What’s Your Preference?

xzebra · #1 (**permalink**) 03-19-2009, 05:08 PM

What is the best focal length to use when photographing people?

I am using a Canon XSi which has a 1.6x crop factor as well so I am sure that I have to take this into account.

kirbinster · #2 (**permalink**) 03-19-2009, 05:17 PM

Best, now that is a tough call - I guess it depends what type of effects you are looking for. If you want very shallow depth of field then a fast "longer" lens would be good. Perhaps something in the 70mm to 120mm range would be typical.

Flesheater · #3 (**permalink**) 03-19-2009, 05:40 PM

I use a 50mm prime lens witha 1.8 f-stop. its my preferred lens currently.

before that I just used the lens that came with my rebel xti and it was always the best one in my opinion for portraits because it had a nice zoom range.

Flesheater · #4 (**permalink**) 03-19-2009, 05:53 PM

oh, I guess I could have mentioned the lens that came with my camera is a 18-55mm.
It has always been my favorite zoom lens and after using it for a long time, it's hard to get used toa 50mm prime lens, but in my opinion the 1.8 f-stop is totally worth it.

LoveDSLR · #5 (**permalink**) 03-19-2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xzebra

What is the best focal length to use when photographing people?

I am using a Canon XSi which has a 1.6x crop factor as well so I am sure that I have to take this into account.

Read my reply (#8) on another thread.
50mm f1.4 Vs 70-200mm f/2.8L for Portraits..

xzebra · #6 (**permalink**) 03-19-2009, 08:17 PM

Thanks for all of your help...

What I have found out is that many people have many different ideas of focal length. So I guess in the end I am still a bit confused. I think I need to just shoot and pay attention to what I am doing and take notes.

wulf · #7 (**permalink**) 03-19-2009, 10:00 PM

There is no best length. Taking a look at the people shots you like may reveal a pattern but, when I think of the range of great photos from the recent assignment, that probably won't be the case.

A 50mm prime is a good choice though, not least because you can use it in lower light conditions without having to start using flash or high ISO. If you want to do close-ups of people's faces a longer lens might be better though, so you don't have to get too close and scare them.

Wulf