Which Lens is good for potrait shots?

[Shin Howard]

Dear fellow CSers,

I own an Alpha 200 with kit lens, would like to get a lens for taking potrait shots like during wedding or gathering. But after look @ the prices of Sony Lens, seems like their prices are sky-high sia!

Haha, hence was recommended to go for 3rd party Lens like Tamron or Sigma. So will like to hear from u on which Lens u use for potrait shots & what are your views.

[DewaKarma]

haha... portraits shoot... minolta 85mm f1.4 or 100f2 ..3rd party lenses..beats me..couldnt think of any

[tchoonyong]

i own a 5omm with 1.4 by sony it is quite good for portrait. For portrait shooting, you can choose lens with a wider aperture.

[zcf]

Cheaper Portrait lens:
Sigma 30mm f/1.4
Minolta 50mm f/1.7.
Sigma 50mm f/1.4
90/100mm f/2.8 macro
Minolta 135mm f/2.8 (may be a bit too tele at time, esp during indoor or wedding shots).
Sigma/Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8
Minolta 80-200mm f/2.8
Beercan 70-210mm f/4

Actually, even 24/28-70/75mm f/2.8 can be a good portrait lens if you use correctly, actually it's a good indoor event lens.

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by Shin Howard Dear fellow CSers, I own an Alpha 200 with kit lens, would like to get a lens for taking potrait shots like during wedding or gathering. But after look @ the prices of Sony Lens, seems like their prices are sky-high sia!

Only in SG. But you can always get from HK, or rent a portrait lens from the bros here.

[synapseman]

The 85mm f/1.4 is a wonderful lens to use. However, during weddings (as in Actual Day), it is a bit difficult to use especially at f/1.4 and if your subjects aren't totally still. The focusing is a bit slow (due to the need to move the heavy glass elements?), and the depth of field is very narrow, so this is mostly good for posed, or semi-posed shots. But if you can get the "eyes sharp but everything else blur", the pic will really jump out at you.

Slightly easier and faster to use would be the 50mm f/1.4. Probably start with this one first.

There's one piece of info that I cannot verify though. During a workshop, a top local photographer suggested that since macro lenses have a flat front element, this causes distortions to the face at certain angles, causing the person to look weird. I've never had the opportunity to use a 100mm macro lens, so I'm not sure about this. This was what made me not buy the 100mm macro (thought it'd be a good dual-purpose lens for me), and splash out for the 85mm f/1.4 instead.

[TME]

If u're using APS-C camera, then the 50mm lenses are fantastic portrait lenses lor... prime, sharp, contrasty, fast, and the right focal length at 75mm...

[tancws]

I'm personally using a minolta 50mm f/1.7 with my a350 to take portraits.

cheap and good in my opinion!

pretty happy with the results =)

[Johnston]

Most of my portraiture shots are taken either with KM 28-75 2.8 or beercan.

[tokrot]

i recommend KM 28-75mm.. Bokeh is very nice... Love it..

[Agetan]

Originally Posted by Shin Howard Dear fellow CSers, I own an Alpha 200 with kit lens, would like to get a lens for taking potrait shots like during wedding or gathering. But after look @ the prices of Sony Lens, seems like their prices are sky-high sia! Haha, hence was recommended to go for 3rd party Lens like Tamron or Sigma. So will like to hear from u on which Lens u use for potrait shots & what are your views.

What's wrong with Kit lens? Just use it at 70mm and you got yourself a portrait lens.

Make sure you select the plain background as the kit lens do not have large aperture to blur out the background. Look for white wall or have the subject stand further away from the background.

85mm f1.4 G on wedding is great if there is enough space, 50mm will be nice... but if you are using A-200, I guess 35mm will be better, just don't stand too close to the subject.

Traditionally, I only shoot the wedding with 28mm, 35mm and 85mm and maybe occasional 50mm macro for detail shots and 70-210 for some candid shots.

Regards,

Hart