Canon 70-200 L f4 portrat tips

[Roblkoster]

Hi all,

First time threader!

Picking up this lens today...very excited! Using it with a 40D, and will be doing some portrait work very soon - mostly corporate studio stuff.

How have people found the lens for this type of work?

Also got a question: The 40D has a cropped sensor. As I understand it, 70mm is roughly around 100mm according to old 35mm rules. 135mm is the best focal length for portrait work as it is the most flattering on the face and the closest to what the eye sees, so the optimal focal length on the 40D would be around 80-85mm. Is that right?

Cheers, Rob

 

[RichardTaylor]

It is a good lens (I own one) and it does see rare use on a 40D, however I have never shot in a studio and do not have total control over my subject or shooting position for a lot of the photgraphs.

Traditionally for full frame (24x36mm) around 85mm was regarded as a portrait lens, not 135mm.

With a 1.6 crop camera the "equivalent" focal length would be around 50mm

For my own, almost always unposed, portraits I use whatever lens (on a full frame and 1.6 crop bodies) will help me fill the frame with the subject and give me a decent exposure without additional lighting.

The lenses range from a 35mm F2 to a 135mm F2 (for the primes) and from a "standard zoom" to a 100-400 for the zooms.

 

[stupar]

I use it for my studio portraiture however I use it on full frame.
Its a gem of a lens for portraits.

 

[Roblkoster]

I use it for my studio portraiture however I use it on full frame.
Its a gem of a lens for portraits.

Glad to hear its a good lens... Best lens I've ever owned bar none. So sharp and fast! Doing some proper shoots next week - very excited!!