Perfect Portrait Lens? My understanding is that prime lens' tend to be sharper than zooms & while I don't understanding the exact mechanics of how lens's work it would seem to make...

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

My understanding is that prime lens' tend to be sharper than zooms & while I don't understanding the exact mechanics of how lens's work it would seem to make sense because there is more going on to keep an image sharp through a longer range of focal length's(24-70; 70-200, etc).
A question then is, would the mechanics of a shorter zoom range, for example 50-85, allow it to approach the sharpness of a prime?
Here's where I'm going: I'm a Canon shooter & when I read reviews of their L series , 50 & 85mm primes in the 1.2-1.4 range, I'm thinking wouldn't those be nice to put in the bag. But that's a lot of bucks. I'm guessing that for a portrait lens for my 7d, the 50 would be the choice, but when I (eventually) get a full framer, I'd want the 85mm.
So am I way off base in thinking that a 50-85mm, f1.2 would be an ideal portrait lens?

Artsmith Loc: Grayson, Georgia

Had the Sigma 85 1.4 very crisp sharp images. Got interested in Macro and bought the canon 100mm f2.8 IS Macro and found it takes great portraits also. If you go to full frame a little known lens the canon 135 f2.0L is the least expensive of the L lens (around $800 at KEH) and it is very highly rated for portrait work. I sold my 85MM to finance the 100mm and I can do both with it.

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

I have the Canon 100mm macro. Love it!
My point was that I thought it would be a great idea for the lens makers to engineer a do all lens that targets the presumably 85mm portrait sweet spot & match a prime lens in performance.
Seems like a 50-85 would work well on both a full frame & a crop sensor camera.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

I prefer an 85mm to 135mm for portrait work. I like to have a little distance between me and the subject- this seems to help relax them. A 50mm is a little short for my liking. I do use an Canon EF-50mm f/1.4 occaisionally.

unclebe1 Loc: NYC & Wellington, FL

My take on this issue is that when I'm doing portrait work, I want the best lens and go with the prime (85 1.4 Zeiss). My feet can do the zooming. It's only a few steps. When I'm not doing portrait, I want the versatility of a wide to medium long zoom (my every day lens is 28 - 135) because I don't know what situation I'll find my self in and I'm willing to give up the 'perfection' of the prime lens. A 50 - 85 1.2 would satisfy neither situation best. Does that make sense?

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

i have been doing my portrait work on a 7d with the 70-200mm 2.8mm OS sigma. love the compression from about 80mm-120mm

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

unclebe1 wrote:

My take on this issue is that when I'm doing portrait work, I want the best lens and go with the prime (85 1.4 Zeiss). My feet can do the zooming. It's only a few steps. When I'm not doing portrait, I want the versatility of a wide to medium long zoom (my every day lens is 28 - 135) because I don't know what situation I'll find my self in and I'm willing to give up the 'perfection' of the prime lens. A 50 - 85 1.2 would satisfy neither situation best. Does that make sense?

Are you using a full frame or ap-c format camera?

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

raymondh wrote:

My understanding is that prime lens' tend to be sh... (show quote)

Hey Doc ..... Nikon makes two lenses especially for portraits 105mm and 135mm DC (de-focus control) ..... Nikon chooses 105mm and 135mm (FF) because most photographers choose that field of view for portraiture ..... The DC control is for the out of focus area (bokeh) .....

An 85mm on a crop sensor camera is right in there while a 50mm is a little short .....

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

jimberton wrote:

i have been doing my portrait work on a 7d with the 70-200mm 2.8mm OS sigma. love the compression from about 80mm-120mm

I have Canon's version of this lens & I agree - nice compression and great bokeh. It does becomes a little obtrusive in tighter quarters.
Just fantasizing about a fast lens that would zone in on about 85mm for different camera bodies.

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

Wabbit wrote:

quote=raymondh My understanding is that prime len... (show quote)

Well, I have 2.8 IS Canons 100mm & 70-200 so I have those range covered with decent glass.
Just mulling over the idea of super fast prime type quality lens that would work well in low light & tight quarters on different bodies.

melismus Loc: Chesapeake Bay Country

Wabbit, I believe the DC adds a little spherical aberration to blur the skin textures of us elderly folks.

Wabbit wrote:

quote=raymondh My understanding is that prime len... (show quote)

melismus Loc: Chesapeake Bay Country

Wabbit, I believe the DC adds a little spherical aberration to blur the skin textures of us elderly folks.

Wabbit wrote:

quote=raymondh My understanding is that prime len... (show quote)

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

melismus wrote:

Wabbit, I believe the DC adds a little spherical a... (show quote)

Hey Doc ..... sometimes too sharp is not best for portraits ..... for picture perfect models they're good but remember that you'll also see blemishes .....

Wick Loc: Venice, Florida

Here's another take on the subject. You can buy a Vivitar 85mm 1.4 for Canon. It is a manual focus lens but, for portraits, that could be a plus. More intimate contact and more attention to detail. The cost is around $250- $300 or so. I think you will love it. There are others of the same focal length and Aperture under the brand names of Sakar, etc etc. But, they are basically the same animal. Meant for full frame but works fine on APS-C if you've got a roomy (long) studio or room set aside for such work. They will surprize you in their sharpness as they did me. These lenses are gift horses and should at least be considered. I've had nothing but great results so far. and I feel smart for having pocketed all that cash I would have spent. These are very high quality and just right in focal length as well as soft bokay. Just terrific! Good luck!

WAL

Did I miss soem thing? What size sensor do you have?