swabubin

I have a 50mm lens and a 18-135 mm lens. I'm headed in the Boudoir direction. I wanted to know if there is a nicer/better/more creative lens out there I could use. Also is there a website anyone knows about that has lenses and explains each one? Please pass along the link if you know of one.
Thanks

SpiffyPhoto Loc: Southern Wisconsin

try this link
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/photography-the-lens/

or this link to buy
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Digital-Cameras/ci/9811/N/4288586282

swabubin

thank YOU!!

Jim Hobson

Try:
http://www.photozone.de/

lens reviews, FAQ's, etc.

It may help.

toolman1224 Loc: Vandalia, OH

Try:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/

Lenses, cameras, a little of everything.

Good luck.

Jim Bridges Loc: Arlington WA

I like to look at the lens descriptions and sometimes buy from this source: http://www.canogacamera.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=22

dasboat Loc: Vernonia,Ore.(Vernowhere)

All of canons lenses are in here.

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup

BrandyVSOP Loc: Oregon USA

Makes a difference if you are shooting a crop or full frame.
My next lens for this type of shooting will hopefully be the 85mm 1.2.

pdwoodswood Loc: Lewisville, NC

Also check a few sellers on Nextag for price comparison.
Don' buy from cheapest; classic bait & switch crook.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

35mm, 85mm or the 24-70.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

The only thing I would say is get the widest aperture you can for focus or more accurately de-focus control. Or consider the Nikon 135mm with de-focus control. A lens called Lensbaby is another focus control option that is much cheaper. Another technique is to shoot through a paine of glass positioned in front of the lens. On this glass you can smear petroleum jelly to selectively cause a soft focus condition in whatever area of the picture you desire.

jandcfamily

I have heard of people using a neutral density filter (I think it's called) and smearing petroleum jelly around the edges to soften the image with a slight vignetting (sp?) effect.

foghornleg90 Loc: All over USA - Medford, OR & Knoxville, TN

I agree mostly with 'imagemister' - the wider the aperature ability, the better, since everything will be indoors, prone to low light and shadows, unless you are setting up a pile of lights & multiple flashes with remote triggers.

I have a f1.8 135 with 2 step soft focus, an 85 f1.8, and a 17-55 f2.8 for portrait & indoor low light stuff. I've used my buddies 10-24 f1.2 and it's OMG nice, but I don't shoot enough of THAT to justify the $2k price tag, and I can get within about 5 to 10% as good with the lens I have in post processing. So... it's all about how much you'll be using them, and how much you'll be making.

There is a huge surge in the old style 'poster girls' and 1930's to 50's erotica poses... might be worth checking out.

As a big ugly man... I don't get many invites for those type of shoots. I have a couple female photography friends that shoot 1 to 10 of those type of shoots most every week. Most 'normal women' just don't wanna get all naked & sexy in front of a single man.

The petroleum jelly isn't necessary if you do any post-processing.

The ND filters... is really dependent on the lighting, walls, and type(s) of ND's you are using. I can't think of many occasions I'd use them on an indoor portrait... unless the person was almost glow in the dark white, or there were a lot of reflective objects above the person. Then I'd probably play with the graduated ND +2. Lighting and background control are vital... I'd probably be more inclined to shoot with at least two off-camera flashes to try to eliminate the shadows (or to create them). Anyhow...

Creativelive.com has some great portrait & lighting courses... but none on nude photography or boudoir stuff to date (that I know of).

If you haven't played with it yet, you might look into 'light painting' it's REALLY cool & fun... and interesting.

Guy Johnstone Loc: Ocean Shores WA

I think you're really in pretty good shape for lenses. I suspect the zoom is a little slow and you may be useing the wide end a lot. If you find yourself shooting wide a lot you might want to invest in a 24 or 28 mm F2.8, but use what you got first and see if you actually need something else. You can be shooting inside so I would avoid neutral density anything. You might want to think about saving the money for some good lighting equipment.