Question about Canon 1.2 or 1.8 lens for portraits.
May 30, 2013 23:38:37 #
One of our photo club members wants to rent one of these lenses for a Senior portrait shoot. He wants to know which is best. Since I don't shoot portraits and would never use one of those lenses (Wildlife Photographer), I said I would ask what the hedgehogs think.
May 31, 2013 02:24:13 #
DK wrote:
One of our photo club members wants to rent one of these lenses for a Senior portrait shoot. He wants to know which is best. Since I don't shoot portraits and would never use one of those lenses (Wildlife Photographer), I said I would ask what the hedgehogs think.
DK, of course the 1.2 is always better, it's a lot more lens. but for senior shots it's only advantage would be bokeh since he will most likely use flash. If your friend is using a FF, then the only 1.2 option is the 85.
I'd love to have one for that perfect nose to ears focus.
Though he may get more mileage out of a 70-200, 2.8. VERY nice compression at the longer lengths. He can also get full body and tight shots without moving. Time is of the essence with some teenagers.
Good luck
May 31, 2013 09:10:24 #
ole sarg
Loc: south florida
Use the 50mm at about f8 you will have good depth of field, sharpness, etc. If he is shooting canon or nikon can buy one for about $125 and use it for the rest of his life.
May 31, 2013 09:13:47 #
DK wrote:
One of our photo club members wants to rent one of these lenses for a Senior portrait shoot. He wants to know which is best. Since I don't shoot portraits and would never use one of those lenses (Wildlife Photographer), I said I would ask what the hedgehogs think.
I've owned the 1.2L, and the 1.4.
The 1.2L is a very high end lens but it's a bit soft wide open.
The 1.4 is is also a bit soft wide open but he's likely to be shooting at f/8 or so, so that won't matter.
The 1.4 is "basically" 90% the lens that the 1.2L is if you're not talking about build quality, or a nit-picker over bokeh...in other words...the images will be fine either way.
But 50mm is a bit short for anything other than "full body" portraits....I'd be much more inclined to rent the 85mm f/1.2L.
May 31, 2013 09:26:58 #
ole sarg wrote:
Use the 50mm at about f8 you will have good depth of field, sharpness, etc. If he is shooting canon or nikon can buy one for about $125 and use it for the rest of his life.
Amen .
May 31, 2013 09:40:19 #
rpavich wrote:
I've owned the 1.2L, and the 1.4. br br The 1.2L ... (show quote)
For head shots ; 85 TO 135 . For head to waist ; a fifty will do fine . I've both 85 and 135 " L " lenses . The 85 is wonderful . The 135 is beyond description . Both were bought used in as new condition .The 85 is the original non - I.s. version and I'm very happy with it.
May 31, 2013 10:23:02 #
If this person wants to shoot portraits, f1.2 or f1.4 has way to short of depth of field for portraits. You can buy a lens with this kind of aperture, but you want to be shooting around f5.6 or f8 which on all lenses will be your sharpest point, along with not distorting your images from nose to ear on your subjects.
May 31, 2013 10:31:50 #
alann
Loc: Virginia
Be aware that shooting at 1.2 is not easy. If you shoot at a 45 degree angle and focus on the closest eye, the other eye will be out of focus. If the subject moves, even a little, your shot is trashed. A good source of info on canon lenses is "the digital picture". By the way, the 85L is very sharp from center to edge at 1.2. It is my favorite portrait and street lens.
May 31, 2013 12:08:42 #
if as some here say,you are shooting a still subject at f 5.6-8.0, then a 2.8 would do just fine. many tout the tamron 90mm f2.8 for macro and portraits.
May 31, 2013 12:10:45 #
May 31, 2013 12:45:55 #
bull drink water wrote:
if as some here say,you are shooting a still subject at f 5.6-8.0, then a 2.8 would do just fine. many tout the tamron 90mm f2.8 for macro and portraits.
True about the Tamron .. Excellent . Whether for macro or headshots . For both uses I recommend manual focus .
May 31, 2013 15:16:16 #
I like 100 F2 for either FF or crop frame - very versatile.......
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