6D: What portraiture prime combo?

OK, I'll try and keep this short and to the point. My main goals are kids/family portraiture. No weddings, no sports. I don't have a dedicated studio space, but I do have a backdrop stand, flash stand, shoot-thru umbrella, and the space to setup when needed.

I have a Canon 6D, EF 50 1.4, and one Yongnuo 560iii w/ trigger

I am on a budget somewhat, and still learning my "style", so I can't justify L glass at this time; so I am considering the following options:

1. Sell 50, get 35 F2 IS and 85 1.8 **I'm leaning towards this choice**

2. Keep 50, add Canon 100 2.8 macro

3. Keep 50 add 85 1.8 (though I feel these are too close)

4. Keep the 50 and add more quality light and modifiers instead of glass


What would you do? I am just starting taking pictures for other people, I have done a few newborn shoots and a couple family's. I am not trying to pay my bills but I am taking this seriously and want to continue to improve.

Thanks in advance!

85-135mm are considered by many to be the"sweet spot" for portraits. I would start with the 85mm 1.8. There is no reason to sell your 50 at this point- used it is worth $75-100. Keep it for larger groups when don't have enough room to back up.

I feel like 1, 2, and 3 are all really good choices. I personally LOVE my 35 f/2 IS and 85 f/1.8, so that would be my first choice.

Qlayer2 wrote in post #16565118
85-135mm are considered by many to be the"sweet spot" for portraits. I would start with the 85mm 1.8. There is no reason to sell your 50 at this point- used it is worth $75-100. Keep it for larger groups when don't have enough room to back up.

50 f/1.4 goes for $75-$100 used? Wow, I need to keep an eye out in the Selling forum!

The 100/2.8 being a macro lens is razor sharp, I feel too much so for predominant portrait work as it brings to surface any skin imperfections. 85/1.8 is a beautiful lens for the price, and the (almost) two full stops will allow for some stunning focus separations.

shedberg wrote in post #16565128
50 f/1.4 goes for $75-$100 used? Wow, I need to keep an eye out in the Selling forum!

don't know why- thought he said 50 1.8. that's what I get for reading on the phone...

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

As far as the 50 1.4 for $100, I think he means the 1.8. I would value a pristine 50 1.4 between 250-275 used.

^^ haha yea you beat me to it.

35/85 is a great set-up for a 6D.

chubbyone wrote in post #16565098
My main goals are kids/family portraiture ... I do have a backdrop stand, flash stand, shoot-thru umbrella, and the space to setup when needed.

I have a Canon 6D, EF 50 1.4, and one Yongnuo 560iii w/ trigger

...I can't justify L glass at this time; so I am considering the following options:

1. Sell 50, get 35 F2 IS and 85 1.8 **I'm leaning towards this choice**

Nope. 35 isn't going to be much use on FF for portraiture, although the 85/1.8 is well respected if you don't get into purple fringing territory.

Plausible - do you want to do macro? The sharpness of the 100 can be detrimental in portraiture though, not that you can't add a bit of blur in post processing if needed.

Nope - as you say - too close, especially since you could crop quite a bit with the 6D.

Maybe add another stand, flash, umbrella or similar and trigger, but that shouldn't be a huge expense, especially with Yongnuo.

How about going for a 135, maybe the 135/2.8 soft focus. It could be too long, but that would depend on your space and style.

Or take the 100/2.8 route, especially if you feel the call of macro.
Or, how about a 70-200? You might even find a used 70-200/4L non-IS within your budget. Lack of IS isn't a biggie for studio portraiture, and f/4 may give you as shallow a depth of field as you need with a 6D. Or look at the Tamron 2.8 if you want one eye-lash in focus. Not sure on pricing though.

chubbyone wrote in post #16565098
OK, I'll try and keep this short and to the point. My main goals are kids/family portraiture. No weddings, no sports. I don't have a dedicated studio space, but I do have a backdrop stand, flash stand, shoot-thru umbrella, and the space to setup when needed.

I have a Canon 6D, EF 50 1.4, and one Yongnuo 560iii w/ trigger

I am on a budget somewhat, and still learning my "style", so I can't justify L glass at this time; so I am considering the following options:

1. Sell 50, get 35 F2 IS and 85 1.8 **I'm leaning towards this choice**

2. Keep 50, add Canon 100 2.8 macro


3. Keep 50 add 85 1.8 (though I feel these are too close)

4. Keep the 50 and add more quality light and modifiers instead of glass


What would you do? I am just starting taking pictures for other people, I have done a few newborn shoots and a couple family's. I am not trying to pay my bills but I am taking this seriously and want to continue to improve.

Thanks in advance!

no sports, no weddings-Zeiss Ze 1.4/85 mm from 3.2 super sharp

Keep the 50 and buy the 85mil 1.8 and save for the 35 iS

I'm shooting with a 6D and my go to combo for pretty much everything recently has been my 35 and 85. I use the 35 for portraits all the time, great for full body shots. Unless I'm shooting video I almost never put anything else into my bag.

Heya,

I would get longer focal length, like 85mm to 200mm. More distance, with wide aperture, more pop.

EF 85mm F1.8 $300ish
Rokinon 85mm F1.4 $250ish
Tamron 90mm F2.8 $450ish
EF 100mm F2.0 $350ish
EF 100mm F2.8 $500ish
EF 200mm F2.8L II $750ish ($650ish used)
EF 70-200mm F4L $700ish ($500ish used)

Very best,

I love my 100mm f/2 on full frame.

For indoors in small space 50mm would work. For outdoors get something longer. 85mm f1.8 is very nice. Haven't used 100mm f2 but hear good things about it. If budget is tight then stay with one camera and get more modifiers, backup triggers etc.