A better lens than the 20mm for portraits-family occasions???

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oymd

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Hello every one..

I currently use my 20mm on my G2 for almost all shots, however I do not like the portrait pictures I take of family, my daughter , etc...

They just don't look right...

I like it for taking pictures of scenery in and around London, especially in low light, but when it comes to family occasions, or just taking pics of my 5 year old...I am not happy with the results..

I like the 14-42 a lot, but hate its size, and VERY poor performance in low light...

Can some one advice me on an alternative lens for portraits and family occasions

P.S. I already have a Nissen 466, so flash and lighting is covered..

Many thanks
 
What is it that you don't like about the 20mm results?
Other options for primes would be the 14mm or the 45mm, I would think.
An alternative to the kit lens would be the 14-42mm PZ. Similar spec to the standard 14-42mm, but the Power Zoom is much smaller.
 
Isn't 20mm too small for portrait shots? Lots of distortion I guess?
 
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Mandoo said:
What is it that you don't like about the 20mm results?
Other options for primes would be the 14mm or the 45mm, I would think.
An alternative to the kit lens would be the 14-42mm PZ. Similar spec to the standard 14-42mm, but the Power Zoom is much smaller.
Click to expand...

The pics peerspective just dont look right..

Portraits look...ditorted...not flat...

i'm struggling to explain my self..:thinking:
 
I'm not 100% certain, but I think they've gone for as little as £200 in the classifieds section here. Im sure they're not normally as high as £750 on general sale anyway.

Edit: just seen that the link is for the Panasonic 45mm which is a lot more expensive than the Olympus as it has IS inbuilt. The Olympus is only £230 new.
 
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The 45mm is lovely, but it's headshots only indoors.

Sigma do a cheap 30mm f2.8 prime that's supposed to be pretty good. Lots of image threads for these on the mu43 forum...apologies to mods if not supposed to mention other places!
 
oymd said:
The pics peerspective just dont look right..

Portraits look...ditorted...not flat...

i'm struggling to explain my self..:thinking:
Click to expand...

Perspective "distortion" is caused by the close camera to subject distance. I guess that you'd get this if taking a tight head shot but anything other than that should be ok but if not increase the distance and there shouldn't be any.

If you want a tighter looking shot you could crop a less tight shot but if that doesn't give you the image size you want then the only option is to use a longer lens at a greater camera to subject distance.

45mm? 75mm? Although personally I like to be within shouting distance so 75mm or anything longer would be pushing it for me.

PS. You could go for an old Olympus/Minolta/Canon FD/whoever 50mm f1.8 and adapter if you fancy some cheap manual lens fun.
 
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woof woof said:
Perspective "distortion" is caused by the close camera to subject distance. I guess that you'd get this if taking a tight head shot but anything other than that should be ok but if not increase the distance and there shouldn't be any.

If you want a tighter looking shot you could crop a less tight shot but if that doesn't give you the image size you want then the only option is to use a longer lens at a greater camera to subject distance.

45mm? 75mm? Although personally I like to be within shouting distance so 75mm or anything longer would be pushing it for me.

PS. You could go for an old Olympus/Minolta/Canon FD/whoever 50mm f1.8 and adapter if you fancy some cheap manual lens fun.
Click to expand...

I picked up a while ago here on the forums an M42 adapter...

Intended to do just what you suggest, but never had the time to..

Can you point me to some nice primes I can use with that adaptor?

Thanks
 
M42? Could be expensive. I was thinking more of Canon FD, Olympus, Pentax or Minolta etc... but maybe someone else can think of something...
 
There is a series of images here - http://www.stepheneastwood.com/tutorials/lensdistortion/tilepage.htm - which demonstrate the problems created when shooting tight with a lens which is too short. The focal lengths shown are based on a full frame sensor, so for MFT I think your 20mm lens would be roughly equivalent to 40mm, which isn't shown, but will be quite close to the 35mm example. If you want to shoot tight headshots you need a longer lens. Otherwise step back, frame loosely and then crop. Full length should really be no problem with what you have.

There is also a video covering the same topic here....

[YOUTUBE]ZRoqNx9rlVA[/YOUTUBE]
 
tdodd said:
There is a series of images here - http://www.stepheneastwood.com/tutorials/lensdistortion/tilepage.htm - which demonstrate the problems created when shooting tight with a lens which is too short. The focal lengths shown are based on a full frame sensor, so for MFT I think your 20mm lens would be roughly equivalent to 40mm, which isn't shown, but will be quite close to the 35mm example. If you want to shoot tight headshots you need a longer lens. Otherwise step back, frame loosely and then crop. Full length should really be no problem with what you have.

There is also a video covering the same topic here....

[YOUTUBE]ZRoqNx9rlVA[/YOUTUBE]
Click to expand...


WOW....that's a very handy bit of advice...

many thanks....will take that on board..
 
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