Portrait Lens preferences?


For me, a 85mm in there will complete it

35,85,135

"perfect" line up

not sure why but i never liked 85mm (same feeling with 50mm)... still prefer 135mm.
 

not sure why but i never liked 85mm (same feeling with 50mm)... still prefer 135mm.

really? :(

I used to love 50mm, but I start to hate it, it's like neither here nor there.. I think 85mm is just nice for a head-shot or half body that allows you to shoot closer to the subject.. so 35mm, 85mm and 135mm seemed perfect prime trinity :p
 

avsquare said:
really? :(

I used to love 50mm, but I start to hate it, it's like neither here nor there.. I think 85mm is just nice for a head-shot or half body that allows you to shoot closer to the subject.. so 35mm, 85mm and 135mm seemed perfect prime trinity :p

Likewise. Never favored the 50mm perspective. But I think I'm the oddball here.
 

i guess it all boils down to how close you want to get to the model?
Even 50mm can do good head shots….but 85 is better, less distortion when close up..
i've done many head shots with the 50mm.just need to go very close to the subject…it's not impossible..

i guess if you have 50/85/135 will be perfect BUT if you only want 1 lens that's versitile, nothing beats a nifty 50…it does almost everything..just need to use your legs more :)

Somethign like this is perfect with the 50mm
255251_10150910268872861_1298820174_n.jpg


This is also with a 50mm
206070_10150907290232861_554990594_n.jpg


So yea, the 50mm can do both kinds of shots..just need to walk more only lor….
Although i must admit for REALLY close up face shots…maybe the 50 can't do it well..you will get distortions on the corners AND your subject will get uneasy because you'll be standing like 1M from them…VERY close
 

i guess it all boils down to how close you want to get to the model?
Even 50mm can do good head shots….but 85 is better, less distortion when close up..
i've done many head shots with the 50mm.just need to go very close to the subject…it's not impossible..

i guess if you have 50/85/135 will be perfect BUT if you only want 1 lens that's versitile, nothing beats a nifty 50…it does almost everything..just need to use your legs more :)

So yea, the 50mm can do both kinds of shots..just need to walk more only lor….
Although i must admit for REALLY close up face shots…maybe the 50 can't do it well..you will get distortions on the corners AND your subject will get uneasy because you'll be standing like 1M from them…VERY close

Nice shots!
 

i guess it all boils down to how close you want to get to the model?
Even 50mm can do good head shots….but 85 is better, less distortion when close up..
i've done many head shots with the 50mm.just need to go very close to the subject…it's not impossible..

i guess if you have 50/85/135 will be perfect BUT if you only want 1 lens that's versitile, nothing beats a nifty 50…it does almost everything..just need to use your legs more :)

Somethign like this is perfect with the 50mm
255251_10150910268872861_1298820174_n.jpg


This is also with a 50mm
206070_10150907290232861_554990594_n.jpg


So yea, the 50mm can do both kinds of shots..just need to walk more only lor….
Although i must admit for REALLY close up face shots…maybe the 50 can't do it well..you will get distortions on the corners AND your subject will get uneasy because you'll be standing like 1M from them…VERY close

No la, sometimes the 50mm still include too much of the bg at times.. so if you want a very blurred out bg, 85mm large aperture lens is very good :p

anyways, nice view for the 2 shots, I like #1 :)
 

For me, i never favoured the 85mm for portrait so it's 50mm for flexibility.
 

Thanks all for the likes…
I picked those 2 shots because i wanted to show the framing of what a 50mm can do well.

Yes...it's good to have both but if you can only get one and only one..I'll get the 50 over the 85...more versatile. 85 is more niche..there's really no 1 lens fits all for portraits although the 24-70f2.8 comes close :)
But yes. i mainly use the 85mm only for close up face shots…i wouldn't bring the 85 around for any other use..it doesn't do macro, doesn't do sports, doesn't do very much else really..but i still love the 85..it does what it does very well…
 

Last edited:
SilentSeth said:
For a 2.5 kg monster.. it better be good :)

Hah. I can handle the weight. It is the price which I am most bothered by!
 

namespace said:
Agreed. I'm using 50L most of the time for portraiture.

My wife endorses the use of 50L to take photos of her, and says that is my only worth it purchase.. :-(
 

My wife endorses the use of 50L to take photos of her, and says that is my only worth it purchase.. :-(

Your wife had good taste :)
That gives you more excuse to buy the 24L,35L,85L,135L….everything L la :)
 

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