Canon 18-135 MM IS for Portrait?

[Angelclaud]

Hi All,

I've been wanting to get a longer zoom lens, mainly for portrait photo. I already have a 50mm f1.8 that I totally love. But due to the shorter range, I have to get pretty close for a tight frame on the subject sometimes. I'm thinking of getting a longer zoom one so I'm not right up in the subject's face. I actually love the 15-85mm one, but the budget is really well over my reach. Even the used one is like $500+.

I got a quite good deal on the 18-135 for around $280. However, the review that I read on that lens isn't very good. So wasn't so sure about buying. Can anybody with the lens let me know what you think about the lens and whether it'll be good for my main purpose of shooting? Thanks.

[veritasimagery]

What body are you using? Are you planning on upgrading to full-frame any time soon?

[Angelclaud]

I have the Canon T3i and no I will not be upgrading to full frame. I'm just a home-family photographer, photographing mainly my daughter.

[veritasimagery]

That being the case, then the 18-135 will do you pretty well. It's biggest benefit is that you can just leave it on and do just about anything.

You will notice a lack of low light capabilities, especially compared to your 1.8.

[taschrief]

I use the Canon 18-135 as my 'always on camera' lens. I, too, am a family/grandchildren type photographer. This lens is just fine at 135mm and f/5.6; even better at f/8. At those apertures you want a lot of room between the subject and the background for portraiture type work. My biggest problem with this lens is chromatic aberration (CA). This lens will give heavy purple fringes if you have a VERY stark contrast shot. For general use you will never see it. But when it does pop up, WOW! Something like a dark barn roof against a bright sky, or silhouetting a wire silo against a bright corn field will cause it. Can you tell I live in farm country? Purple fringing is repairable in DPP, but is a pain. Avoid it if you can. I just don't use this lens for those types of shots.
Summary: very good lens, I would buy another copy if I broke/lost this one.
Happy shooting.