Best Lenses for portrait/people photography?

shauna · 27th of March 2009 (Fri)

Hey there,

HAPPY FRIDAY peeps!

Just curious what you think is the ideal lens for portrait/ people photography is for work inside and out of the studio.

Thanks - Have a fab weekend!

breathless · 27th of March 2009 (Fri)

Generally speaking, a slight telephoto is preferred for portraits. Using a full-frame body, a 65mm to 135mm lens would be ideal when considering perspective and comfortable working distance. All of the popular camera/lens manufacturers will have nice portrait lenses in the above range.

mblanton · 27th of March 2009 (Fri)

Quote:

Originally Posted by shauna

what you think is the ideal lens for portrait/ people photography is for work inside and out of the studio.

Selecting a lens for portrait work would depend on the size of your studio and what camera body your shooting. My favorites are the 85mm and 105mm primes...both are excellent choices and generally yield superior results. When shooting outdoors I tend to select longer focal lengths...135mm and 300mm. The key is finding the lens that best fits your style of photography.

[godfather] · 28th of March 2009 (Sat)

50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8 or 1.2, 135mm L, 200mm etc.

chris78cpr · 29th of March 2009 (Sun)

I love my 70-200F2.8 and also my 85F1.8.

Chris

cbbplanet · 30th of March 2009 (Mon)

50mm f/1.4 is best for a face shot, but go for the cheaper one f/1.8 since it gives you similar performances.

trip9 · 15th of April 2009 (Wed)

If money isn't an issue, I'd say most people would go with either a 50L, 85L, or 135L depending on how tight you want the portrait to be.

Helen Bartlett · 16th of April 2009 (Thu)

I use a 50mm 1.2 most of the time, it is a wonderful lens, fast, sharp and light. The 85mm 1.2 is magic but can be too long if you are shooting indoors in people's homes rather than a studio when sometimes there isn't much room. I love it when there is space though or when I am outside.

The 70-200 is also great outdoors but it is heavy so, depending on how strong you are, that might or might not be a good purchase. I have one but only use it occasionally as I find it too heavy to carry around every day (but I am small and not desperately strong).

The crop factor on your camera will be another thing to think about if you are shooting in confined spaces. When I used a 1.6x crop camera I used the 35 1.4 a lot when shooting indoors.

If I was getting one lens though it would be the 50 every time and you can then shop according to your budget and get the best you can afford.

slimninj4 · 22nd of April 2009 (Wed)

I use the 70-200mm 4L for most close ups. I do like the 85mm 1.8 and looking to get a 100mm macro for close up makeup shots but out of stock every where.

CyberDyneSystems · 22nd of April 2009 (Wed)

Primes:
85mm and 135mm
Zooms, 24-70mm or 70-200mm

27th of March 2009 (Fri)	#1
shauna Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1	Best Lenses for portrait/people photography? Hey there, HAPPY FRIDAY peeps! Just curious what you think is the ideal lens for portrait/ people photography is for work inside and out of the studio. Thanks - Have a fab weekend!

27th of March 2009 (Fri)	#2
breathless Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 388	Re: Best Lenses for portrait/people photography? Generally speaking, a slight telephoto is preferred for portraits. Using a full-frame body, a 65mm to 135mm lens would be ideal when considering perspective and comfortable working distance. All of the popular camera/lens manufacturers will have nice portrait lenses in the above range. __________________ Chris Photographer, lover. website \| facebook

28th of March 2009 (Sat)	#4
[godfather] User is banned from forums Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,736	Re: Best Lenses for portrait/people photography? 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8 or 1.2, 135mm L, 200mm etc.

29th of March 2009 (Sun)	#5
chris78cpr Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: London - UK Posts: 585	Re: Best Lenses for portrait/people photography? I love my 70-200F2.8 and also my 85F1.8. Chris __________________ Canon 5dmkii \| 7d \| Canon 1dmkii \| Canon 400D \| Canon 10D \| Canon 1VHS \| Canon Eos 3 \| 17-40F4L \| 24-105F4LIS \| 70-200F2.8LIS \| 100-400LIS \| 15F2.8 \| 20F1.8EX \| 50F1.4 \| 85F1.8 \| 100F2.8 Macro \| 2 x 550EX \| 1.4xII Hasselblad 500CM \| 80mm F2.8 CFE \| A12 back \| WLF

30th of March 2009 (Mon)	#6
cbbplanet Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 20	Re: Best Lenses for portrait/people photography? 50mm f/1.4 is best for a face shot, but go for the cheaper one f/1.8 since it gives you similar performances.

15th of April 2009 (Wed)	#7
trip9 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 103 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Lenses for portrait/people photography? If money isn't an issue, I'd say most people would go with either a 50L, 85L, or 135L depending on how tight you want the portrait to be. __________________ Canon EOS 6D \| 17-40mm f/4L \| 50mm f/1.4 http://www.audiesumaray.com flickr

16th of April 2009 (Thu)	#8
Helen Bartlett Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: London and Cambridge UK Posts: 48	Re: Best Lenses for portrait/people photography? I use a 50mm 1.2 most of the time, it is a wonderful lens, fast, sharp and light. The 85mm 1.2 is magic but can be too long if you are shooting indoors in people's homes rather than a studio when sometimes there isn't much room. I love it when there is space though or when I am outside. The 70-200 is also great outdoors but it is heavy so, depending on how strong you are, that might or might not be a good purchase. I have one but only use it occasionally as I find it too heavy to carry around every day (but I am small and not desperately strong). The crop factor on your camera will be another thing to think about if you are shooting in confined spaces. When I used a 1.6x crop camera I used the 35 1.4 a lot when shooting indoors. If I was getting one lens though it would be the 50 every time and you can then shop according to your budget and get the best you can afford. __________________ Children's portrait photography by Helen Bartlett Children's portrait photography seminars

22nd of April 2009 (Wed)	#9
slimninj4 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,120 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Lenses for portrait/people photography? I use the 70-200mm 4L for most close ups. I do like the 85mm 1.8 and looking to get a 100mm macro for close up makeup shots but out of stock every where. __________________ Canon 40D 5Dm3 \|\| 24-70 L 70-200 2.8 IS2 100mm Macro 50mm 1.8 35 1.4

22nd of April 2009 (Wed)	#10
CyberDyneSystems Wait, all that time and all I get is "Cream of the Damn Crop" ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Providence RI Posts: 37,406 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Lenses for portrait/people photography? Primes: 85mm and 135mm Zooms, 24-70mm or 70-200mm __________________ GEAR LIST CDS' HOT LINKS My POTN Share Threads Jake Hegnauer Photography

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