confused - 50mm or 85mm for portraits?

[HopefulM]

I'm thinking about a new lens.....

NCFE tutor tells me the best for portraiture is 75mm or 85mm fixed, and he commented if I go for a 50mm lens (f/1.4) it would only be suitable for full length portraits. :shrug:

The pics I've seen using a 50mm f/1.4 (or f/1.8) have been head shots....

I'm now confused and feel I can't 'move forward' in what I'd like to do :shrug:

Portrait people - what do you think of this advice?

thanks

 

[this_is_gav]

Personally I try to use a 30mm Sigma (brilliant lens) for full-length and a 50mm Nikon 1.4 for head and shoulder shots on a crop camera. I say try as I find myself needing the flexibility of a zoom for our school prom shoots, where I need both full body and upper body at the same time - in that sense I can advice against the 17-70mm Sigma - while it's a cracking walk-about, it's crap for portraits - it's quite soft in the eyes compared to my primes (obviously, but I mean disappointingly soft) and focussing in less than ideal light is a real weakness.

A 50mm and 85mm would be an ideal for me on full frame, but it's a bit too far for me on crop, personally.

If the flexibility of a zoom is needed then I'd consider a Nikon 24-70 f2.8 or perhaps even a Tamron 17-50 f2.8.

A rather obvious rule with focal length for portraits is how close you can get to the subject while not making them feel uncomfortable. If in doubt, you want to be further back.

 

[HopefulM]

thanks Gavin - sounds like the nikon 1.4 is the way to go (which is what I'd almost settled on originally )

thanks!

 

[TheBigYin]

Definitely sounds like the tutor was quoting lens lengths for full frame rather than crop sensors.

 

[bobiscuit]

I don't personally like how close I have to get for a head and shoulders shot with a 50mm (on a crop body).

The only lens I really use for portraits now is my Tamron 28-75mm, at 75mm. If I could afford a decent longer lens, I'd get one. I have an old manual 135mm that gives really nice head and shoulder shots without getting too close to the subject.

 

[HopefulM]

I don't personally like how close I have to get for a head and shoulders shot with a 50mm (on a crop body).

The only lens I really use for portraits now is my Tamron 28-75mm, at 75mm. If I could afford a decent longer lens, I'd get one. I have an old manual 135mm that gives really nice head and shoulder shots without getting too close to the subject.

thats interesting - how close do you have to get? I'd say that I'm normally 1.5 - 3 metres (just using kit lens), I'd appreciate your advice.

 

[StewartR]

This article by Bob Atkins gives a good account of the factors influencing the choice of focal length for portraits.

The short version:
- on a full-frame camera, use 80-135mm for head-and-shoulders portraits, and around 50mm for full-length portraits
- on a crop-sensor camera, use 50-85mm for head-and-shoulders, and around 35mm for full-length
- err on the side of too long rather than too short

 

[HopefulM]

This article by Bob Atkins gives a good account of the factors influencing the choice of focal length for portraits.

The short version:
- on a full-frame camera, use 80-135mm for head-and-shoulders portraits, and around 50mm for full-length portraits
- on a crop-sensor camera, use 50-85mm for head-and-shoulders, and around 35mm for full-length
- err on the side of too long rather than too short

thanks - still looking like the 50mm f/1.4

 

[LongLensPhotography]

85mm for crop, this will give just over 1m for headshot. On FF 85mm looks a bit short for head and shoulders. 50mm on crop is half length max, and it looks horrible if you get any closer. The ears get small, and the nose gets very long.