6D: What portraiture prime combo?

deanedward wrote in post #16566092
consider the 100mm f/2 USM that gives you a bit of difference from the 50.

i mean, if people recommend the 35/85 combo, also consider the 50/100 combo.

I use the 50/100 combo and it's great.

genjurok wrote in post #16566342
I use the 50/100 combo and it's great.

The 100 f/2? How do you find it indoors?

chubbyone wrote in post #16566350
The 100 f/2? How do you find it indoors?

I rarely use it indoor because it's a bit too long. Most of time the 50mm is used for that purpose. The way I use 100mm is pretty much the same way as 135mm.

genjurok wrote in post #16566385
I rarely use it indoor because it's a bit too long. Most of time the 50mm is used for that purpose. The way I use 100mm is pretty much the same way as 135mm.

Good to know, and my worry...

I find the 50 to distort just a bit (LR does fix this easily enough) and not compress quite as much as I want. I loved it on crop, hence my strong interest in the 85 for FF.

Go with an 85, price point is good and gives you time to better perfect your craft before going bigger.

be a hipster and get the 100/2 because the 85/1.8 is too mainstream :P

Boone13 wrote in post #16566418
Go with an 85, price point is good and gives you time to better perfect your craft before going bigger.

Agreed.

deanedward wrote in post #16566426
be a hipster and get the 100/2 because the 85/1.8 is too mainstream :P

I do have a bicycle and a chrome messenger bag.

::begins to grow out beard::

A longer focal length is better provided you have the space both camera to subject and subject to background. So it depends on what you have.

Lowner wrote in post #16566438
A longer focal length is better provided you have the space both camera to subject and subject to background. So it depends on what you have.

I think that's where my space does limit me, I want something 100 or longer, but am limited to ~85 at the moment.

Keep the 50/1.4. Not really a portrait lens, per se. But it can be useful for "looser" portraits, for couples or small groupd, for full length portraits in tighter spaces. You have to be careful to not get too close with it.

Get an 85/1.8 now. It's more of a portrait lens and reasonably affordable. Can be used for everything, as long as you have adequate working space. On full frame it will put you a little close for tight portraits and candids, but other than that it's an all-arounder.

Start saving towards a 135/2L. Eventually you are going to want it. On a full frame camera such as the 6D it's one of the finest portrait lenses Canon makes.

You could opt for a 100/2 instead of the 85mm and 135mm.

Thanks again everyone for the suggestions! Just ordered the 85, and will likely see the 35 arrive by the end of the month. I'll try and post my thoughts here once I have some shots taken.

I much preferred the 24mm to the 35mm, on both Crop and FF. Distortion corrected. I recently got the 40mm stm and enjoy the fact that it weights nothing.
I carry the 24L and 40mm now quite happily together.

For portraits I find the wider angles produce ugly images with clearly distorted faces, noses in particular. I much prefer the more natural looking results from longer focal lengths.

28mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8 would be a wide and effective combo. (personal suggestion)
Keep the 50mm while testing this. Then decide to sell or return the one you reach for the least.

I have the 28 2.8 IS on my 6d usually. Never miss a thing in any light. If I want to shoot a portrait I put on the 85 1.8. Both are lite and inexpensive, so I dont suffer any anxiety if the kids take a shot with either. So I would go with option 1.