Your Experience on Portrait Lens
- Thread starter vincentong
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bernstein1234
Deregistered
Seems like the 50 1.8 is the most popular lens! :bsmilie:
A few comments on the choices.
The 85L has a lovely dreaminess that the 1.8 version cannot match. However, it is very slow to focus. It is probably the slowest AF lens in the entire EF line (not counting the TSE and MPE lenses, of course.) Coupled with the few millimeters thin DOF, it can be quite difficult to use when there is any subject movement at all. It also makes a poor(er) choice for candid portraiture, except when the light is so dim that one needs the f1.2 to bump up the shutter speed. Clearly, this one was designed to be a portrait lens, and little else. That said, when used for portraits, this lens gives the most kick.
The 70-200s are generally more intimidating to non-models, esp the 2.8s. If one is not accustomed to being photographed, staring down the barrel one of these white monsters can be unnerving. However, they give more flexibility in use because of the zoom.
The two 50mms - 1.4/1.8; the focal length is great for portraits on crop cameras. However, their AF motor really needs upgrading. The 85/1.8's AF runs circles around them. Again, the difference is very noticeable with moving subjects, like kids. The 50/1.8 also has really ugly bokeh (IMHO, YMMV, PDFM). No experience with the 1.0/1.2 versions, so no comments there.
The 85L has a lovely dreaminess that the 1.8 version cannot match. However, it is very slow to focus. It is probably the slowest AF lens in the entire EF line (not counting the TSE and MPE lenses, of course.) Coupled with the few millimeters thin DOF, it can be quite difficult to use when there is any subject movement at all. It also makes a poor(er) choice for candid portraiture, except when the light is so dim that one needs the f1.2 to bump up the shutter speed. Clearly, this one was designed to be a portrait lens, and little else. That said, when used for portraits, this lens gives the most kick.
The 70-200s are generally more intimidating to non-models, esp the 2.8s. If one is not accustomed to being photographed, staring down the barrel one of these white monsters can be unnerving. However, they give more flexibility in use because of the zoom.
The two 50mms - 1.4/1.8; the focal length is great for portraits on crop cameras. However, their AF motor really needs upgrading. The 85/1.8's AF runs circles around them. Again, the difference is very noticeable with moving subjects, like kids. The 50/1.8 also has really ugly bokeh (IMHO, YMMV, PDFM). No experience with the 1.0/1.2 versions, so no comments there.
To me, ugly bokeh is having a huge clump of 'orbs' in the background such as leaves on trees with strong backlighting and not perfectly round 'orbs'.
A nice bokeh should blend in well altogether and look pleasant.
bluecomfort
Member
Get 135 f2L....good stuff!!:thumbsup:
charlesleong
New Member
my 135f2 hunts quite a bit longer than my 85f1.8..... but the 135f2 images are sweeeeeeeeeet! to-die-for bokeh and sharpness!
slacker123
Senior Member
ok, what i'm going to say is not going to be popular. I do own the 35L, 85L and 135L portrait lenses. And I would recommend you to just get an 85/1.8. I bought the 85/1.8 "for fun" as part of a double-rebate thing from Canon, so the lens was essentially "free" and it has sorta displaced all my other L primes.
For portraits, if you desire to photograph wide open at 1.8, I find that the slight softness of the lens actually flatters your subjects. And at f/4, the 85/1.8 is very very sharp. In the studio, I usually use the lens at f/9 or so, and it has proved extraordinarily sharp in any case.
For the most part, I really don't see the need for an 85L for photography. I own it, and its just this huge chunk of glass that I hardly use anymore. Its nice I suppose to stare that huge amount of glass, but really, if you are going to be photographing with a 1Ds3 and an 85/1.2 II all day long, vs a 5D and a 85/1.8, I'll gladly take the lighter combination. Its from personal experience, outdoors, indoors and in studio, that I think the 85/1.8 is so underrated. Its very great for its price. Small, light and useful for so many things.
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/3268/img3848bn2.jpg
- I focused this shot on her teeth, and not her eyes - you can roughly see that her teeth are where the center AF point of the 5D should be. She just wanted a tiny thumbnail print of this - so absolute sharpness wasn't an issue. (P.S: She's a US Senator's daughter too...)
For portraits, if you desire to photograph wide open at 1.8, I find that the slight softness of the lens actually flatters your subjects. And at f/4, the 85/1.8 is very very sharp. In the studio, I usually use the lens at f/9 or so, and it has proved extraordinarily sharp in any case.
For the most part, I really don't see the need for an 85L for photography. I own it, and its just this huge chunk of glass that I hardly use anymore. Its nice I suppose to stare that huge amount of glass, but really, if you are going to be photographing with a 1Ds3 and an 85/1.2 II all day long, vs a 5D and a 85/1.8, I'll gladly take the lighter combination. Its from personal experience, outdoors, indoors and in studio, that I think the 85/1.8 is so underrated. Its very great for its price. Small, light and useful for so many things.
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/3268/img3848bn2.jpg
- I focused this shot on her teeth, and not her eyes - you can roughly see that her teeth are where the center AF point of the 5D should be. She just wanted a tiny thumbnail print of this - so absolute sharpness wasn't an issue. (P.S: She's a US Senator's daughter too...)
vincentong
New Member
Wow, this is a really good piece of advise from real experience. I'm surprised to hear that someone out there who owns a 85mm f/1.2L finds the 85mm f/1.8 better.. that's really an eye opener... Anyone shares the same experience? or opinion?
My case a bit the opposite though.. ^^
My preference for portrait is 85L > 135L > 85f1.8
The 85f1.8 is sold not long after I bot the 85L.. but must say it's a very good lens as well, but the 85L & the 135L just hv that extra bit of magic.
If budget is a concern by all means go for the f1.8 version.
Also own the 50f1.4 & 50f1.8..
Depends on what type of portraits u r shooting..
Models shoot I prefer 85L..
Kids at home or indoor I prefer the 50f1.4.. or 35f2/35L
Kids outdoor running in the park I prefer 135L..
Just my experience thou, others may hv diff preferences..
My preference for portrait is 85L > 135L > 85f1.8
The 85f1.8 is sold not long after I bot the 85L.. but must say it's a very good lens as well, but the 85L & the 135L just hv that extra bit of magic.
If budget is a concern by all means go for the f1.8 version.
Also own the 50f1.4 & 50f1.8..
Depends on what type of portraits u r shooting..
Models shoot I prefer 85L..
Kids at home or indoor I prefer the 50f1.4.. or 35f2/35L
Kids outdoor running in the park I prefer 135L..
Just my experience thou, others may hv diff preferences..
vincentong
New Member
My case a bit the opposite though.. ^^
My preference for portrait is 85L > 135L > 85f1.8
The 85f1.8 is sold not long after I bot the 85L.. but must say it's a very good lens as well, but the 85L & the 135L just hv that extra bit of magic.
If budget is a concern by all means go for the f1.8 version.
Also own the 50f1.4 & 50f1.8..
Depends on what type of portraits u r shooting..
Models shoot I prefer 85L..
Kids at home or indoor I prefer the 50f1.4.. or 35f2/35L
Kids outdoor running in the park I prefer 135L..
Just my experience thou, others may hv diff preferences..
Hi Kongo,
Thanks a lot for your advise. I'm a big fan of your portraits.. Nice to have your opinion as well.. Not too sure I will spend so much on the 85f1.2L.. Still thinking hard.. But I might wanna consider getting 85f1.8 and 50f1.4.. More budgeted.. Still, the temptation to get the 85f1.2L is still high.. :sweat:
You are welcome.
Dun hv to jump for the L so fast lah, the 50f1.4 and/or 85f1.8 are good starts and there is a very good chance that you will be satisfied enuff with their performances.. if the greed ever grow bigger & bigger one day you will probably know it's the time to upgrade, otherwise just stick to the more wallet-friendly but high performance options.. and some may find prime lens not suitable for their shooting style and opt to switch back to zoom lens in the end.. so starting with the cheaper option can minimise loss too..
& the 50f1.4 is so light and portable that I will not hesitate to bring it for holiday trip, the bokeh for this lens is still quite smooth and creamy, & sharpness excellent too..
just a casual pic to show the bokeh of this lens, pretty good even when stopped down to f2.8 for this shot..
Dun hv to jump for the L so fast lah, the 50f1.4 and/or 85f1.8 are good starts and there is a very good chance that you will be satisfied enuff with their performances.. if the greed ever grow bigger & bigger one day you will probably know it's the time to upgrade, otherwise just stick to the more wallet-friendly but high performance options.. and some may find prime lens not suitable for their shooting style and opt to switch back to zoom lens in the end.. so starting with the cheaper option can minimise loss too..
& the 50f1.4 is so light and portable that I will not hesitate to bring it for holiday trip, the bokeh for this lens is still quite smooth and creamy, & sharpness excellent too..
just a casual pic to show the bokeh of this lens, pretty good even when stopped down to f2.8 for this shot..
bernstein1234
Deregistered
OT a bit, but for poisoning purposes, here's how a 85L would look like on a 1Ds III. Super big lens :bigeyes:
I thought the odd one out is the tiny model of the 1DsII and the EF 600mm f4L IS. :bsmilie:
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