georgeretired Loc: Manitoba Canada

Most of my photography is wild life and landscapes. Dabbled in portraits but always carry 2 or 3 lens to see what works the best.
My question to experienced portrait photographers is what is a great lens without breaking the bank. I shoot with a Canon 50D, have a canon 10-22 lens, canon 50 1.8 prime lens, canon 24-70. My other lens are all telescopic from the 70-200 up to a 150-500. I'm shooting early afternoon in a hall with some natural light and setting up in a corner with a back drop and lights. I am taking pictures using a tripod of guests after they sign the guest book at a 50th Wedding Anniversary "tea party". The finished products will be sent to be published as a keep sake for the special couple. I may use My Publisher to do the book.
Any suggestions would be great.... Thanking you in advance.

Wendy2 Loc: California

The 24-70 is good and you can also use your 70-200, just keep it around 100. You don't need to buy any more lenses, you are set with what you have.

Just realized I have a full frame camera, so the 100 setting on your 70-200 might not be right. Others with crop sensors can clarify that.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

The 70-200 is a great portrait lens...rack that baby out to the 200 end and have at it.

On second thought...what framing are you thinking about?

Full body standing?

Sitting?

Half?

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

George, you have all the lenses you need. It of course depends on your artistic goal. Of course a portrait can be taken with any lens, but the longer lenses give a more flattering perspective, IF you have the room to shoot them.
Use the 24-70 and the 70-200 and experiment, especially at the longer lengths. I've used a 600mm with great success outdoors. You need 75' just to get a head shot but the compression and bokeh are exceptional!! :lol:
Good luck
SS

Photocraig

I shoot with a 50D and just finished taking a Portrait class. I wanted to use my 90mm Tamron 2.8 lens. The class was in a huge pro studio. The 90mm on the small sensor caused me to be too far away. I dug up my old 35-105mm 3.5-5.6 lens and shot the full length shots at about 35-45mm without being in the parking lot. The 90mm and above lengths with a crop sensor works fine for head and the top of shoulders portraits. I suspect yours will be full or 3/4 lengths to show the (womens') clothes.

Another tip, my 30 year old "kit lens" wasn't so razor sharp to show every detail of my models' costumes. Nor would it be unflattering for many of the seasoned but still lovely guests' faces.

I suggest that you mount a flash off camera to get optimal lighting and allow for sweet spot aperture exposures of f5.6 or f 8 where even my inexpensive lens can compete with the pricey glass and for DOF essential for portraits of couples. Proper use of shutter speed will include or black out the background if necessary.

Fill the frame and start a conversation with your subjects to get the best relaxed and cheerful expressions. Have fun and be SURE to make the ladies look great, and tell them so. Those are the best smiles!

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

use the 24-70

georgeretired Loc: Manitoba Canada

Thanks for everyone's reply on my post. I will have limited distance from the subjects. Most of the pictures will be taken of couples and I was planning on shoot waist high but with enough visibility on the shot to either crop back or move into shoulder cut. I will bring a bar size stool to use if needed.

mmeador

I'm a Nikon user but I would go with the 50mm 1.8 prime. I prefer a 35mm but the 50mm would be my second choice. You should be able to get good results if you open your apperture and limit the DOF.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Take all your lenses and see which works in the location best. That way you are covered. You have the full gamut of lenses, I see no additional are needed you even have a large aperture lens, the 50mm which on your camera appears as an 80mm which has been considered the portrait lens length.

Kingmapix Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Use you 50mm f/1.8. It is well suited for portrait photography using C-sized sensors.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Your 50 1.8 might be all you need. But it would be easier if you could elaborate on what you are looking for in a portrait lens - bokeh, working distance, etc.