Wanted for Canon - Portraits (Page 2): Just my 2 cents worth here. With your Rebel you are not going to have as much DOF control as you would with a full frame. If you are looking at...

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

deg122 wrote:

I'm pretty new so not positive what's the best way to go on a fairly limited budget. It's been recommended I look at a 24-70mm F2.8 but can't afford that unless someone is generous with a price on a used one......Or a 50mm good prime lens. Open to suggestions and help. Thanks.

Just my 2 cents worth here. With your Rebel you are not going to have as much DOF control as you would with a full frame. If you are looking at DOF examples be sure you are looking at crop-sensor examples. Having said that, in my opinion, DOF control is more important in portraiture that sharpness is. If your portraiture is studio type where you have plenty of time for working with setting you should consider some old M42 prime or zoom lenses with 2.8 to 1.4 apertures and use adapters. You will have to work them fully manual. The adapters are cheap on Amazon. Some stores have several for $5. Some good ones for $10 have the focus chips in them and they work well. Many of the old lenses are sharp and have good color control and you can get decent DOF control for a low price.

alissaspieces Loc: New York

Honestly, I have a 50mm 1.8 and an 85 mm 1.8 and for portraits I would always choose the 85mm every time unless I was doing a larger group photo. Go 85, even on a cropped sensor. You will have more compression which looks nice for portraits. If you can swing it, a 70-200 is amazing and very versatile. That is what I am using mostly now. But before I got the 70-200 I used my 85 constantly. I would still use it but I have gotten lazy. :)

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

alissaspieces wrote:

Honestly, I have a 50mm 1.8 and an 85 mm 1.8 and for portraits I would always choose the 85mm every time unless I was doing a larger group photo. Go 85, even on a cropped sensor. You will have more compression which looks nice for portraits. If you can swing it, a 70-200 is amazing and very versatile. That is what I am using mostly now. But before I got the 70-200 I used my 85 constantly. I would still use it but I have gotten lazy. :)

Lets clarify, I think your referring to a 70-200L F/2.8

I have a 70-200L F/4

There is a difference for that shallow DOF between those 2 lenses. I also have a 85mm F/1.8. I would choose the 85mm over my 70-200 F/4 but I would agree the F/2.8 would be just as good. When I use the 85mm I'm usually at F/2.8 for individuals ;)

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

I have a 70-200 f/4 and find I get blur with nice Bokeh on Head & Shoulder shots. You can always set the f/2.8 at f/4. - dave

alissaspieces Loc: New York

Yes..sorry, I should have clarified. 70-200 2.8 and I use the Tamron and am VERY happy.

Beercat wrote:

Lets clarify, I think your referring to a 70-200L F/2.8

I have a 70-200L F/4

There is a difference for that shallow DOF between those 2 lenses. I also have a 85mm F/1.8. I would choose the 85mm over my 70-200 F/4 but I would agree the F/2.8 would be just as good. When I use the 85mm I'm usually at F/2.8 for individuals ;)

billybob40

You send me a PM and you will get it.

carl hervol Loc: jacksonville florida

I hate to be dum what is DOF?

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

carl hervol wrote:

I hate to be dum what is DOF?

depth of field

carl hervol Loc: jacksonville florida

Thank you just was not thinking.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

deg122 wrote:

I'm pretty new so not positive what's the best way to go on a fairly limited budget. It's been recommended I look at a 24-70mm F2.8 but can't afford that unless someone is generous with a price on a used one......Or a 50mm good prime lens. Open to suggestions and help. Thanks.

Hey, I have the Canon 50mm f/1.8 that I can send you for $75 I pay shipping. I bought it for a gift for my son thinking it was a STM lens but it is the Mark II and not the STM. Highly rated but inexpensive lens, does great for portraits, I own a 1.4 so it won't see too much use in my bag.

billybob40

If you want Canon lens sent PM.

jvcookies

Yes......that 24-70 should be in your bag.....I have used it for just about everything with excellent results! If you are a serious photographer, sell your child and buy that lens...(Only kidding...of course)

deg122 Loc: Buffalo, NY

[quote=jvcookies]Yes......that 24-70 should be in your bag.....I have used it for just about everything with excellent results! If you are a serious photographer, sell your child and buy that lens...(Only kidding...of course)

I have a kid and and grand kid. What are you offering? Being new, spending so much money on some equipment is foreign to me. But I'm getting there. People have suggested a good 50mm prime lens for way cheaper. But feeling that's a couple hundred dollars out of my pocket for what I should really look at. And how confusing, I see this lens new for around $1,800.......used for 8 or 9. Amazon seems safer than ebay for a large purchase, but who knows. Kind of scary to know if the $800 could be wasted by going used. Others thoughts are appreciated.

(Download)

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

carl hervol wrote:

You can by a cheep lens for portraits you don't want a sharp lens you want something with a soft focus most pros use soft focus lens they help to hide blemishes .

Holding my tongue with a vice grip.....

deg122 Loc: Buffalo, NY

Can you say more about a cheap lens? Some have suggested a 50mm len?