What Lens Should I consider for Portrait Work?

[kula23]

I know everyone asked this before on older forum but I can't seem to find it. Since it's been awhile for me not using a camera and now I can finally work more on my photography. What most photographer use for portrait/wedding len? And landscape? I know 70-200mm f/2.8L is the best len for wedding/portrait. Give me a len what is the most useful len I need to get since I will be getting couple of them in a month. Thanks again!

[Tom]

Hey Kelly, good to see you again! I hadn't seen you posting, so wondered where you wandered off to.

A combination of lenses is best. There is no real perfect lens. You generally need a normal range zoom and a telephoto zoom.

Something like the
Canon 24-70mm 2.8L or 24-105mm 4L IS (I prefer the second one)
or if you are trying to save money on that, get the Tamron 28-75mm 2.8.

Then the telephoto one should be the 70-200mm 2.8L, 70-200mm 2.8L IS or to save money, the Sigma or Tamron 70-200mm 2.8.

For portraits, primes tend to be better. A 50mm 1.8 is a great starter prime at $100. The 85mm 1.8 is a nice upgrade at around $400. A used Canon 135mm 2.0L would be my choice if you can spare the $850 (used) or $1100 (new).

[ldelacruz]

Are you shooting weddings? If so, IS would be helpful. What lenses do you have now? What is your budget?

[kula23]

Thanks! I have been taking care of my best friend's son due to her PPD (baby blue) after she give birth. No one, not even her family help her that she can't be alone with her kids so I stepped in and helped out. Now he's almost 2 years old and will be in daycare next month. I am so exciting getting back in photography. I miss it! Thanks for the list of the len.

I will have one wedding up coming in few months. And I have couple of clients next two weeks. I am suppose to get my new Canon 5d Mark ii in a month. I currently have Canon 50d and canon 50mm 1.8. I just need more len that can expand and not to limited myself in small room that 50mm won't do. My budget is doesn't matter now. Keep coming with what you guys prefer!

Also is there a easy book to teach myself how to use those wireless flash transmitter? I have never use it before and would love to learn it. Thanks again!

[ldelacruz]

70-200 2.8 IS
24-105 f4 IS
85 f1.2 II

[Richard DeYoung]

I would consider a 70 or 80 mm prime for portraits.

[luis_relampago]

anything above 80mm in a FF camera will be in that category, I love my 70-200 2.8L IS for portraits I honestly like my portraits in the range of 135 to 200mm wide open to blur and compress the background as much as possible, I do confess that I would love to have a 135 2.0L, 85 1.2L (Siggy 85 1.4 good copy) and the 35 1.4L......... just to daydreaming here.

[JohnT]

Since the 85 F1.2L II has been mentioned, I'll suggest the Sigma 85 F1.4 EX DG for half the price. It's sweet.

[Nikonfan]

Just curious of everyone elses opinion. I hear great things about using an 85mm prime for portraits on a crop sensor camera. How would an 85mm Macro work in comparrison. I am looking for a macro and while I already have portrait lenses, I was wondering if it might also come in handy for portraits. Thoughts?

[Outlaw]

I'm the frugal type, so consider my suggestions as from someone who is all about the bang-for-the-buck.

Everything I shoot is with a Tamron 17-50/2.8 or a Sigma 70-200/2.8. I have yet to discover a situation where either of these lenses has left me hanging, indoor or outdoor, weddings or portraiture.

I use the Tamron about 80% of the time. I only whip out the Sigma for certain looks for certain clients.

Save a couple hundred bucks and invest in an improv comedy workshop. The rapport your build with clients, the resultant natural and fun poses and expressions, and the bigger per-client sales averages will give you the money to buy whatever lenses you want. :-)

[Cope]

Doesn't Canon make a great 105mm lens?

[venchka]

Originally Posted by Cope

Doesn't Canon make a great 105mm lens?

Nope. They never have. 100mm only. Nikkor makes 105mm lenses.
Never the twain shall meet.

To the person asking about 85mm macro lens: Of course. If the maximum aperture isn't a problem. The shorter minimum focus could come in handy.

[brewercm]

Originally Posted by Nikonfan

Just curious of everyone elses opinion. I hear great things about using an 85mm prime for portraits on a crop sensor camera. How would an 85mm Macro work in comparrison. I am looking for a macro and while I already have portrait lenses, I was wondering if it might also come in handy for portraits. Thoughts?

If you want to get a good macro and good portrait lens for that I'd go with the Tamron 90mm. I also have the Nikon 85mm 1.8D which makes for a good portrait lens on crop sensor but I haven't used the 85mm macro. I also use my Nikon 105mm 2.8 VR macro as a portrait lens as well as macro, but costs twice as much as the Tamron.

[venchka]

Personally, I would find the 85 to 105 mm lenses a bit long on a small sensor. Unfortunately, there are few choices available between 50mm & 85mm. Unless you use a zoom lens. As a result, I tend to use my 70-200 for portraits. It works. It's not ideal. It is paid for which covers a lot of shortcomings.

[jdst622]

How does the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 lens compare with the Canon 70-200 2.8? I like the price of the Sigma but don't want to waist my $.