Best Portraits lens

[bchyeo]

As above, which is the best or rather most suited for portraits lens in the 4/3 lineup? Thks.

[headfonz]

Originally Posted by bchyeo As above, which is the best or rather most suited for portraits lens in the 4/3 lineup? Thks.

i would recommend the following:

Leica D 25/f1.4
ZD14-35/f2
Leica D 14-50/f2.8-3.5
ZD14-54/f2.8-3.5
ZD50/f2
ZD35-100/f2
Sigma30/f1.4

[srinivasanj]

In my opinion, the 50-200 is the best affordable option. I really have not tried the other ones -> 150, 35-100 etc.

This range gives me the option to shoot from a bit further away, get a beautiful bokeh and 'crop' the portrait as per what is required. The 12-60 at 60 is very nice as well. The distortion is out at this end and the lens performs superbly.

If I were to choose, I will still go with the 50-200, though, again..I havent tried the SHG glasses..

[aryanto]

Originally Posted by bchyeo As above, which is the best or rather most suited for portraits lens in the 4/3 lineup? Thks.

um portrait is not enough info. What is the lighting?

Concert lighting & seating means 50-200mm for portait is good.

Medium distance daytime street 12-60mm for portrait is good (fast!)

daytime paparazi 70-300mm for portrait is good (light too)

50mm if you are patient

25mm for babies (smallest lense, very friendly - not threatening like 50-200 for example), allow close distance, since you have to interact with them - their eyes not well developed and cannot see far yet.

sigma 30mm f1.4 if you want thin DOF
leica 25mm f1.4 also but this is kind of difficult to get

[microcosm]

14-54mm is my favorite portrait lens in the studio and for fashion.
50-200mm SWD if you are looking for something that compresses the perspective.
For fun, I use 8mm fisheye a lot... interesting perspective and when you de-fish the lens, it looks pretty nice.

But then again, it all depends on what you are shooting. What kind of portraiture. Something we can discuss when we meet for the kopi sessions.

Thin DOF is a myth. If you are good in Photoshop, you can use any lens and create razor thin DOF images with superb control on the "bokeh and circular blades blades". Purists will argue, of course, but I am speaking from my own point of view.

[Oly5050]

50 mm f1.4??

[Oly5050]

OK, but seriously, the 50 mm f2.0 is a fantastic indoor portrait lens. It is super sharp. U must shoot in RAW though.

I also use the 50-200 SWD to get very nice portraits too.

I personally find the 14-54 just a tad soft.

[Mikefellh]

There is no magic "best"...while many will choose a focal length ~50mm (4/3 format), it all depends on YOUR setup, and they type of portrait YOU wish to take.

For instance I've even seen the 8mm fisheye used for portraits of a certain type.

Take a look at other people's portraits, examine the Exif (if available) to see what lens they've used.

If you own one of the zoom lenses that cover the 50mm range, do some test shots at that focal length (and more or less mm) and see what you like.

[marky]

Originally Posted by Mikefellh For instance I've even seen the 8mm fisheye used for portraits of a certain type.

I've tried this before.. its a creative method of taking portraits but not the best lens for it.

14-54mm and the 35-100mm is the 2 lenses i mostly use for portraits. One thing about the 35-100mm lens is that its too heavy to be really carried around and it takes sometime to get used to.

[bchyeo]

I like to do candid portraits on the streets but i don't like to be too close to my subject. I have the 14-54mm and a 70-300mm. I would like to be able to do some low-light shots as well. Low-light as in under shade, cloudy days or in the evening.

I like my portraits tacksharp. i just feel that the 14-54mm is a little soft. it's a great lens but somehow i kinda like something sharper. I like my 11-22mm sharpness but the distance is too close for my comfort...

[bchyeo]

..thanks for all the feedback and inputs BTW!

[headfonz]

Originally Posted by bchyeo I like to do candid portraits on the streets but i don't like to be too close to my subject. I have the 14-54mm and a 70-300mm. I would like to be able to do some low-light shots as well. Low-light as in under shade, cloudy days or in the evening. I like my portraits tacksharp. i just feel that the 14-54mm is a little soft. it's a great lens but somehow i kinda like something sharper. I like my 11-22mm sharpness but the distance is too close for my comfort...

you should seriously consider the ZD50/f2 then. since you have the 14-54, you should be comfortable with the 50mm FOV. its should meet your tack sharp expectations but if you like more distance, then perhaps you would like to consider a fast telephoto like the 35-100/f2 or the 50-200/2.8-3.5. another option is the 150/f2

this was shot with the 50 at f2.


this was at 2.8, you can see a larger image on the image link. the sharpness is really fantastic at 2.8.

[bchyeo]

I was thinking of 50/f2 but my concern is that the 50/f2 is slow generally as it is also a macro lens. The 50/f2 is kinda more for delibrate situations perhaps?

35-100mm - very tempting, heavy and costly
50mm - afforable, best in class? but slow
50mm/f1.4 Sigma - good but not great. any focusing problem like 30mm?

argh...too many considerations..

[headfonz]

Originally Posted by bchyeo I was thinking of 50/f2 but my concern is that the 50/f2 is slow generally as it is also a macro lens. The 50/f2 is kinda more for delibrate situations perhaps? 35-100mm - very tempting, heavy and costly 50mm - afforable, best in class? but slow 50mm/f1.4 Sigma - good but not great. any focusing problem like 30mm? argh...too many considerations..

which camera body are you using? the 50/f2 AF speed improves with the E3 and E30. For shooting ppl, I personally find it faster to manual focus with the 50/f2.

if you are joining us at the olympus sponsored outing next week, you can probably try out the lens for yourself. you can try out my 50/f2 if olympus does not have a unit at the outing.

[bchyeo]

I'm using the E-3 with FW 1.4. So 50/f2 work better on the E-3 than the rest of the oly bodies?

I won't be able to join you guys as i'm out of the country at the moment. Thanks.
If it works better on the E-3 and fast enuff for low light, i will go for the 50/f2.

[headfonz]

I own a E510 and recently added a E30. there is a performance gain of the all my 4/3 lenses when mounted on the E30. the performance gain is more obvious on the ZD50/f2 and the Sigma 150/f2.8

[Oly5050]

Originally Posted by bchyeo I was thinking of 50/f2 but my concern is that the 50/f2 is slow generally as it is also a macro lens. The 50/f2 is kinda more for delibrate situations perhaps? 35-100mm - very tempting, heavy and costly 50mm - afforable, best in class? but slow 50mm/f1.4 Sigma - good but not great. any focusing problem like 30mm? argh...too many considerations..

Slow?? If u are taking portraits, how fast u need? If u are shooting street photography portraits, then u should go for 40-150 (ref Adrewine) or 50-200. If got budget, go for kit 40-150. If a bit more 70-300, if even more 50-200...add SWD even better.

[microcosm]

Your solution is 12-60 + 50-200 combo... I shoot loads of street... my weapon of choice... the SHG lenses are too large, the SG are too slow... HG is just right...

[mojims]

Originally Posted by microcosm Your solution is 12-60 + 50-200 combo... I shoot loads of street... my weapon of choice... the SHG lenses are too large, the SG are too slow... HG is just right...

I agree, and would attest to this as well...

... well ok, I haven't tried the SHGs yet.

[egnaro]

12-60 + 50-200 is lot of 4/3 user combo I believe.. it my combo too... this is the 2 must have lens in my bag.