need lense

I need to get a lense for my 30d. I have a 28-135mm canon ultrasonic. Id like something for portraits outdoors. Im very new and need much practice, so nothing to $$, but something good. Any help Please!

It seems to me that's a good range for a portrait lens. Just don't use the wide angle end (unless you like big noses!). Actually, on the 30D, 28 mm isn't really a wide angle anyway.

I'd say you can use what you have... Especially outdoors. If you want a prime lens... The nifty fifty (50mm f/1.8 ) would be a good choice... And the price is very nice

joedlh wrote in post #5858911
It seems to me that's a good range for a portrait lens. Just don't use the wide angle end (unless you like big noses!). Actually, on the 30D, 28 mm isn't really a wide angle anyway.

Wide angle end? Again new!! I can use more than one end of the lense? I'm slowwwwww!

we photographers refer to the wide end and the end where you get the widest field of view. AYour lens at 28mm will be much wider (you will be able to include more in your frame) than at 135mm. The lesser the number, the wider the FOV (field of view). To answer your question, yes. I don't know if you know this, but your lens can zoom from 28mm to 135mm. That means you can set your lens at any focal length in between and including those numbers. Hope this kind of helps.

oh makes sense. Thanks for the explination.

28 mm would be the wide angle end of the focal length range.

Yes you have all the range you need to practice portraits outside. A good place to start would be as follows. Set your lens at between 60-70mm. Set the Av setting on your camera dial and with your index finger turn the little wheel near the shutter button. You'll see the numbers change. Use a number that is a couple of clicks higher than the lowest one possible. You will be controlling the depth of the zone that is in focus. Practice with the different numbers and see what looks best to you. Hope this gives you a starting point.

LordAlex wrote in post #5864596
Yes you have all the range you need to practice portraits outside. A good place to start would be as follows. Set your lens at between 60-70mm. Set the Av setting on your camera dial and with your index finger turn the little wheel near the shutter button. You'll see the numbers change. Use a number that is a couple of clicks higher than the lowest one possible. You will be controlling the depth of the zone that is in focus. Practice with the different numbers and see what looks best to you. Hope this gives you a starting point.

Thanks yes it helped