sara_gee Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I'm looking into fashion and commercial photography. I've got to shoot 2 peoplein about 3 weeks. I've been looking at different lenses for a couple of weeksnow and I cannot seem to decide on which one to get. I would love to get the70-200 f/2.8, but it's over my price range, and I'm sure I don't need to havethat range. I'm looking for good portrait, head, and body shots. A lot of thelenses I've been looking at seem to be a bit soft. Any suggestions? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinsouthern Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 "Any suggestions?" Learn to apply effective capture sharpening :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryantan Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Still on that topic huh? :) Well, what IS your budget? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arie_vandervelden1 Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 50/1.8 85/1.8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calebcondit Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I?d go 50 1.4 and 80 1.8 for a couple of good lenses. I shoot a ton with a 24-70 doing all kinds of lifestyle, fashion and editorial work. I find that sometimes being able to shoot at 35mm is really helpful to create environmental portraits. Anyhow, with 3 non L lenses you?re still cheaper than the 70-200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sara_gee Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 Did I already post this before? I don't remember, haha. my budget is around 600. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Michael Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 >>> fashion and commercial photography. I've got to shoot 2 people (edit) I'm looking for good portrait, head, and body shots. <<< Yeah but. . . what location; what camera; two people together or separately or both; what`s the essence of then art director`s brief; for what publication; who is the end consumer? . . . and what is your budget and present lens selection? Without all that information, and assuming APS-C format and a tight budget, having the following canon primes available should be sufficient in all situations: 35mmF2; 50mmF.8MkII; 85mmF1.8 and 100mmF2. WW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjb Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 not much to go on, h&s 2 come to mind 85 1.8/135 f2 sharp as you get, usually get away with 24 70 2.8. But I am interested in what lenses you have tried that are tooo soft? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sara_gee Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share Posted January 16, 2008 I've tried the 17-40 f/4L lens, I found it a bit soft, which is a surprise because I saw lots of reviews saying that it was a great lens. and also tried the 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 I think I will go for the 85 1.8 though.=) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zigzag Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 That 85mm f/1.8 is a long focal length on a crop camera if you are working indoors - but then you know that if you'be been using the 28-135mm. Check the field of view of the primes with your existing zooms before you commit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wen_qian Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 depends on what kind of camera are you using. You need a Canon 5D(12megapixels) or at least a 10 meg camera. Also depending on waht lens you're using, you might want to shoot 2 stops up from what is the widest aperture. eg 17-40mm/4L, should be shooting at F8. There are many factors involve. If you use a medium format digital back, you coudl probably shoot at F2.8 and your image would be really sharp. Check out dpreview.com and check the lenses out there on camera bodies. They'll provide some info before you make your next purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjb Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Hmmm not had a prob with a 28 135 are you using flash? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markonestudios Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 >>You need a Canon 5D(12megapixels) or at least a 10 meg camera. << <p>Erm... no you don't :) You can shoot juuust fine with just about any dSLR, or, dare I say it, FILM SLR! ;) <p>Sara, your info is still sketchy. I have the 17-40L and find it pin sharp with both my film and digital SLRs. Yours might be faulty, or your post-processing might need some tweakiong. But I digress. I shoot portraits with my 17-40L, 24-105L and 50 f/1.8; I'd recommend any of this glass any day for portraits. It's HOW you use the tool that matters. Of course the wider aperture glass gives you more room to play with low-light (no-flash?) situations and throw the background out of focus for smoother bokeh. You can still achieve this with a slower telephoto if you increase the subject-to-background distance. <p>Since you said you're looking into fashion and commercial photog., it might be wiser to rent one of the good lenses already mentioned for your shoot if you can. That way, you can more quickly figure out which works best in terms of focal length & speed then get that.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sara_gee Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share Posted January 16, 2008 Thank you for all the help! I think I'm just debating between 50 1.4 and 85 1.8 now. I will be shooting more outdoors than in. Maybe go for the 85 first? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek_stanton2 Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 A 50mm lens on a full-frame camera, or its equivalent. It's that simple. If you're studying the magazines, i doubt you'll find an image shot with a 70-200 zoom. Or any zoom, really.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_viny Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Hey I just wanted to mention for Derek that many recent studies are indicating that modern zooms can be every bit as sharp and in some cases sharper than fixed focal length lenses. In addition I'd like to mention that a lot of photographers do use the 70-200 for this type of photography. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek_stanton2 Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Andrew, I'm aware of the 'progress' being made with zooms. I do think it's rare that they are actually sharper than primes. There is a relatively recent Leica zoom that is said to be 'as sharp' as the equivalent Leica primes, for example. But, that's not really the point. Ultimate sharpness isn't even the primary demand, except possibly in beauty work. Nevertheless, i stand by my statement. "A lot of photographers" are using zooms for fashion. You'll find them on pbase, flickr, OneModelPlace and ModelMayhem, etc. But, if we're talking about editorial work for Vogue, Bazaar, etc., and the advertising therein, i submit that you will not find any significant number of those images shot with zooms. There are exceptions, of course. I've seen video of Annie Leibovitz using zooms for her photographs, with a Canon 1DsII/III. Still, it's rare. Also, i'm not suggesting that most of the images in those magazines couldn't be shot with zooms. I'm just telling you what is and what isn't being done. It's up to you to draw your own conclusions as to why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yadayadanoonecares Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Sara, whatever you do, dont buy a new lens days before an assignment, use equipment you are fammiliar with. Also sharpness ~especially with portraits~ isnt everything. Digital captures taken with prime lenses often are softened afterwards because otherwise the result is often very unflattering; slightest blemish or make-up error is visible in meticulous detail when blown up (and when not blown up, lens softness hardly shows unless its a cokebottle..). If your creativity and commercial skills are fine, youll do fine. If not, not even a 100000$ equipment budget is going to help much. Just my 2cts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_clark Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 If you cannot afford or justify the purchase than I would rent the lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sara_gee Posted January 19, 2008 Author Share Posted January 19, 2008 Well, I purchased my 85 1.8 and I lalalalove it! I'm really glad I purchased it. But I do have another question... how do I convert my RAW pictures? I was told there is suppose to be a CD in the box the camera comes with, and I never got that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_clark Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 How much experience do you have? Is this a paid gig? You may want to hire an Assistant whether it is or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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