What lens do YOU use for portraits / studio work?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RobbieW
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RobbieW

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Hi

There is no right or wrong answer to this, just after how people do this. When doing studio studio work what lens do people use?

I always use a 17-70 sigma, but I read an article a month or so ago by a pro who said he always used a 70-200 and today I have read an article by someone at the rps who says to use a 80-135mm.

What do you use? like I say no right or wrong answer just curious.

Rob
 
135L if I want the background OOF or 50mm 1.4. Neither would be ideal in a studio tho.
 
rwotton said:
I always use a 17-70 sigma, but I read an article a month or so ago by a pro who said he always used a 70-200 and today I have read an article by someone at the rps who says to use a 80-135mm.
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My money on them having a FF camera, and most of us here have a crop camera.

If i have a FF I'd use the 70-200 2.8 too.
 
Raymond Lin said:
My money on them having a FF camera, and most of us here have a crop camera.

If i have a FF I'd use the 70-200 2.8 too.
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A 70-200 equivalent is just about perfect for most portraiture work, and gives you the option of zooming in really close when you want to without actually getting physically too close to your subject. Your subject will relax all the more if you are not 'invading their space'.

But the 'right' lens depends on the subject and what you are trying to convey - there are even occasions when a wide-angle lens is the correct one to use.
Philip
www.photoactive.co.uk
www.philipdunn.blogspot.com
 
This is an interesting question. I'm looking at having a go at some studio work soon and have asked myself the same question as I have no obvious lens to use. I have primes at 20mm/1.8, 35mm/2, 50mm/1.4, 105mm/2 and 200mm/2, and 28-105mm f3.5-5.6 80-200mm f:2.8 zooms.

My initial thinking was the Nikkor 105mm AF-DC f:2 but maybe looking at the 28-105 AF-D too, even though it's not my best glass.
 
NorthernNikon said:
This is an interesting question. I'm looking at having a go at some studio work soon and have asked myself the same question as I have no obvious lens to use. I have primes at 20mm/1.8, 35mm/2, 50mm/1.4, 105mm/2 and 200mm/2, and 28-105mm f3.5-5.6 80-200mm f:2.8 zooms.

My initial thinking was the Nikkor 105mm AF-DC f:2 but maybe looking at the 28-105 AF-D too, even though it's not my best glass.
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I ahve always been against fixed length in a studio, as you never know how much space you have to move. so not an easy decision.

other people will swear by them.
 
rwotton said:
I ahve always been against fixed length in a studio, as you never know how much space you have to move. so not an easy decision.

other people will swear by them.
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Once you're set up I see the quality of a prime as the key reason, the only trouble is having the right prime for the size of studio I suppose, although the only focal lengths I'm missing would be 85mm and 135mm, both covered by my 80-200mm.
 
NorthernNikon said:
Once you're set up I see the quality of a prime as the key reason, the only trouble is having the right prime for the size of studio I suppose, although the only focal lengths I'm missing would be 85mm and 135mm, both covered by my 80-200mm.
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If I am in my controlled studio I know the limits and use 50mm 1.4 but favourite has to be 85mm 1.8. I only use 24-105mm if I have more than 2/3 people in the shot. However, I am now in possession of my new 70-200mm 2.8 IS and my next portrait session is on 15th Jan so my preference may change after that.

Oh! did I mention I have got my new lens:razz::lol: Sorry but I am sooooo happy.:lol::lol: ...must add it to my signature too;)
 
On my 400D if I'm all set-up to take portraits then I'll use my nifty-fifty to give, but more often than not for the off-the-cuff shots I find the flexibility of my 17-70 far more useful.
 
Gilly B said:
If I am in my controlled studio I know the limits and use 50mm 1.4 but favourite has to be 85mm 1.8. I only use 24-105mm if I have more than 2/3 people in the shot. However, I am now in possession of my new 70-200mm 2.8 IS and my next portrait session is on 15th Jan so my preference may change after that.
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You're shooting on a full frame 5D there though, whereas I'm on a 1.5x sensor. Hmm, going to have to get a few commissions to justify the D3!!!
 
My most used lens for studio portraits is the 70-200 but my favourite is the 300. That's with a 1.3 or FF sensor camera.

... and no, my studio is not especially big. :D
 
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