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best portrait lens?

joshhuntnm
Contributor

What do you consider teh best lens for portraits?

12 REPLIES 12

cicopo
Elite

I think you need to supply which body you're thinking of using. Full freme, 1.3 crop or 1.6 crop. Makes a big difference to the answer.  

"A skill is developed through constant practice with a passion to improve, not bought."

60d

In that case the 50mm 1.2L will arguably the best portrait lens. The large aperture of f/1.2 will make your pictures look smooth like cream cheese. If you're on a budget then get the 1.4 or the 1.8. But the 50mm 1.2L will make your shots look more dreamy and it cannot be mimic by any other L lenses other than the 85 1.2L
I like DSLRs and a Gear Whore.

Canon:
Canon EOS 1Dx, EF 35mm f/1.4L USM, EF 50mm f/1.2L USM, EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM IS II, EF 200mm f/2.0L IS USM

Nikon:
Nikon D4, Nikon D800, Carl Zeiss Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed 50mm T/1.5, Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II

calvin_cbc
Contributor

70-200 2.8 IS II





Canon is spelled with one "n"

Depends on how you define BEST, and what type of shot you want (head, half body, 3/4 body, full length)

 

Agree all round 70-200 f/2.8 is best because of its versatility, especially outdoors.

 

Best IQ is with the 85 1.2 if you are after that narrow depth of field and a tight shot.  (this is a very slow AF lens, can't use it for action and I do not use it for weddings except for posed shots)

 

Best bargin  in a portrait distance fixed focal length is the 85 1.8  (this is a fast AF lens)

Scatterbrained
Enthusiast

Personally, I prefer the 85 1.2 over the 50 1.2 on a crop body.  On a FF I think the 70-200mII is where it's at.

It's whatever lens you used to make a very good portrait.  Most lenses are not made to shoot a particular subject.

BrickR
Enthusiast

I prefer 50mm and longer on a crop. The Sigma 85 is a good one. The 70-200 is the most versatile but that comes at the price of size and weight, but the compression you get from 70mm and longer creates a great flattering look.

dolina
Apprentice

Nothing will beat the EF 200mm f/2L IS USM.

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