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What is the best but affordable lens for portraits

peggyowenby
Apprentice
What is an affordable portrait lens
18 REPLIES 18

85mm 1.8L is on my wishlist :). I don't want to spend cash for the 1.2L 🙂

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Weekend Travelers Blog | Eastern Sierra Fall Color Guide

ScottyP
Authority
Assuming the original poster has a rebel or other crop sensor, I will say that 85 f/1.8 will work for portraits on crop if you have room to step back as you shoot. For me 85 on a crop is often too much telephoto for a lot of rooms I am in.

If you have a kit lens that covers 50 and 85 try out those exact lengths. If 85 feels tight then go with 50.
Scott

Canon 5d mk 4, Canon 6D, EF 70-200mm L f/2.8 IS mk2; EF 16-35 f/2.8 L mk. III; Sigma 35mm f/1.4 "Art" EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro; EF 85mm f/1.8; EF 1.4x extender mk. 3; EF 24-105 f/4 L; EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS; 3x Phottix Mitros+ speedlites

Why do so many people say "FER-tographer"? Do they take "fertographs"?

ebiggs1
Legend
Legend

Maybe a funny recommendation on the Canon forum, but I am going to say the Sigma 85mm f1.4 EX.

It bests the Canon 85mm f1.8 and rivals the Canon f1.2 L. The Siggy is not an "L" lens, however. It is rugged build but not weather resistant. The best part, it is $1000+ cheaper than the "L". So don't use it in the rain and save a buck or two.

Although not my number one choice for a crop camera, at 136mm equivalent, still workable.

There are just a few Sigma lens' that rival Canon and this is one.

 

I personally don't recommend the Canon 50mm f1.8 to anybody.

EB
EOS 1DX and 1D Mk IV and less lenses then before!

I know it's a great lens, but $900 is not affordable to me by any mean. For under $500, 85 F1.8 is hard to beat.
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Weekend Travelers Blog | Eastern Sierra Fall Color Guide

You may want to try the Canon EF 40mm pancake, f2.8 stm.  I use it on some of my portraits, and the cost is low, only $149.00 at most NYC houses.  You just have to get close to the subject.

 

Bill

I suppose if you are using it on an APS-C DSLR with a 1.6x multiplier, it would come out to a nice 64mm for portraiture!....Not too shabby!

Sorry ebiggs1, but you are banished.  Smiley Wink

Scott

Canon 5d mk 4, Canon 6D, EF 70-200mm L f/2.8 IS mk2; EF 16-35 f/2.8 L mk. III; Sigma 35mm f/1.4 "Art" EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro; EF 85mm f/1.8; EF 1.4x extender mk. 3; EF 24-105 f/4 L; EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS; 3x Phottix Mitros+ speedlites

Why do so many people say "FER-tographer"? Do they take "fertographs"?

focus
Contributor
40mm f/2.8 STM is very cheap and I think nicer than any of the 50mm for portraits.

scj7129
Contributor

I kind of like the Lensbaby Edge 80 Optic!

 

http://lensbaby.com/optics-edge80

 

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