Canon lens

Paintedhead123

Paintedhead123

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Jason
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Hi guys, I just wondered if anyone could help. I have a canon 550d with the 18mm 55mm Is lens, what I was wanting to know is would the canon 17mm 85mm be any better for portraite shots. If yes what the benifits would be.

Cheers

Jason:)
 
I've had the 17-85 and it's a far better lens - it's basically a good walkabout lens. You'll probably struggle to use anything below 50mm if it's just for portraits so the 17-50 zoom range may be wasted. The aperture range on the 17-85 won't give you much scope in terms of achieving a shallow depth of field (blurred background). My advice would be to try a 50mm f/1.8 on your cropped sensor first as they're really cheap and extremely sharp, whilst being very good in low light (AF tends to hunt though).
 
You would be better off getting the canon 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.8, 24-70mm f2.8 or 70-200mm for portraits. The 17-85mm average at best.
 
I have both 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.8 and find the 50mm best for portrait shots with the crop sensor of my 450D as it is the equivalent of an 80mm in full frame.

The 50mm f/1.4 (or the cheaper f/1.8 as suggested by Shane) would give you the advantage of a wider aperture which will give you the shallow depth of field you need.
 
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Hi guys, thanks for your advice on the lens. I will have a look around and do some reading on what 's been suggested.

Cheers

Jason
 
The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 is an excellent lens for portraits, and a big step up from kit lens, It is almost L lens quality for crop Canon dslr. but everyone should have a niffty fifty as well, be that the f1/4 or the plastic fantastic f1.8. Also consider getting a 70-200mm these give great brokeh for portaits and the canon f4 are excellent but if you can afored one a 70-200mm f2.8 is the best.
 
All depends on budget at the end of the day, there are many great lenses out there for portrait work! Have to decide if you want zoom or a prime as well.
 
Hi Guys, thanks for taking the time to reply. I am new to lens buying so alot of these numbers are confusing lol, but I will do some reading and learning. My budget is a possible £400 plus what ever I can get for my 18mm 55mm.

Thanks

Jason
 
Another for 17-85mm and a 50mm prime...
I've both, the 17-85 came with my 40D, and the 50mm f/1.8 was about 50 quid from the US...a must buy really. I love portrait pics, and I'll be upgrading to the 50mm f/1.4 soon, and I'm even contemplating the expensive 35mm f/1.4....
So in short if you can get hold of both the 17-85 & 50 1.8....you'll be very happy and it should come to 450/500 (maby alot less) depending where you pick them up and if you want new or secondhand...
 
The first lens I bought after the kit was a nifty, I plumped for the older metal body rather than the plastic fantastic...but they are both great!
 
Everyone needs a fast prime! 50mm f1.8: Best lens your ever buy pound for pound.
50mm f1.4: Better than the above.
 
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