What is a good Canon portrait lense?

<p>I am looking for a great canon portrait lense. Do you recommend 55MM or 105mm? Should I go prime fixed or adjustable? Also striving for a F1.4 or F1.8 with the lense? </p>

<p>Which camera? Makes a big difference.</p>

<p>If you have an EF-mount body, the Canon EF 85/1.8 is superb and affordable.</p>

<p>Camera does make a difference, but without much detail here are my basic recommendations. I would say fixed focal is my preference with portraits. It stops you being lazy and makes you move your whole body to get a composition, which i often find makes me become more creative and think about the shot more. I would also get something with the biggest aperture you can afford! I use a Canon 50mm fixed lens f1.2 and love it. It is probably one of my favorite lenses i own! This lens will set you back a pretty penny though which is why i say get the widest aperture you can afford! We do a lot of portrait photography at our studio so this lens is worth it for us, but not worth it if you are just starting out in the field or not intending doing a huge amount of portraiture work.</p>

<p>I once wrote a "guide" on eBay on this subject, if I am allowed to link to it here: http://reviews.ebay.com/Portrait-Lenses-A-Short-Primer_W0QQugidZ10000000004439533 . The text is actually based on an older answer I gave here to this question.</p>

<p>It covers some of the basics such as which focal lengths are what on which bodies.</p>

<p>If you have an APS-C body, such as a "Rebel" or 50D or 7D, then the smaller sensor means that shorter focal lengths have the same effect as longer ones on 35mm-sized sensors.</p>

<p>Roughly, and only traditionally, short telephotos are preferred by many. On a Rebel that would be, say, 50 to 60mm. However, ANY lens can be used for portraits if you're willing to accept the consequences, even fisheyes and 500mm lenses, just be aware that your subjects may not be flattered by such choices....</p>

<p>I usually prefer a Prime Lens for portraiture, but there are conveniences with having a zoom.

 

<br>

There are no zooms made with an F/1.4 or F/1.8 maximum aperture - so to fit that criterion you will need prime lens.

 

<br>

I do not believe Canon has either 55mm or 105mm lenses, but EF50/1.4; EF50/1.8MkII and the EF85/1.8 fit the other criteria. All three of these lenses will be suitable and none are very expensive. The 50/1.2L and 85/1.2LMkII are more expensive and either would also be an excellent choice.

 

<br>

WW</p>

 

<p>My camera is Canon EOS Rebel T1i. Thank you.</p>

<p>EF Mount. Thank you all for the great advice!</p>

<blockquote>

<p>"My camera is Canon EOS Rebel T1i. EF Mount."</p>

</blockquote>

<p> <br>

Your T1i (500D) will mate with BOTH: Canon <em >EF mount</em> AND Canon <em >EF-S mount lenses.</em><br>

This dual mount, is indicated on the front of the camera's female bayonet.<br>

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/12451132-lg.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="480" /><br>

The RED DOT indicates the alignment to mount EF lenses; the WHITE SQUARE is the alignment marker, for EF-S lenses.</p>

<p > </p>

<p >WW</p>

 

<p>George,<br>

Now that we know that you have, either the EF 50mm f/1.8 or the EF 50mm f/1.4 would be good candidates as a portrait lens.<br>

The EF 50 f/1.8 is around $100. US, and the EF 50 f/1.4 around $400. US.<br>

The f/1.4 has Full Time Manual Focus and a bit better "build quality." Both are capable of providing good sharp images for portrait work.<br>

Either of the 50's is probably the best "dollars spent" as a start, and an improvement over the kit lens.</p>

<p>To my surprise*, I found out that Jim is right about full-time manual focus on this lens. I thought it was the older USM.</p>

<p>In fact Canon says at their website (complete, if not so complete clip from the site)</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Only lens in the EF System to combine the extra-small Micro USM and still provide full-time manual focusing when the lens.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Obviously this was not a problem on my FD-mount 50mm f/1.4 :)</p>

<p>___________<br>

*I was not surprised that Jim was right, but that the lens was FTM focus, I hasten to note. :P</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I second the suggestion of either the EF 50 f/1.8 and EF 85/1.8. I have both and they're great portrait lenses with a crop sensor camera.</p>

<p>There is a current conversation here:<a href="../canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00Y6di">http://www.photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00Y6di</a> discussing the EF50/1.4 and outlining the lens. <br>

The EF50/1.8MkII and the EF85/1.8 are also mentioned in that thread.<br>

<br>

I agree that a 50 / 85 is a good Prime Portrait pair for a T1i. <br>

The more complete set of three Prime Portrait Lenses for APS-C would be: 35 / 50 / 85. <br>

Thence lastly a 135 and 24, in that order of priority to make the set of five.<br>

<br>

<br>

<br>

WW</p>

<ul>

<li>Do you like full body, upper body or headshot type portraits?</li>

<li>What will be your average working distance?</li>

</ul>

<p>Depending on the answers you'll need anything between 20mm and 300mm.</p>

<p>I'd say for full body portraits at 2 to 3 meter (6 to 10 foot) a 28 or 30 mm will be fine.<br>

For headshots at 5 meter you'll probably need a 200mm.</p>

<p>Do you have a zoomlens that covers somewhere between 50-200? If so, try different focal lengths before you buy a prime.</p>

<p>Good luck and have fun!</p>