Portrait Lens / Camera

Hi everyone,

I hope you can help. I am new here and have a LOT to learn. I am about to buy my first DSLR and am pretty sure it will be the Canon 20D. I am VERY confused about which kind of lens I need.

I am going to be doing portrait work of pregnancy, newborns, babies, wiggly toddlers and possibly some family photos. I would like the versatility of working in a home studio using natural light that comes beautifully in through my windows, going to someone else's home where the lighting will be out of my control, and also outdoor work. I need a lens that is quick to catch the motion of wiggly little toddlers, and precise to zoom in on tiny hands and feet. I love hands and feet!

I like crisp clear photos and if I feel they need "softening" I will edit them on the computer afterwards. Usually, I just soften the edges for a dreamy effect.

I think I would be wise to start with the "Body Only" and purchase a Tamron 28-75 f2.8 lens, but am not sure. I don't want to spend more than $400 on the lens for now. I can add something later on, but is this a good starting place?

Or should I buy the kit with the 18-55 lens AND get the Tamron?? OR... is there a different lens I should be looking at??.

ps... I've been using a friends Rebel XT with the kit lens.

With your budget the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 XR Di is a good start, or the Sigma f2.8 EX DG. For portraits you also have some good fixed focal length choices such as the 50mm f1.4 ($310) or 85mm f1.8 ($340).

Hi, I need some really good lenses covering most focal lengths that will suit all my needs and produce super sharp photos, be fast oh and also, I have $200 to spend.

Sorry for being mean, but it's like asking what sports car to buy if you want to go under 4 seconds 0-60mph and have $1000 - I'd say buy a catapult.

The thing is as always, quality HAS a price. You want to make a compromise, a good start? Get the Tamron but try it out in the shop first (test for sharpness, examine on computer screen) or make sure you can exchange it for another if it turns out to be less than sharp. Perhaps you wouldn't mind going fix-focal in which case (and budget) you might want to get Tamron's 17-35 zoom for wide angle coverage and 85 f/1.8 (plus 50mm f/1.4) for natural light portraits. I would rather advise against 50 f/1.8 because of it's poor bokeh performance.

Also, Tamron doesn't focus very quickly... it doesn't have USM or the like and there is NO comparison to my L USM's that at least I can certify. If I were you, and would have only $400 to spend, I'd get the 50mm f/1.8 and the 85 f/1.8. Later on (after having collected additional funds), I'd find out which focal length suits me better and then sell the 50 1.8 and either buy the 1.4 version or go wide angle or telephoto.

I don't think his request is all that far fetched. His budget isn't $200.

I think you've already made a fantastic choice by deciding to go with the Tamron, but as a primarily portrait lens, I don't think you'll be saticefied with it's DOF. f/2.8 is pretty fast and will do relatively well in low light, but I think it may leave you wishing for more. The DOF is the clincher, and f/1.8 I think is the bare minimum you'll wanna go with. I would suggest the 50mm f/1.4. It's a little more versatile since you'll be shooting indoors the 85mm might be a little too long.

Need zoom? Eh, forget about zoom. I don't think you'll need it shooting baby's... primes will give you sharper images, faster shutters, better dof, and in my opinion, primes are easier to use. I find I typically worry too much about framing with zooms that I miss a lot of shots. With primes it's just, whoosh, move, frame, shoot. Not much to think about there. And by moving I sometimes find different angles and perspectives that are far more pleasing than the one I had originally been working at. Just a personal preference though I guess.

Unless these are turbo-charged babies, you're be able to "zoom with your feet" to follow them. In which case, the 50mm f/1.4 would be a great purchase. It will take a nice chunk of your $400 budget, but you can probably get the kit 18-55 & the 50 1.4 for the total of a touch under $400.

50 f1.8 and an external flash....(420 EX).

Ro1

I've found that bringing the 50mm f/1.4 USM, the speedlite 580EX, and the 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM all for portraits works out quite well for me. Obviously, you don't need your flash with the 50mm f/1.4 ...just some soft lighting if possible. Just my thought. I don't know about everyone else, but I just can't settle for anything less than the 580 flash. I just figure if I go with a 4xx I'll just want to upgrade, and feel like I'm missing something.

The Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 and the Canon 50mm f/1.8 are both very good portrait lenses to start with. You could always get a Canon 85mm f/1.8 (the portrait lens) later.

I have the Canon 50/1.4 and 85/1.8 primes but almost alway put on the Tamron 28-75 zoom when working with kids and people in non-standard portraiture settings. I agree with your decision (Tamron) and would add one of the primes - if budget permits - (e.g. 50/1.4, 50/1.8, etc.) for the increased exposure flexibility with available light.

Thank you all for the awesome feedback (except for the guy who raked me over the coals about my budget and lack of knowledge).
I have been reading and learning all I can for a few weeks now..... I think my husband is ready to throw my computer out the window!!

Im 99% sure I will stick with my original decision
20D
Tamron 28 -75 / f2.8
and Later to add the Canon 50 / 1.4

I would LOVE to eventually get the 85 F1.2 L.... Saw some AWESOME shots of it in another thread! (http://photography-on- the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=94463) But it is a $1500 lens and I cannot rationalize the costs at this time.

Anyway, you have all been so kind to answer my questions. I'll be visiting often as there are so many things to learn here!
THANKS A BUNCH!!

I think you have a good plan Kristy

By the way, the Canon 85mm f1.8 is much less expensive that the f1.2L, yet is reported to be an excellent lens. It's $340 at B&H Photo.

Kristy, welcome to the forum! I agree that you are making a good choice. It would be great to pick up the 50mm 1.8 too, it's cheap and you'll be surprised with what it can do. The effective focal length will be 80mm on the 20d, which is great for portraiture and indoor close quarters. Share with us your purchase choice and the subsequent pictures of course.

Id go with the 50mm1.8 and an external flash. Even tho you have the light coming in through the window a bounce flash will help things along. Maybe get the kit lens too - its *not bad* for what youre paying and more versitile than having just a 50mm. You might want to upgrade later but it costs so little its not a huge loss.

Light through a window can be a bit harsh sometimes so an external flash can make a big difference.

wow.... you were a bit on the harsh side here. I think her questions were completely reasonable and realistic. I don't believe she ever gave a $200 price limit either.

To be honest, the first lens that came to mind for me was the 50mm f/1.4. with the 1.6 crop factor, it would be the same as an 80mm which would be a great portrait lens for sharp low light situations.

karusel wrote:
Hi, I need some really good lenses covering most focal lengths that will suit all my needs and produce super sharp photos, be fast oh and also, I have $200 to spend.

Sorry for being mean, but it's like asking what sports car to buy if you want to go under 4 seconds 0-60mph and have $1000 - I'd say buy a catapult.

Thanks a bunch! I know I need to learn more about flash, but I just hate flash... It takes all the catch-lights out of eyes...

Have a look at this quick shot of my daughter,(don't pay attention to the silly dress up wig she is wearing) ... see the eyes... They sparkle, they reflect, they are just what I am trying to achieve most of the time. The back room in my house is absolutely a photographer's dream. Light comes in through 2 windows on adjoining walls and since I am in hot sunny Arizona, the light lasts for most of the day. I LOVE natural light.

I'm sure I need a flash, but that is a whole separate thing that I will need to master.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.