Question about an Observation on Focal Lenghts
Jun 5, 2019 11:22:04 #
Generally-within limits-wider angle lenses bend things outwards, while telephoto lenses bend things inwards. Wide angle portraits often produce images of people looking fatter, with clownish noses.
Jun 5, 2019 12:00:24 #
1 vote for the 85mm focal length - or the 50mm on a crop body. nice perspective and not too close to put the subject ill at ease.
Jun 5, 2019 12:11:41 #
Strodav
Loc: Houston, Tx
You found the reason why glass starting around 85mm and going up to around 135mm are advertised as portrait lenses. I generally use a prime for portraits, but I am pleasantly surprised by the great IQ I am getting with the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8.
Jun 5, 2019 12:56:52 #
wjones8637 wrote:
Looking over past photos using my Nikkor 35mm 18. ... (show quote)
Short teles have been standard for portraits no matter what format. The 50mm on your APSC is a short tele and perfect for most head shots, (although there is the odd headshot where I use my 308).
Jun 5, 2019 13:48:48 #
wjones8637 wrote:
Looking over past photos using my Nikkor 35mm 18. ... (show quote)
Thank you to all that have offered advice and information. Tis topic has come up a few times, but I didn't really grasp it at those times. This discussion has been very helpful and enlightening.
Bill
Jun 5, 2019 13:50:28 #
That effect is why general advice is usually to use 85mm or longer focal lengths for portraits.
Jun 5, 2019 15:34:08 #
Most portrats use 100mm for that reason.. wide angle lens destorts [curved poles], long lenses make background larger than normally seen.
Jun 5, 2019 16:24:24 #
I have a 35mmon a full frame camera. I use it for environmental portraits and street photography. It has become one of my favorite lenses. I really like my 85mm for closer portraits.
Jun 5, 2019 16:31:55 #
The 85 -105 mm focal length range is usually chosen for flattering portraits (assumes a full frame camera). For your crop sensor camera body that equates to lenses of about 55mm to 70 mm focal length.
Jun 5, 2019 16:38:37 #
I always use 85mm and up for portraits. I have found over the years that the 50mm (and lower) distorts too much, even though it's "crop factor" on my APS-C Canon cameras would imply 80mm. Remember, the 80mm is not a true 80mm in this scenario, it is simply a crop factor as a function of the sensor size.
Jun 5, 2019 16:59:06 #
Strodav
Loc: Houston, Tx
Thumper26 wrote:
I always use 85mm and up for portraits. I have found over the years that the 50mm (and lower) distorts too much, even though it's "crop factor" on my APS-C Canon cameras would imply 80mm. Remember, the 80mm is not a true 80mm in this scenario, it is simply a crop factor as a function of the sensor size.
Jun 5, 2019 17:03:46 #
Keep in mind that the distance from the optical center of the lens to the sensor plane on a DX camera is the same as that on an FX camera. Ergo, a 35mm lens will be 35mm +/- regardless the camera. The DX is merely reducing the size of the image from 36x24 (approx.), to 24x16 (approx).
On either camera, the 35mm focal length is a slightly wide-angle lens. The diagonal of the FX sensor is 43mm (approx.). As you enlarge the image, you will have slight expansion distortion with the wider angle lens. That's why the noses and some other facial features will appear slightly larger.
The best solution, as some others have mentioned is to use a slightly longer lens, @ 75mm to 120mm. After 120mm, you'll get some compression distortion.
On either camera, the 35mm focal length is a slightly wide-angle lens. The diagonal of the FX sensor is 43mm (approx.). As you enlarge the image, you will have slight expansion distortion with the wider angle lens. That's why the noses and some other facial features will appear slightly larger.
The best solution, as some others have mentioned is to use a slightly longer lens, @ 75mm to 120mm. After 120mm, you'll get some compression distortion.
Jun 5, 2019 21:03:22 #
wjones8637 wrote:
Thanks wrangler, an easy experiment with my 18-400 zoom. Gives me another way to look at things.
When you do your testing, watch out how telephoto settings have the effect of compressing distance. It's because you're having to move further away from your subject. I don't think the 85mm, 105mm, 135mm, and 70-200mm lenses are that good for full length portraits. Objects in the background look larger than they should. A 50mm is better for that.
Jun 5, 2019 21:15:08 #
DaveyDitzer
Loc: Western PA
. Now the question, for portraits and other people shots will I get more pleasing photos using the 50mm, a 105mm Sigma, or one of the zooms set to about 85mm? I know I would need to back-up for the composition.[/quote]
Pity is that this is often misunderstood because people talk about the crop being the equivalent of a longer lens when all they mean is the field of view of a longer lens. I wish we wouldn't use the the equivalency description at all. It's wrong and misleading.... but I repeat myself!
Pity is that this is often misunderstood because people talk about the crop being the equivalent of a longer lens when all they mean is the field of view of a longer lens. I wish we wouldn't use the the equivalency description at all. It's wrong and misleading.... but I repeat myself!
Jun 5, 2019 21:40:28 #
wjones8637 wrote:
Looking over past photos using my Nikkor 35mm 18. ... (show quote)
where is the camera relative to the subject? Shooting from above or below the subjcts waist line can cause all kinds of distortion
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