CTphotogGuy Loc: Connecticut

Hello. This is my first time on this sight and I want to compliment you guys and ladies. Thus far, what I am picking up on, is that you all are just ordinary, yet quite knowledgeable (and probably very talented) folks who are not full of yourselves. Do you know how refreshing that is?! There are so many forums where there are SOooo many people who are bloated individuals who just like to hear themselves talk, drop jargon, etc.

Okay...to my question. If I am going to do portrait photography, can I do it with a zoom lens such as a 24-105, or a 24-70, and simply set it at portraiture length (50-70? Or do I need a dedicated portraiture lens? In other words, by using a zoom lens which is set to the proper focal length, will my portraits suffer in quality when compared to images that I would achieve by investing in a dedicated e.g. 50 mm lens? Thank you. Terry M.

GSP77 Loc: Danville, CA

What kind if camera do you have and how fast is the lens?

AntonioReyna Loc: Los Angeles, California

You can go either way. "Purists" will say that you have to have a prime lens, but I have gotten amazing results with Canon 24-105 on full frame body. Whether full frame or crop sensor, 80-100, with good composition, gives you a very nice portrait. I also like the Canon 85/1.8 lens for portraits. I used to have the Canon 135/2.8 soft focus lens which was very sharp and super for portraits.

CTphotogGuy Loc: Connecticut

haven't purchased it yet...probably a Canon Mark III

balticvid Loc: Queens now NJ

In my opinion the best focal lenses for portraits is 90mm to 105mm......
I prefer my Leica 90mm f2 or my Nikon 105mm f2.8

rocco_7155 Loc: Connecticut/Louisiana

Welcome nutmegger! Bristol boy here. Now in Louisiana.

CTphotogGuy Loc: Connecticut

showing my ignorance here....what is a prime lense?

CTphotogGuy Loc: Connecticut

Get outta town (meant euphemistically) I'm from Bristol too! Bristol Easter High - Class of 1968 !

GSP77 Loc: Danville, CA

I agree, this is a nice range for portraits. If you get a zoom, you will want to get a fast f/2.8 zoom. I personally use a 85mm f/1.8 for most of my portraits.

CTphotogGuy Loc: Connecticut

THat was supposed to be Bristol EasterN High, but you already know that :lol:

GSP77 Loc: Danville, CA

Not a zoom lens. It's a single focal length. My main portrait lens is an 85mm f/1.8

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Fixed focal length lens. In other words, not a zoom lens

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

A 24-105mm would be just fine because you're not at the fully extended zoom length to achieve the 70-85mm focal length you desire. A dedicated lens may be a slight bit crisper but unless you have a real reason for it, such as doing a lot of portraits or running a portrait studio, the investment isn't really warranted unless you have money to burn.

What would matter more is whether you're currently using a lower quality 24-105mm kit lens versus a higher quality 24-105mm (typically two different animals completely) when comparing a zoom to a dedicated fixed focal length prime lens which certainly is built with a high grade of glass.

Rent a higher end fixed lens from a national rental company and compare to your zoom. If you can see a difference you're ready for buying one. If you can't, stick with what you have and do your best with it.

Investigate inexpensive DxO Optics Pro software which will have profiles for your specific camera and your specific zoom lens in it. Convert your RAW files to 16-bit TIFF and simply run your files through DxO Optics Pro so it can alter them to compensate for the weaknesses of your specific equipment pieces. It will convert your RAWs if you like but I like to do my own in any Adobe software which has a superior converter. You'd be amazed at the improvement DxO can make though. They have a trial version so you can try it out.

BTW, you just haven't been around long enough to see the bloated individuals who just like to hear themselves talk, drop jargon, etc. - bragging repeatedly and reiterating their resume of decades of photographic experience to top anyone who argues a point so they can remain Kings of Their Imaginary Hills. They're here and some are quite repulsive about it so just keep watching. But welcome anyway!

CTphotogGuy Loc: Connecticut

Thank you so much !

CTphotogGuy Loc: Connecticut

thank you very much