Portrait lens help

D

dlphotography

Suspended / Banned
Messages
556
Edit My Images
No
Im after a new lens i currently got a 50mm 1.8 and looking to get somthing good for portraits im shooting with a 350d.

Iv seen the sigma 17-70 is a good for the price but i was wondering if it would be better saving for the 24-105 L canon.

Or is any one else has any other good ideas please help me out.

Im not looking to spend more then £700 but i would prefer to spend less as im skint and might not have a job soon :(
 
the main lens I use for portraits is the Nikon 18-70 - I know you obviously shoot Canon, but I'd read reviews of the 17-70.

Are you going to be shooting in a studio?With any form of flash? Etc? Give us a little bit more information and it might help with the choice.
 
How much room do you have?

I love the nifty 50 for portraits, but we've got a nice big studio with plenty of room :)

The 24-70 2.8 (Sigma) is also good for portraits, which is what we use when we need a bit more versatility, i.e. kids that won't sit still!

:)
 
il be using it mostly outdoors and in house which is very limited space. I will be running up to 4 flashes off it aswell.
 
24-105 is an sharp contrasty well built lens and IS is a great help at times. Especially with slower shutter speeds. Great range too

24-70 is one stop faster and in some cases that is the difference in getting a shot or not! Between my 28-75 f2.8 and my 24-105, the Canon is used 95% of the time!
 
indoor - 50mm f/1.8
outdoor - 85mm f/1.8

the 24-105mm f4l, appart form being f4, also has a decidedly "rolled condom" look to background highlights. the 85mm f/1.8 is quite simply in a different league and would be ~135mm equiv. on the 350d. It's also only about £220.
 
85mm f/1.8 is well worth it, it is about £290-£300 for a new one at the moment, but it is absolutely amazing quality - you wouldn't regret it
 
I've got the Sigma 17-70mm, but only had it for 2 weeks so not really had a good play with it, so far it looks pretty good though. I bought the canon 50mm 1.8 the day after and I've been using that. I'll take some photos of my son later with the 17-70 and post them. The canon 85mm 1.8 is around £300.
 
But he's just said he'll be using it in the home, and thats limited space. I dont know but I wouldnt be able to shoot 85mm in my home. And I almost certainly couldnt do a full body shot! In home OR studio :lol:

I think realistically people need to look at what he has, and then offer advice. I think a zoom would be more suitable.

as ISL suggested, the 2.8lens, would be good for the out-doorsy stuff, and then make a good focal-length lens for a studio type enviroment/shooting in home. Where you dont have as much space.
 
dellipher said:
But he's just said he'll be using it in the home, and thats limited space. I dont know but I wouldnt be able to shoot 85mm in my home. And I almost certainly couldnt do a full body shot! In home OR studio :lol:

I think realistically people need to look at what he has, and then offer advice. I think a zoom would be more suitable.

as ISL suggested, the 2.8lens, would be good for the out-doorsy stuff, and then make a good focal-length lens for a studio type enviroment/shooting in home. Where you dont have as much space.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

I had a Nikon 85mm f/1.8 for portraits which gave amazing results but only when I had the space to do it justice. I have since replaced it with a Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 lens which covers both my indoor and outdoor requirements nicely.
 
DiddyDave said:
a decidedly "rolled condom" look to background highlights

I can't believe no-one's asked for an example of what that actually looks like to be so pleasantly described

:lol:

DD
Click to expand...

:lol:

I was about too :lol:

Id consider the 24-70 f2.8 option, but if the 50mm is too close for you and you want a prime, why not consider something like this:
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1007713

I have no experience with this lens, but its wider then your 50mm.
Id personally go with a 24-70f2.8
 
I think I would probably look at the 24-70 2.8 option, maybe search the forums for a secondhand canon or go for the sigma.
 
Here are a few I've just taken with my Sigma 17-70mm, on my 350D.

1

3266991266_84e2e3a251_o.jpg


2

3266991554_971a23865d_o.jpg


3

3266163803_1be3cfbc24_o.jpg


4

3266164281_b3b417b49e_o.jpg
 
What a wee cracker,nice shots.:):clap:
 
Can I ask why the 50mm isn't suitable enough for portraits? I've just bought one for mainly portraits, after hearing it's good (not so good though build quality wise). Obviously there are better lenses out there, but is it not good enough for you OP? I'm still waiting for it to arrive you see, so i'm hoping I havn't wasted 80 pounds!
 
Re 'Rolled Condom' look to OOF highlights on the 24-105F4L, this shot demonstrates it quite nicely. The blobs of light coming through the trees behind the subject are more intense around their circumference, an effect which isn't present on the 85mm f1.8 for example.

http://sittingbourneSPAMerver.com/downloads/photos/tp_shared/IMG_7966_edited-1-2.jpg
 
thanks for all reply's im more confused now lol.

The 85mm 1.8 looks like a great lens but i dont have the space to use it int he house for outdoors it would be great i think. But then i want to save money and get somthing i can use for in and outside.

Il look around for a 24-70 2.8 mabey il be lucky and find a cheap canon one.

Those shots look great on the 17-70 sigma the quality is fine are these straight from the camera?
 
NO sorry they were, tweaked a tiny bit. These are straight off the camera.

1

3267454234_ec33f9f0d9_o.jpg


2

3266628395_d7fb85659a_o.jpg


3

3266628229_9fb84c5f7e_o.jpg
 
He looked happier when you tweaked them! Does he know something????


;)
 
dlphotography said:
I will be running up to 4 flashes off it aswell.
Click to expand...

Tell us more about this.

And from what you've said, your 50mm f/1.8 sounds about perfect. Why do you want to change it?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top