What is your go-to focal length for portraits?

8 years 10 months ago #439470 by Sean Lamber
For those of you who shoot a lot of portraits, what is your first to grab go-to lens for portraits?


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8 years 10 months ago - 8 years 10 months ago #439487 by garyrhook
Not 50mm.

Let me repeat: not 50mm.

Portrait shots (head and shoulders-ish) - 70mm or longer. If I can get away with it, 160-200mm.

I now own an 85 f/1.8 that I'm itching to practice with. Anything from 70 - 120 is probably "typical" for head and upper body. Full body shots, it depends upon how much room you have. I've backed up 50 ft outside to use a long lens.

I really do not like 50mm for anything other than street scene or group-type shots.

"Nifty fifty" my shiney hiney.


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8 years 10 months ago #439502 by Hassner
In film days I had a 135mm lens that I loved.
Everyone else at work was shooting 85mm, but I felt that I was too close to the model to put her at ease.


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8 years 10 months ago #439604 by TGonzo

Hassner wrote: In film days I had a 135mm lens that I loved.
Everyone else at work was shooting 85mm, but I felt that I was too close to the model to put her at ease.


OH man, I would love to have a 135mm!!!


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8 years 10 months ago #439613 by stuartsbarbie
Gary, I am glad to see your post/advice here. I was considering a 50mm for some of my nature shots. But the more I read, I think I will save a little more and get the 85


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8 years 10 months ago #439669 by MM Images

stuartsbarbie wrote: Gary, I am glad to see your post/advice here. I was considering a 50mm for some of my nature shots. But the more I read, I think I will save a little more and get the 85


85mm is the way to go IMO


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8 years 10 months ago #439678 by tganiats
stuartsbarbie wrote:

Gary, I am glad to see your post/advice here. I was considering a 50mm for some of my nature shots. But the more I read, I think I will save a little more and get the 85

I'm not sure, Barbara.  Nothing against the 85, but I think every lens has something to offer.  Presuming you currently have a zoom, I would look back at old pictures to see which focal lengths you most often shoot at and then decide how often the prime lens would be helpful.  Which have the lens?  Sharpness? (many zoonms are very sharp).  Speed? (Not necessary for landscape; might be good for "nature.")   Etc.   

Personaly, I have zooms from 16-400 (not one...a few), and I have several primes.  I would like more primes, but I wonder how often I will use.  (I may see the Northern lights next spring, so a fast and wide prime may be useful...we'll see)

My 2 cents.


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8 years 10 months ago #439933 by Conner
85mm or 24-70mm lens @70mm


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8 years 10 months ago #440108 by Luca
+1 85mm


So who's going to give me one


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8 years 10 months ago #440454 by Jasper_1
85mm or 105mm


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8 years 10 months ago #440487 by Leilanee
50mm because that's all I can afford


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8 years 10 months ago - 8 years 10 months ago #440502 by Stealthy Ninja

garyrhook wrote: Not 50mm.

Let me repeat: not 50mm.


Leilanee wrote: 50mm


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8 years 10 months ago #441105 by Andrew AG
85mm


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8 years 10 months ago #441126 by Stealthy Ninja
Oh and to answer the question.

I like 85mm. Seems to be the best overall length.
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8 years 10 months ago #441164 by Vespista
+1 for 85mm


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