Lens for Outdoor Portraits

[askpaul]

Any recommendations for Canon lens in doing outdoor Portraits???

I thinking of using 50mm f/1.4 USM.

Since my sensor got a 1.6 crop factor, it will be effectively 80mm.

Is there a more suitable focal length or len???

What is the purpose for using long focal length, other than prevent the subject from being distorted???

Thanks

[LKH]

Although the 50mm lens will give you a FOV = 80mm, you will not get a compressed perspective like a real 80mm lens. A compressed view tends to flatter the facial features & the subject will look nice.

[Klose]

Originally Posted by askpaul Any recommendations for Canon lens in doing outdoor Portraits??? I thinking of using 50mm f/1.4 USM. Since my sensor got a 1.6 crop factor, it will be effectively 80mm. Is there a more suitable focal length or len??? What is the purpose for using long focal length, other than prevent the subject from being distorted??? Thanks

Well, it depends on your budget. I could recommend the 200mm 1.8L or 200mm 2.8L or 135mm 1.2L or 85mm 1.2L. All terrific lenses.

[tunster]

I use a 24-70 2.8 and a 10-22 for portraits....sold away my 50 mm for not being used most of the time.

[askpaul]

so... is it better if i use the extreme end of my EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM?

[mpenza]

Originally Posted by LKH Although the 50mm lens will give you a FOV = 80mm, you will not get a compressed perspective like a real 80mm lens. A compressed view tends to flatter the facial features & the subject will look nice.

not true. perspective depends on the distance from the subject. so u'll get the same perspective with a 50mm lens on a 1.6x crop as a "real" 80mm lens on a full frame, both shooting from the same distance. try it.

Below's a shot taken with a zoom lens at 10.9mm.


Another shot at 8.3mm:

[mpenza]

Originally Posted by askpaul Is there a more suitable focal length or len??? What is the purpose for using long focal length, other than prevent the subject from being distorted??? Thanks

Using longer focal length, u'll then to stand further away from the subject which will give u more compressed perspective and far away objects appear bigger (e.g. fountain, kellong in the distance, that would be too small in the frame with wide-angle). u could also achieve shallower depth of field at the same aperture. my pre-wedding photographer uses the 24-70 and 70-200 on a 1.3x crop body for the pre-wedding shoot.

[sk.images]

You can use AANY lens for portraite, really depends on your style. But, traditionally 85mm and up is the way to go for portraits. 85 is good 200 is better. I used to work with a photographer that used a 600mm outdoors if there was enough room.

[mpenza]

agree

just saw some nice wedding pics taken with a 200 f1.8:

[boredphuck]

Originally Posted by askpaul so... is it better if i use the extreme end of my EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM?

sure. if it rocks your boat, u can use any focal length u want. i have been using 105 end for my portrait shots lately. bokeh wont be as nice as primes though.

[mtunlinn]

From my experience, I don't like the perspective of 50mm on 1.6x body for face and shoulder shots.

For half body and full body is quite nice.

[calebk]

I'd stick with an 85mm f/1.8. Can't really go wrong there. Offers enough perspective compression without having to work from too far away.

[Shootking]

135mm f/2 for 'Head n Shoulders' shots is really

[fireblaster_lyz]

Originally Posted by askpaul Any recommendations for Canon lens in doing outdoor Portraits??? I thinking of using 50mm f/1.4 USM.

You have your answer.
Your lens is already capable enough. (:

[FilterFunk]

Originally Posted by calebk I'd stick with an 85mm f/1.8. Can't really go wrong there. Offers enough perspective compression without having to work from too far away.

agreed, IMO 85 1.8 should suffice in most situations

i thought the 85 1.8 will be able to af well with such a large aperture until i was proven wrong recently in an event that has really poor tungstun lighting and the lens struggled to lock compared to the lighting quick 135L..

in a nutshell..
i will pick the 135L if i have plenty of space to work with.
i will pick the 85 1.8 if i didnt have much open space (and a huge budget) to work with..

[xunjas]

For primes, i choose 85mm f/1.8. Without budget, i would choose 85mm f/1.2.

For zooms, i would choose 24-85mm. Without budget, i would choose 24-70mm or 24-105mm or 70-200mm.

[Snoweagle]

I'd choose the 50mm focal range for both FF and 1.6x bodies. If can afford, go for the 50mm f/1.2L, i've already made my reservation for one.

Currently using my 17-40 for portraits but once my 50 f/1.2L comes around Jan, i'll used it full-time for portraiture.

[unseenshadows]

i'm currently working at the 135mm end with my 28-135 for portraiture. bokeh is not excellent, but images produced are still sharp.

for portraiture, its really up to the photographer, you can use from a wide angle (for full body) to tele lens (upper body).

[xunjas]

Originally Posted by Snoweagle I'd choose the 50mm focal range for both FF and 1.6x bodies. If can afford, go for the 50mm f/1.2L, i've already made my reservation for one. Currently using my 17-40 for portraits but once my 50 f/1.2L comes around Jan, i'll used it full-time for portraiture.

wow, finally u getting it.. =D i am tinking of getting 85mm f/1.2~~ time to save up!

[xunjas]

Originally Posted by unseenshadows i'm currently working at the 135mm end with my 28-135 for portraiture. bokeh is not excellent, but images produced are still sharp. for portraiture, its really up to the photographer, you can use from a wide angle (for full body) to tele lens (upper body).

your style, your choice of lens. =)