Portrait Lense

[greg_koni]

Looking for a protrait lense for a 1DM2. Currently own a 24-70

f2.8L, 70-200 f2.8L, and a 1.4X TC. Narrowed my choiced down to the

50 f1.4 or the 85 f2.8. Comments welcome

[mark u]

Perhaps you can tell us the manufacturer of the 85 f/2.8?

[digitmstr]

The lenses you have are EXCELLENT portrait lenses.

 

If you want yet ANOTHER portrait lens buy either of the two you are thinking about. My choice would be the 85mm f/1.8 over the 50mm.

[thomas_jefferson]

Ditto on the 85/1.8

However, the 50/1.4 is an excellent lens and would perform quite well in that role. If you anticipate a small working environment, I might be inclined to say that the 50/1.4 would serve you better. I would first try to shoot from outside the window, or from the next room out of devotion to the 85. Small exageration, but ...

[fj5]

I'd say use what you have... f/2.8 seems like it should be enough and you'd have the versatility of the zoom if you don't have much room for movement.

 

If you really do need the wider apertures like 1.8 or 1.4, ask yourself, what for? And how much is it worth? Cheap alternative, although with your current set it doesn't seem like money is an issue, would be the 50mm f/1.8 I or II. With your 1.3x crop factor, that'd be a 65mm, great for portraiture.

[jim_larson1]

This is on a 1D-II. Obvious answer is 85/1.8, with a strong case for a 85/1.2

[andrewmoore]

After a few months of saving im going to buy the canon 85mm 1.2L for portraits. It is highly praised and looks like a top studio portrait lens.

 

Next best + cheaper would be the 85mm 1.8 version.

 

That is my personal opinion.

 

good luck.

[david cunningham]

i use the 50 f1.4 on my 1dmk2 for a lot of my portrait work. if not that it's the 24-70 f2.8.

i have been using the 50 more and more lately.<div></div>

[bob_a]

"...With your 1.3x crop factor, that'd be a 65mm, great for portraiture..."

 

Duh! I may have displayed my ignorance on this issue in my previous post (18-55 vs 17-80), however, even I suspect that 65mm is probably not long enough for a *great* portrait lens. There's a thing called "perspective" as I've learnt the hard way today (thanks Bill!)

 

I'd go for at least 100mm in "real" terms (77mm on your 1.3 crop or 63 on 1.6). So there, the 80mm fits your bill well from where I stand.

Cheers

[paul_kurian]

I prefer 85mm/1.2L as the best portrait lens for full frame and 1.3 crop factor body<div></div>

[chrisjb]

Which zoom do you use for portraits mostly now.

 

24 70 ans=50mm

 

70 200 ans =85mm

 

hope it helps.

[greg_koni]

Thanks for all of your quick responses. My mistake...I meant f1.8 in my original post not f2.8. I use my 24-70 most of the time for portraits but wanted either the 50 or the 85 for low light. Can anyone shoot me the link to the site that reviews lenses and also provides sample shots?

[yakim_peled1]

50/1.4 for indoors. 85/1.8 for outdoors.

 

Happy shooting,

Yakim.

[dkord]

With the 50mm the subject's nose tends to look more pronounced due to the characteristics of the focal length and subject distance if you compare the same crop to a 85mm(head shots). The 1.6 crop does help since it forces you to be get back a little farther but I think it can be noticable. From the photographer's point of view it's a nice lens, but I don't think it's as flattering to the subject.

 

I do use the 50 1.4 though, it's fast and nice for ambient light;use it for half body shots and short dof on eyes and such. I also use the 28-105 3.5-4.5

[micheleberti]

If I was in u I would take the 50 f/1.4. I have just ordered one for me as a portrait lens for indoor photographs.