Help with recommending the best lens for street portraits

[Court41]

Hello:) I am new to the Canon community and just starting my photography journey. I have read so many different opinions on the best lens. Need help with what others truly recommend. I have been shooting a lot of street photography or outdoors with my subjects but want to get a good lens finally! I am looking for something for street portraits and indoors. I’m torn between the 3 most common . The “nifty fifty” , the 85mm or the 24-70mm. I have read so much I don’t know what would be best. I need a lens that would work for outside portraits for those beautiful shots and also inside for possibly natural or low light. Help please as I am a newbie:) thank you! 

[ebiggs1]

"A 24-70mm f/2.8 lens (be sure it's f/2.8 for better low-light performance) would be the single best lens amongst the three you listed."

I, personally, would avoid that lens on a T7. Not that I wouldn't love to have it because it is a fantastic lens, but the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens has a more T7 friendly FL range.

[Court41]

 

I also purchased when I got the camera because I got a beautiful deal …. A 70-200mm EF 2.8 L IS USM . Still learning how to use it for sure. Thank you for all your help. The numbers and so many different answers on the web are overwhelming! 🙂 

[Court41]

Thank you for the help. I truly appreciate you breaking down the differences. There is so much to learn! 🙂

[Court41]

I appreciate the knowledge you helped me understand. I can not say thank you enough:) looking forward to hopefully someday being as educated and experienced with the Canon camera 🙂 

[deebatman316]

Canon's EF 70-200mm lens lineup is great. in fact I own the Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS III USM lens. The 70-200mm lens lineup are telephoto lenses. This lens would provide an angle of view of 112mm-320mm when compared to 35mm or Full Frame. Make sure you have IS (Image Stabilization) on when shooting unless on a tripod. Did you also get the tripod collar and the protective traveling case with the lens too. If you have the protective case. Keep the lens stored in there when NOT in use. If you know the exposure triangle already. When working with non-IS lenses. You need to use the 1/ focal x crop factor rule to avoid camera shake. For your camera it would be 1/ focal length x 1.6 since you have an APS-C camera. For example if you were shooting at 200mm. When we do the math 1/200 x 1.6= 320. So your minimum shutter speed would need to be at least 1/320th of a sec or faster to avoid camera shake.

-Demetrius

Current Gear: EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM, EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM, EF 50 F/1.8 STM, EF 85mm F/1.8 USM, EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS III USM, 470EX-AI & 600EX II-RT

Retired Gear: EOS 40D & Sigma 17-50mm F/2.8 EX DC OS HSM

[ebiggs1]

 For example if you were shooting at 200mm. When we do the math 1/200 x 1.6= 320. So your minimum shutter speed would need to be at least 1/320th of a sec or faster to avoid camera shake."

Keep in mind this is a guide not a law. Lots of people can shoot teles at very much slower SS with great success.

[deebatman316]

This was just a guide for the OP. Since the OP is new to photography. So they may have not used a telephoto lens. When I was new to shooting with a telephoto lens I used to see camera shake. But I can shoot at a slower shutter speed now. 

-Demetrius

Current Gear: EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM, EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM, EF 50 F/1.8 STM, EF 85mm F/1.8 USM, EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS III USM, 470EX-AI & 600EX II-RT

Retired Gear: EOS 40D & Sigma 17-50mm F/2.8 EX DC OS HSM

[Court41]

Carrying case for sure and yes have a tri-pod. That baby is pretty heavy 🙂 thank you for all your help! 

[Court41]

Thank you 🙂 I feel so grateful to have the support from every one as I have felt very lost! Newbie for sure hahaha 

[deebatman316]

If you're using a tripod. Attach the lens tripod collar to the tripod. Do Not attach the tripod to the camera body. If you're not using a tripod. your left hand to support the lens. NEVER rely on the lens mount to support the weight of a lens. As a general rule always support the lens with your left hand. Especially with telephoto and super telephoto lenses. Do you have thus tripod collar below. 

-Demetrius

Current Gear: EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM, EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM, EF 50 F/1.8 STM, EF 85mm F/1.8 USM, EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS III USM, 470EX-AI & 600EX II-RT

Retired Gear: EOS 40D & Sigma 17-50mm F/2.8 EX DC OS HSM