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seanbolt · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 420 Location: Atlanta, Ga.

I'm looking for a new lense to use for taking portraits. What do you guys recommend?

supertramp · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:40 am

What lenses do you already have? It may be that you already have the focal length you need.

On a cropped sensor, you'd be looking at about 50-85mm. On full frame sensor, perhaps about 80-135mm. Not a hard rule but a good place to start.

With my Canon 5D2, I'm finding that my 70-200mm f2.8L IS is working quite nicely for me.

seanbolt · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 420 Location: Atlanta, Ga.

I have 28-70mm 2.8, 70-200mm 2.8, 28-105mm 4.5.

I use the 28-70 normally. It seems a bit soft at times. I'm wondering if there is a better lense to use for sharper images.

I'm shooting with a 20D.

mlopes · Joined: 31 Dec 2005 Posts: 362 Location: Lisbon

triceratops · Joined: 15 Nov 2006 Posts: 6248 Location: The other Nevada

I use the 70-200 for the majority of my portrait work, but if I went with a prime lens, the Canon 100 mm macro would also be a good choice on a full frame body. Kill two birds with one stone so to speak.

thartl · Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 910

I use a variety. the 24-105 f4 L IS is my work horse for portraits, because I love the sharpness. I use a 70-200 f2.8 occasionally. I also love using my 135 mm soft focus.

supertramp · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 1:22 pm

I did use the 24-105mm f4L IS for portraits with my 20D. The 28-70mm f2.8 should be fine. Tripod/monopod the shot and try to use f8.

Try this. Shoot RAW, then in DPP set the sharpening to #5 and see if that does the trick.

And yes, a macro or the 85mm f1.2L will do, but can you afford to get a new lens right now? Explore some of the possibilities that you may not have tried first.

seanbolt · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 420 Location: Atlanta, Ga.

I photograph a lot of families with young children so using a tripod/monopod is pretty tricky. Thanks for all the advice! I'll try a few of these suggestions.

I've been wanting to get a new lense but what I WANT is a fisheye.

davidcrehner · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 4839

For head/shoulders portraits, my 100mm macro is my lens of choice on a 40D.

rinder99 · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:12 pm

felix_casio · Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Posts: 1563 Location: www.felixtm.com

I used this...

to take this

the lens is built into the camera and it's focus free so everything is always in focus kinda sort of. and notice how the flash s off to the side so you get a pleasant side flash effect.

jeffbanke · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:31 pm