Portrait Lens

[wcjacobs]

Need some advice friends. I want to purchase a portrait lens for professional work. I shoot with a Canon 7D. I have budgeted for a L Series lens and leaning towards the EF 24-105. This is not to say I have made up my mind or that I'm dead set on a Canon lens. Opinions on this lens, advice, and suggestions on alternate options please.....

[wcjacobs]

I'm also looking at the Canon 24-70mm EF f/2.8L USM Lens...

[MrJones]

personally I would go toward a prime lens with a wide aperture like the 85mm f/1.8 or if you want an L lens there is the famous 135mm f/2 L. these kind of lenses will give you a very nice bokeh.
I think for portraits work you need a long focal length to avoid distortion, something from the 80mm and up.
you didn't say what lens you currently own, it might change the answers you get.

[wcjacobs]

I currently have the 18-135 kit lens.

[MrJones]

then I stand by my original recommendation

[wcjacobs]

Thank You

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by wcjacobs

Need some advice friends. I want to purchase a portrait lens for professional work.

We use a lens collection such as FF 24, 35, 50, 85, 105, 135, 150mm etc. I'll suggest you short list your needs.

- Find out the focal length (or range) you'll need for your style of portraits.
- Do you want shallow DOF over IS (e.g., 50 f/1.4 vs. 24-105 L IS)?
- Ultra sharp or smooth (e.g., 100 L macro vs. 85 f/1.2 L or 135 f/2 L).
etc.

In my case, I use 24-70 f/2.8, 85 f/1.2, 105 f/2.5 and 70-200 f/2.8 for portraits.

[wcjacobs]

I also failed to mention I have the "nifty 50" EF 50mm f/ 1.8 which I really like. I should have also mentioned that wilth the L series price tag I'm hoping to get the most versatility as possible. I do like prime lenses but at this point having a collection is out of the question. My sessions are outdoors and my shooting style is fast paced. I want as close to a do it all lens as possible. I'm not expecting to score the utopia of all lenses, just as "all-around-a-Iens" as possible. I like the versatility of the 18-135mm but I really want a lens that will deliver the sharp images the kit lens just won't deliver. Now I realize that this could very well be my lack of experience that is affecting the results as well. Sorry for that patchy info. I have not posted much and I'm still getting my feet wet. Thanks everyone!

[RichardTaylor]

I use the Canon 24-105 for 90% of my general purpose photography.
It is always used on a 5D where it makes for an almost perfect travel lens. It is not a good lens for shooting moving subjects in low light, mainly because of the F4 maximum aperture.

Mechanical construction is good, and focus is quick and accurate.
I am quite happy with it's IQ.
Not real wide on a crop camera, however that will not be a problem if you like shooting long.

[LoveDSLR]

IMO, if you plan to get more serious on photography then starting saving money for a 24-70 f/2.8 L (and it isn't about going FF in the future). While there are EF-S lenses just as good as EF, but going with full EF is easier (besides UWA).

Then add 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II plus a portrait prime lens in the future. Of course you have to buy in according to your budget but I always save for my next purchase instead of rushing to get an instant ooh and aah.

Originally Posted by wcjacobs

Now I realize that this could very well be my lack of experience that is affecting the results as well.

It isn't a problem if it can be resolved with money.