What's a Good Portrait taking Canon Lens for use with a 5D ?

[d12go4]

Looking to get a Canon Lens for taking Portraits with my 5D.

Any recommendations for a Prime or Zoom lens would be appreciated

Thanks

MANoj

[d12go4]

Originally Posted by d12go4 Looking to get a Canon Lens for taking Portraits with my 5D. Any recommendations for a Prime or Zoom lens would be appreciated Thanks MANoj

Forgot to add, budget is $1,500.00. So, what Canon lens at this price range, is good for taking Portraits ?

Thanks

MANoj

[jimtong]

For your budget, you can consider 135L F2 or 85 F1.8.

But end of days, you still need to see your shooting style, If you prefer a large zoom, 70-200F2.8 IS is the way to go. But then the price is beyond your budget.

[sk.images]

85 f/1.8, well under 1500

135 f/2L, not sure on the price

70-200 f/4L, about 1200 i think

i'm sure there are others...

[SpitFir3]

consider 135 F2 for close but not so close crops since you are using FF

[CYRN]

ummm... wat kind of potraits are you shooting?

24-105 IS L is pretty all rounder for FF.

[NorthernLights]

Originally Posted by cyber_m0nkey 85 f/1.8, well under 1500 135 f/2L, not sure on the price 70-200 f/4L, about 1200 i think i'm sure there are others...

At your budget, definitely a 135 f2 L. It costs $1350 w/gst. It is not long as your 5D is FF.

[Stoned]

anything really. Even a 12-24 lens could be a portrait lens. "traditional" f lengths for portraits are 50mm 85mm and 135mm. I personally favour 50mm and 85mm. Take your pick.

[Snoweagle]

The 85mm f1.8 is a very gd choice...price now around $600+ only.

[Hoky]

Originally Posted by CYRN ummm... wat kind of potraits are you shooting? 24-105 IS L is pretty all rounder for FF.

The 24-105L is a F4 lens, bokeh wise may not be that good.
I find that large aperture prime lens wins the game everytime.

[student]

Originally Posted by Hoky The 24-105L is a F4 lens, bokeh wise may not be that good. I find that large aperture prime lens wins the game everytime.

This is interesting. Why?

[Hoky]

Originally Posted by student This is interesting. Why?

For understanding bokeh and DOF, please go to http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/enjoydslr/p_2_007.html

[student]

Originally Posted by Hoky For understanding bokeh and DOF, please go to http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/enjoydslr/p_2_007.html

Thank you. I happened to have several fast prime lenses, including an f1.0.

My question is why does a fast prime lens wins every time?

What is a good portrait lens? Are good portrait lenses those that produce good bokeh? Have you look at the images by Karsh, Avedon, Newman?

Then tell me if such fanstatic images were made using the fantastic bokehs of fast lenses?

[Stoned]

Originally Posted by Hoky The 24-105L is a F4 lens, bokeh wise may not be that good. I find that large aperture prime lens wins the game everytime.

I think that this is a very limited view. It may be true that on CS you see low DOF shots with nice bokeh very commonly but who is to say that that is the definitive style of portrait photography? Why can't i have portraits with large DOF? Must I necessarily blur out the background? Why can't I create a good image with a zoom?

[hazmee]

It all boils down to the level of need and budget. With 1500 you can get the 85mm F1.8 (for about $660), then get a good B+W filter for about $100. The rest of the money you can use for getting a wide angle lens for those 'creative' shots. There you go.

[Hoky]

Originally Posted by Stoned I think that this is a very limited view. It may be true that on CS you see low DOF shots with nice bokeh very commonly but who is to say that that is the definitive style of portrait photography? Why can't i have portraits with large DOF? Must I necessarily blur out the background? Why can't I create a good image with a zoom?

Yes, I may be wrong to say that a nice bokeh is the definition of portrait photography.
It ties down to what the photographer wants to achieve in his shots.

A low DOF reflects my preference for portrait shots.

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by hazmee It all boils down to the level of need and budget. With 1500 you can get the 85mm F1.8 (for about $660), then get a good B+W filter for about $100. The rest of the money you can use for getting a wide angle lens for those 'creative' shots. There you go.

The last time i found out from AP, the 85mm f1.8 is going for $650 inclusive of GST.

[mpenza]

You don't need to spend so much for a good lens e.g. EF 135mm f/2.8 w/ Soft Focus is a good lens to consider for head/head and should shots.

Anyway, a lot depends on what you want to take. If you want full-body environmental portraits, 50/85/135 would probably be too long (unless you want to stand far away from your subject). If you want head shots, 85/135 would be nice to work with.

[Snoweagle]

Can 50mm lens be considered as a portrait lens?

[Goldenstars08]

Canon 85mm F/1.8...