least in cases where the digital camera is sharp enough. Usually for full-length portraits, getting a real blurry background isn't an option (if you had room to move away from the background, you'd have room for a longer lens), so bokeh isn't the issue in this application as it would be for closeups.

Rick "who uses a 20-35 USM zoom for this work on the 10D, but who usually does this in medium format" Denney

[Visuals]

Originally Posted by Andythaler

I'm quite happy with my Sigma 30/1.4 EX DC.
Center sharpness is very good, corner sharpness might be better (it's a DC lens), and it's a very fast lens.

You can see a test of the lens here: http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/len...0_14/index.htm

This is a test of the Canon EF 28/1.8, which most likely is the closest competitor of that lens from Canon's lineup (the 35/1.4 L being several times more expensive): http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/len...8_18/index.htm


Best regards,
Andy

Another vote for the Sigma 30mm 1.4.. Very Nice Lens.. Strong like a small brick. sharp images on my 20D

Cheers
Visuals~

[weka2000]

Followed the sujestion of using my 18-55mm and different focal lengths, seems for the size of the rooms the best is a 28mm.

I would like a "L" lense but cant afford. Still have to get 2x580EX flash units and the ST-3 wireless so looks like a Canon 28 F2.8, as I have the 50 F1.8

[grego]

35mm f/1.4L is a sweet lens. Expensive and hard to find, but worth it, if you get it.

[weka2000]

Did another run last night and yes its a 28mm but is it the cheap one or the expesive one.....