Which Lens for Portraits?

+1 for the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro

I have a 40D, Tammy 17-50, Canon 50 and 85 1.8's, and I just purchased the 60 macro last month as the 85 was too long for portraits AND gives you a true 1:1 macro ability.

Some say that it can be TOO sharp for some portraiture, but I'd rather capture as much detail as possible for the shot and soften/retouch as needed in PP.

Here's a macro shot I took a couple of weeks ago, just messing around really. I didn't purchase primarily for Macro, but the fact that I now have a macro lens has opened a whole new world.

Good luck!

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If your on a really tight budget you could purchase the 50mm f1.8 and the Canon 12 Extension Tube II it gives a near true macro effect

85 1.8 or the 85L has my vote. But with your diopter factor the 50 will be excellent for you!

Doobsy wrote in post #6098917
Hi,
New to DSLR photography and LOVING my 40D with the 17-85mm IS USM.
Birthday is coming up next month and not sure which to ask for...
I'm looking to get into some portraiture and I was wanting some experienced advice on a good lens please.
Something that would be great for portraits and double up as a decent macro.
The (obvious) choices are;
1. Nifty 50 f/1.8
2. 50mm f/2.5
3. 50mm f/1.4 USM or
go for something like the EF100 f/2.8 USM...

My thinking for progression of building the kit is get #1 first, work out the nuances between that and my 17-85 and then maybe go for the EF100 later.
Or maybe I'm way off...
Comments / advice much appreciated.
Cheers!

no flash? you wont maximize all of these lenses without a good lighting.

50mm F1.8 on my canon, 150mm F4 on my hasselblad, and 180mm on my mamiya.
Nick

I would say using anything over 50mm can be tricky for indoor portraits. It' easier to get closer to your subject than walk away from them, at least inside a confined space.

I'd get a Nifty, an extension tube, and save money for a decent flash - it makes lots of difference when shoting portraits. If you can, go for 50/1.4 (I heard it's got faster AF), I also heard Sigma 30/1.4 was good. 85/2.8 may be a great portrait lens, from what I heard, but it could cause some lost shots, being too long for some situations.

Why don't you try leaving your lens at 85mm, and see how comfortable you are doing portraits at that setting ?

Thanks everyone for your input (and indulging a noob before he did enough searching...).

I'm going to start with the prime and play with my 17-85 and get a decent flash (which I hadn't thoughtabout really...).

Hopefully will come away with some nice shots from Kiama and my niece's 1st party and get some C&C.

Thanks again guys, great forum.

85mm 1.8 for mostly portraits.
100mm 2.8 for mostly macro. It works good for portraits. SUPER sharp shots, almost a little to sharp for portraits the last time I used mine and it's a little long on a crop body.

I like the EF 800mm with all three kenko DG Extension tubes and a 1.4 and 2x Tc stacked.



I havnt done any professional portraits but I really like my 50mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.4 is even better offering better bokeh because of the 8 aperture blades instead of the 5 in the 1.8, also better optics

I hear LOTS of people raving about the 85L

-Eric-

I know it's a little long but the 100mm 2.8 macro is just awesome. I've been gtting great results with it and my 400D..

Me and Vince V have all the same gear Strange

I actually sold my 60mm EFS, it just never seemed to suit the situation.

The 85mm f1.8 on the other hand.... just amazing. So too the Tamron 17-50 F2.8.