portrait lenses for canon T5i (Page 2): For her camera, EF 85mm f/1.8usm would be a great portrait lens. $449.00usd (new) or the EF-S 60mmf/2.8 Macro usm $379.99usd (refurb). Either...

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

john.punky1 wrote:

My daughter is a teacher. She has been borrowing m... (show quote)

For her camera, EF 85mm f/1.8usm would be a great portrait lens. $449.00usd (new) or the EF-S 60mmf/2.8 Macro usm $379.99usd (refurb). Either might give her the ability to shoot several different areas. GL

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

john.punky1 wrote:

My daughter is a teacher. She has been borrowing m... (show quote)

Punky, this is gonna sound radical but assuming she got the standard 2 kit lenses I would suggest she just use what she has, they will do a fine job. If she were a pro, then by all means get some nice primes.
So here comes the radical part. Since I sense a bit of a gas leak here, tell her or bets yet GET HER a Canon 600ex flash and a 5in1 reflector.
No matter how fast a lens is, it's not even close to how fast a flash is! :lol:
The background can be controlled by the distance to it.
Once she masters the flash and reflector to her pics will look every bit as good as any pros. Just saying
SS

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

amehta wrote:

It's pretty easy to guess about the lenses: an 18-55mm, 18-135mm, or 55-250mm are most likely. A lens like the 85mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.4 would give much better image quality at large apertures, f/5.6 or faster. The kit lenses have a maximum aperture of f/3.5, so f/2.8 is not even an option. Everyone has their own style, and I often use f/2.8-4 for portraits, especially of one person.

That's exactly what I'm asking; which is it?

The ones you mentioned cover every focal length from 18mm to 250mm!

I often shoot at f/5.6 and f/8 for portraits.

I'm just trying to figure out if the OP is getting into the "buy something because someone told me to..." and not even understanding what the current equipment can do...that's all....it's a UHH disease.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

SharpShooter wrote:

Punky, this is gonna sound radical but assuming sh... (show quote)

I would wager that with good lighting (a $60.00 speed light and a $15.00 umbrella) her kit lens would look spectacular and she'd be shooting at f/5.6 or f/8. (Just ask Cliff (aka Capt'n) what aperture he shoots portraits at)

amehta Loc: Boston

rpavich wrote:

That's exactly what I'm asking; which is it?

The ones you mentioned cover every focal length from 18mm to 250mm!

I often shoot at f/5.6 and f/8 for portraits.

I'm just trying to figure out if the OP is getting into the "buy something because someone told me to..." and not even understanding what the current equipment can do...that's all....it's a UHH disease.

I don't think it really matters which kit lens it is, for me it is less about focal length than the maximum aperture, the quality of the bokeh, and the overall image quality. As I said, I do tend to shoot portraits at f/5.6 and faster. I also believe the "keeper" rate with a prime like an 85mm f/1.8 will generally be higher than with any of the T5i kit lenses, partly because the image quality is simply better and partly because the autofocus will be better.

If the OP has any disease, it's the "I like my primes, so my daughter should get one too."

If the daughter was just enjoying herself, I would agree with the "learn your current equipment first" approach. But it sounds like she has already been "commissioned" for sessions, so she has less time to experiment.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

amehta wrote:

I don't think it really matters which kit lens it is, for me it is less about focal length than the maximum aperture, the quality of the bokeh, and the overall image quality. As I said, I do tend to shoot portraits at f/5.6 and faster. I also believe the "keeper" rate with a prime like an 85mm f/1.8 will generally be higher than with any of the T5i kit lenses, partly because the image quality is simply better and partly because the autofocus will be better.

I understand that, but she has 85mm covered and she can shoot at f/3.5 which is plenty fast enough without opening the wallet and I'd bet that with a speed light and umbrella...she'd she'd get bleeding-sharp images with great IQ...been there done that.

I'm just offering up the idea that the solution to every problem isn't another lens...that's all.

amehta Loc: Boston

rpavich wrote:

I understand that, but she has 85mm covered and she can shoot at f/3.5 which is plenty fast enough without opening the wallet and I'd bet that with a speed light and umbrella...she'd she'd get bleeding-sharp images with great IQ...been there done that.

I'm just offering up the idea that the solution to every problem isn't another lens...that's all.

She can't shoot at f/3.5 at 85mm, the kit lenses are all variable aperture.

The question isn't whether she (or you) get some bleeding-sharp images, the question is what percentage of images are bleeding-sharp, especially in a variety of shooting situations.

I agree that there may not be a problem in need of a solution. But if she starts shooting with her T5i and decides that the results were not as good as she was getting with her father's equipment, he now has some options to suggest.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

rpavich wrote:

I understand that, but she has 85mm covered and she can shoot at f/3.5 which is plenty fast enough without opening the wallet and I'd bet that with a speed light and umbrella...she'd she'd get bleeding-sharp images with great IQ...been there done that.

I'm just offering up the idea that the solution to every problem isn't another lens...that's all.

I agree, and what was mentioned was shooting some families.
You can't shoot 3 or 4 people or more with a fast aperture unless you've got them all in a straight (curved) line, or some will NOT be in focus!
Fast is best for solo shots and then the creativity needs to harmonize with the look of the shot to pull off a shallow dof look. ;-)
SS

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

amehta wrote:

I don't think it really matters which kit lens it ... (show quote)

The problem with the daughter learning her equipment first is twofold: First, lost or muffed shots and not knowing the reason why; Second, loss of interest in photography because the results aren't as good as what she's seen elsewhere or what she thinks she should be getting. To be presented the right lens for that body for portraiture would make it all click for her in one fell swoop, I think. :D

amehta Loc: Boston

lukan wrote:

The problem with the daughter learning her equipment first is twofold: First, lost or muffed shots and not knowing the reason why; Second, loss of interest in photography because the results aren't as good as what she's seen elsewhere or what she thinks she should be getting. To be presented the right lens for that body for portraiture would make it all click for her in one fell swoop, I think. :D

:thumbup: