What is your favourite lens for portrait shots?

[graciousness]

I would really love to hear your opinions on this as I have a huge project to do which involves a lot of portraiture. I've done a bit of reading lately, and yet I have read varying opinions on the best or most recommended lens to use when taking portraits.

In saying this, lately, I've been thinking that if given the choice, I wish I have Nikon (all my Canon gears were given to me). I could be completely wrong, but I find Canon a little bit soft. I see Nikon photos and there seems to be a bit more of a bite to the shots (edgier). I welcome any thoughts on this, too, so that perhaps, I stop salivating over Nikons

Back to lenses - I'd love to hear your opinions on your preferences. Is your preference influenced by your style of portraiture or the mere quality of the lens? Would a prime lens (i.e. 85mm or 100mm non L series ) a more preferred choice over a zoom lens like my 24-105mm L? I know, I know, I'm asking you to dig a little bit deep into your thoughts, but I think it will be worth it considering everyone, esp beginners like me, will be reading this thread and gain an insight on the subject.

Cheers and thanks for your thoughts!

Grace

[RichardTaylor]

It depends on what sort of portrait, your shooting style, and in what conditions, you are doing.
99% of mine are candids or shots when covering events.

For low light fast primes (=> F2) are the way to go.
Focal length will depend on your shooting position.

Here are two extremes.
(1) Canon 35mm F2 @ F2 on a Canon 5D (Inside of the State Theatre, Sydney)



(2) 135 F2 L @ F2 on a Canon 40D - At a Macquarie University Theatre


If shooting in reasonable light and you can't control your shooting position then a good zoom will be very handy
(3) Canon 70-200mm F4 L @ F4& 188mm on a 40D - At a street festival



(4) Same event, same camera, same lens @140m & F4.5


I shoot my portraits with what ever I may have with me and that goes from a Canon 100-400 on a 40D to a P&S.

However for most planed shoots I will have a 5D + Canon 24-105 and a Canon 40D with a 70-200 (for good light.) and for low light it will always be fast primes and at least two bodies.

Keep in mind not everybody wants to see those super sharp shots.
For portraits of my wife I usually slightly soften her face when PPing.

At the end of the day my favourite lens is the Canon 135mm F2L (however practicality, unless shooting just for myself, causes me to use other lenses).

[graciousness]

Thanks, Richard! That's an interesting point regarding outdoor candid shots - prime will restrict the distance you can shoot from. This is something for me to consider with my project. Cheers!!

In regards to prime, what is your preference? 50mm or 100mm or have I missed out other prime options? I do have a 50mm prime, but it's the macro f/2.5 and it just ain't working for my portraits from the little I've used of it. I can't help thinking I really need to get something else for portraits.....

[mshockley]

I have to say I love my Canon 85mm f/1.8 prime lens. It is my go-to lens for almost all lighting conditions with my portrait shoots. I do also feel like my Canon 50mm is a wonderful lens for portrait work, especially if I am in tight quarters without alot of room, and I usually always use the 50mm when shooting babies.

Both of these shots are with Canon 85mm f/1.8

[RichardTaylor]

Edit: Being written the same time as the above post.

For me and for head shot's on a 40D would be the 85 F1.8 (if you have the working room) other wise the 50 F1.8 (stopped down a bit) or the 50 F1.4 will be fine.
(I do own both lenses, however they do not see a lot of use)
Why not try some shot's with your 24-105 wide open (or near wide open) to give you a feel for things.
Your 24-105 may meet your needs if the lighting is OK.

Also keep in mind there are environmental portraits to consider as well.

(1) This is @12mm on a 40D (Ultra wide zoom lens) - space was really tight.


(2) This was at 80mm on a 5D (24-105 lens)


(3) 105mm @ F4 on a 5D (24-105 lens)

[graciousness]

Cheers Michelle and Richard!

A question - if I am wanting to take a vivid, very sharp portrait photo where I want to see the lines on the face, tattoos, etc (imagine an indigenous shot), what lens would I for? Scene would be captured in natural light, close up.

From the photos posted here, I'm convinced my 24-105mm L would do for the candid, motion shots (people dancing or moving about), as well as some background landscape. Is this where a prime lens like the 85mm come in or can I still achieve this result with the zoom?

Or is this achieved through a different type of camera (i.e. Nikon, etc) and that the Canon is just technically softer in image rendering?

Essentially, the shots are for photojournalistic intent so you can imagine what I am trying to achieve with the photos.....

[BigFuzzy]

You kind of have two questions in your OP; which is best and which is our favorite.

Since I've not used all lenses, I'll just stick to what is/are my favorite/s.
50mm 1.8 (would love the 1.2 or 1.4) and the 85mm 1.8 are my favorites. I use my 24-70L also, but you said non-L...so, those are my favorites.

To be honest, it'd be really difficult to say which is best since different ones would be better for different styles.

You keep mentioning Canon as being soft. I don't think there's any difference in camera make in this regard, maybe some in specific lenses, but you can make pin sharp images with all canon makes as far as I'm concerned. I could take pin-sharp portraits with my canon 300d as long as I took care to find the sweet spot on the lens and had good light. Knowing your lenses (and how to use them), proper camera holding technique, and good lighting are more likely the result of your softness than the make of your camera body to be honest. There's no reason you shouldn't be getting pin-sharp images with an L quality lens unless there's something about the 24-105 I've not heard about. Can you post some examples of your soft images so we can see if maybe you're right and you have a bad lens or if it's something else?

[RichardTaylor]

Providing your technique and lighting is up to scratch
For the ultimate in sharpness and IQ go with a medium or large format camera with a 40+ mega pixel back.

Nikon or Canon really are not in the hunt.

However if you a shooting with a smaller format go with a full frame camera with a good lens.

I cannot comment on Nikon or Leica digital as I havn't used them.

For possible even sharpest results the Canon 100mm F2.8 macro may even be more sharper.

From personal experience with Canon I was shooting in perfect conditions I would be using my 135 F2 L - probably around F4 on my 5D

(1) This will give you an idea of what I am talking about even though it was a street (event) candid shot wide open @ F2 (Canon 40D + 135mm F2 L lens)
A 1165x1024 pixel image is on my flickr stream.



(2) Do not discount the better zooms.
Canon 70-200 F4 L @ 200mm & F5.6 (Canon 40D)
(a 1280 pixel pic is on my Flickr stream)


and (on the same day)
(3) Canon 70-200 F4 L @ 188mm & F4 (Canon 40D)
(a 923x1024 pixel pic is on my Flickr stream - you can see the lines in the corner of his eyes)


You may even find your 24-105 used around F8 may meet your needs.
Why isn't your 50mm macro at its optimum aperture working for portraits?.

Run some tests on the lenses you have now.

I missed the non L reference. In that case I would most likely use my 50 F1.8 or 85 F1.8 stopped down to at least F4 (I don't really own a "good +" non L "standard zoom"

[Woody]

Originally Posted by graciousness

I wish I have Nikon (all my Canon gears were given to me). I could be completely wrong, but I find Canon a little bit soft. I see Nikon photos and there seems to be a bit more of a bite to the shots (edgier). I welcome any thoughts on this, too, so that perhaps, I stop salivating over Nikons Grace

From Drop Box

Oh Grace, stay loyal to the cause. Why do most pros use a Canon? Why do most users on DPS use canon?

Simple, they're better.

My nifty fifty is a great little lens for portraits and my 18-135 is also great as well.

Cheers,

John W

[RichardTaylor]

@Woody

It all depends on what and where you are shooting.
It also depends on the current bodies & lenses.