40d for portraits ???

Here is the question , is a 40d adequate for portrait work ? I'm going to be shooting a seinor portrait and have been thinking about a new lens or maybe a 5d2 . Right now I have a 70-200 2.8L and a tamron 17-50. I've been looking at a 24-70L , 24-105L , and 85 1.8 . Over all I've been somewhat dissapointed with my results with the 40d as compaired to my old xti . I can upgrade to a 5d2 but I'm pretty much going to have to live with my lens line up for awhile if I go that route. I know you can never go wrong with glass but the full frame IQ is really tempting . Suggestions

If the only thing you shoot is portraits, it might be worthwhile to pick up a full frame, if only because of clean high ISOs and greater depth of field. However, the 40D should be fine, and it seems that you just need a better portrait lens. A fast 50mm/35mm prime would probably be best for you.

crman wrote in post #8588010
Here is the question , is a 40d adequate for portrait work ? I'm going to be shooting a seinor portrait and have been thinking about a new lens or maybe a 5d2 . Right now I have a 70-200 2.8L and a tamron 17-50. I've been looking at a 24-70L , 24-105L , and 85 1.8 . Over all I've been somewhat dissapointed with my results with the 40d as compaired to my old xti . I can upgrade to a 5d2 but I'm pretty much going to have to live with my lens line up for awhile if I go that route. I know you can never go wrong with glass but the full frame IQ is really tempting . Suggestions

One of the nicest things about a 40D is that you can use it for any situation from sports, wildlife, landscapes and portraits.

A 70-200 on a 40D for portraits is awesome. If you can't get outstanding portraits out of that combo, the I'd say it's down to technique. Spend the money on lights and modifiers. For that matter, at the f/stops you will be shooting at under correct lighting, your 28-135 would do well.

ingraman wrote in post #8588059
If the only thing you shoot is portraits, it might be worthwhile to pick up a full frame, if only because of clean high ISOs and greater depth of field. However, the 40D should be fine, and it seems that you just need a better portrait lens. A fast 50mm/35mm prime would probably be best for you.

I've been doing alot of band shoots in mostly small clubs which has had me looking at the d700 but I"ve decided I dont want to switch . The auto focus on the 5d2 concerns me ; I dont want a down grade in auto focus .

Canon 40D will certainly suffice for portrait photography.

I went back and read your original post again, and if you are just going to shoot one senior, and you think you need a different lens or body to shoot it, why not rent it ? Would be a lot cheaper than buying something for one shoot.

george m w wrote in post #8588170
I went back and read your original post again, and if you are just going to shoot one senior, and you think you need a different lens or body to shoot it, why not rent it ? Would be a lot cheaper than buying something for one shoot.

I thought about renting a lens to try it out if nothing else but I've got the ich to buy something and the portrait shoot is a good excuse!!! Although I havent done many portraits its something I see myself moving into . I cant see doing weddings, to much drama.....

If you are thinking head/shoulder shots, consider the Canon 85mm f/1.8. It's a little on the long side on a cropper for full body shots, but it's cool for in tight head shots, and it has a really nice bokeh. IMO, an excellent value.
However, having said that, I defer to my original comment about getting your lighting situation covered.

I used the 40D for countless portraits in Iraq. I paired it with a 17-55 USM IS, and it did great for me. Though...I really love the quality/iso performance of my 5DmII.

I'd say err I dunno wait to say! GOOD LUCK xD

Here's an portrait I did last year . I was never really totaly happy with how it turned out . Shot with a 70-200 2.8L and the 40d.....

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40D is more than adequate for portraits. So is the 30D, and 20D, and Rebel series. The key is lighting, background, posing, etc., not so much the camera.

you at a minimum need some fill lighting from reflector or flash like the 430/580 series flashes

light in the pic is very directional and harsh - wouldn't hurt to post process and warm it a bit too

look at lighting in the potn glamor/nude area to see how they light subjects to get some ideas

Any camera in the EOS line is capabe of taking outstanding portraits. The 40D would be near the top of the list.

p32shooter wrote in post #8588317
you at a minimum need some fill lighting from reflector or flash like the 430/580 series flashes

light in the pic is very directional and harsh - wouldn't hurt to post process and warm it a bit too

look at lighting in the potn glamor/nude area to see how they light subjects to get some ideas

Thanks for the comments . This is a pretty much un edited copy to show what I was getting right out of the camera..... A reflector would have helped alot....