Favorite Portrait Lens

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lynda Ott Albright on February 4, 2011 at 11:54am

Canon 50mm 1.8 by far.  Inexpensive, lightweight and since I shoot natural light, I get the best quality with it!

Permalink Reply by Kacy S on February 15, 2011 at 8:26am

I shoot natural light as well so I am so VERY excited you promoted this lense!  I have been checking it out and have now ordered it.  Thanks for the recommendation, Lynda.

Permalink Reply by Kevin B. Winebold on March 4, 2011 at 11:30pm

I have the 50mm 1.8, which I use for portraits in my home studio and love it. When I shoot headshots and fashion images outdoors, though, I use the Canon 70-300. Headshots at 70mm give me enough distance that facial features aren't distorted and I choose areas where the subject is still far enough from the background for good blur. And for fashion images, I adored the range. I can be far enough from the model that they don't feel like I'm interrupting the scene, but I can also really zoom in and get great close-ups as well. It's been my best investment thus far!

Permalink Reply by Aldrin Joseph on March 7, 2011 at 11:04am

Hmm, which one is that canon 70-300mm

Permalink Reply by Kevin B. Winebold on March 7, 2011 at 12:35pm

Oh, sorry!  It's the Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6.  If you check out my headshot album, every single one of those images was shot with that baby!

Permalink Reply by Jalexa Photography on May 3, 2011 at 8:53am

I don't see it mentioned here, but my favorite portrait lens is the Canon 85mm f/1.8. It's a sharp little lens, doesn an excellent job of separating subject from background, and blurs the background beautifully.

Permalink Reply by Kaz Thorpe on May 11, 2011 at 9:57pm

actually looking to purchase a new one.  Canon 50mm f1/2 is bit expensive ... Sigma 50mm f1/4 gets mixed reviews - thinking of 17-50mm for my canon 7d - with APS_C sensor may be nice for full length

Permalink Reply by Jalexa Photography on May 18, 2011 at 6:15am

I have the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and love it. I use it on my Canon 50d. Is that the one you're looking to purchase?

Permalink Reply by Richelle Anderson on February 29, 2012 at 4:44pm

With any lens try before you buy. If you are networked with local photogs borrow one or rent it from a local or online store. I have a few lenses that I just thought I had to have but hardly use them...