What are the best studio lens?
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Dr_O
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There are no specific studio lenses- there are ideal lenses for given situations but you have not described what you are looking to do.
We don't know if this is a professional studio with lots of room or an 8x8 box room converted to a 'studio'. Also, are we talking portraits- full length/ H&S etc or product shots- macro territory. What effect you are going for? Too many variables.
Really all you are asking is what makes a good lens to which the answer is workmanship. Clearly larger aperture lenses have more flexibility but if you only intend to ever shoot at say f8 then buying the fastest lens out there would probably be unnecessary. In a studio environment zoom range shouldn't be an issue- you should have control over positioning- of lights/subject/photographer and lens selection- otherwise what is the point in being in a studio.
Lenses I like for portraits are 70-200mm f2.8, 85mm f1.4, 135mm f2. Not a fan of 50mm or 35mm - plenty seem to like that focal length but I prefer longer lengths for portraits. I don't do much product photography but the 105 f2.8 has always worked well.
At the end of the day your own style has to come into it as well. As you are getting back into taking more studio shots you should already have a good grasp of what you are trying to achieve and what focal lengths you tend to favour?
We don't know if this is a professional studio with lots of room or an 8x8 box room converted to a 'studio'. Also, are we talking portraits- full length/ H&S etc or product shots- macro territory. What effect you are going for? Too many variables.
Really all you are asking is what makes a good lens to which the answer is workmanship. Clearly larger aperture lenses have more flexibility but if you only intend to ever shoot at say f8 then buying the fastest lens out there would probably be unnecessary. In a studio environment zoom range shouldn't be an issue- you should have control over positioning- of lights/subject/photographer and lens selection- otherwise what is the point in being in a studio.
Lenses I like for portraits are 70-200mm f2.8, 85mm f1.4, 135mm f2. Not a fan of 50mm or 35mm - plenty seem to like that focal length but I prefer longer lengths for portraits. I don't do much product photography but the 105 f2.8 has always worked well.
At the end of the day your own style has to come into it as well. As you are getting back into taking more studio shots you should already have a good grasp of what you are trying to achieve and what focal lengths you tend to favour?
ihatefootball
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A used Nikon 35-70 f2.8 .On your D90 it will act as a 50-105 ,a old one but nice
EOS_JD
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If you mean using studio flash then In the studio you are predominantly shooting at faisly small apertures like f8 (not always). If you are then most lenses will be at their sharpest around that area.
Longer lenses have less distortion and look best for portraits (in the 100-200mm range)
Longer lenses have less distortion and look best for portraits (in the 100-200mm range)
DarioAlba
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How big is your studio? What kind of studio shots you like to do. I mean, if you have a middle size garage and you want shoot at more thyan one person, you neet a wide angle lens. from the other side if you have a great space you can chose different lenses.
Bascally prime lenses are better, talking about distortion, price and sharpness. But you need to budget 2 or more lens ( my goal is a 35mm, a 50mm and 85mm)
And the most of work in a studio ambient is done by the light. Modifer, flashes, tripods...
But whithout knowing the size of the place where you shoot,i'ts hard to suggest something, in my opinion.
Bascally prime lenses are better, talking about distortion, price and sharpness. But you need to budget 2 or more lens ( my goal is a 35mm, a 50mm and 85mm)
And the most of work in a studio ambient is done by the light. Modifer, flashes, tripods...
But whithout knowing the size of the place where you shoot,i'ts hard to suggest something, in my opinion.
EOS_JD
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Make your own mind up. Here's an image from the web showing the effect of changing focal length and how it affects your images
Notice how anything wider than about 70mm looks odd. The longer the f/l the more natural the look.
Notice how anything wider than about 70mm looks odd. The longer the f/l the more natural the look.
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DarioAlba
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That's because you're very close to the subject. I agree to you if we spoke about portrait picture, but if you shoot not so close (full person portrait) with a 35mm or even a 28mm it is not SO bad (okay, it is not the best but not so bad either), except on the border of image.
But returning on topic asking the "best studio lens" without mentioning the subject sounds like weird question.
EOS_JD
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If you keep the subject in the centre of the image - away from the edges you will not see the distortion the same - but it's still there. Longer lenses are more flattering for portraiture
But I agree really we need to know what the OP plans to shoot
But I agree really we need to know what the OP plans to shoot
D
