Do I need a diffrent lens for portraits?

Hi guys and gals,

I am going to be doing all the photography for our company's new website. One of the things that our owner would like to have are portrait shots of all the employes for their bios. So my question is, should I add a new lens to my kit for portraits? My reasoning is that it seems like everyone always suggest a long fast lens for portraits. I have the following:

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM

So what would you guys use? I am thinking of picking up a 100mm f/2.8 Macro as I would really like it for shooting insects not just the portrait shoot, or I am also thinking a 85mm f/1.8 for the faster speed for better background isolation. I have not interest in te 50mm f/1.8 I already had this lense and was totally unimpressed with it.

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

Juan

Your 60mm is a pretty good portrait lens, if you don't want to buy anything new. I would start with that.

With studio lights, the 15-85 makes a very good portrait lens, where you stop down to f8 or so, otherwise, the 60mm macro is an excellent portrait lens when you need f2.8. Of course, the 70-200 f4 would work as well if you have the room. Not sure why you are looking for a portrait lens or another macro for that matter. The 85 makes a very nice portrait lens, but you need to watch out for purple fringing.

for head shots, your 70-200mm will do just fine, put it on a tripod, setup your background, lights and a chair to sit at (optional) or could be standing. Meter it, set to manual and you are good to go.

Any of the lenses you have will do the job described very well. What will make or break it is lighting and composition, including distances from camera to subject, and subject to background.

Sounds like you are all set when it comes to lenses...

You didn't ask, but I'd tell the owner I'm taking a vacation day from my regular job and that my day rate is $1600 while shooting the photos. In additiona, image usage licensing is $150 per for three years use on a commercial website... maybe a little less if there are a lot of shots.

70-200 F4 non IS works for me; Here is my first attempt at a professional portrait for a friend: one backlight, one flash/umbrella on right, and a reflector on the left:

http://pstanfield.smug​mug.com …94_iKmYu#118812​6943_tqQvX

I'm sure I could do better with practice.....

Your 60mm lens is a perfect FL for use on APS-C body, to shoot head and shoulders portraits at a very nice 7-8' shooting distance from your subject.

Actually any of your lenses can do the job... However, maybe you can get your boss to buy you a 70-200mm ff/4L IS lens to replace your f/4L non-IS.

It is more versatile, more fun to use and will produce "slightly" better portraits because of the increased smoothness of the bokeh produced by the rounded aperture blades incorporated into the f/4L IS lens.

What's wrong your any of your lenses? I'd go with the 70-200 or the 60 macro, but even the 15-85 will work.

The EF-S 60 is a damned fine portrait lens. You best be practicing lighting and posing. The lens is covered.

i'd probably go for the 60mm.

depends if it's environmental or studio type shots i guess.

For corporate portraits that should be formal, conventional and not particularly artistic any of the lenses you have will do. I'd go with the 60mm or with the 70-200. Focus on getting good lighting instead.

You have the lenses, you need just the light & accessories...

Titi

60 for sure. Primes all the way for portraits.