Toronto Photography Meetup Group

TPMG.CA
It is currently Thu Oct 23, 2025 8:31 pm

View unanswered posts | View active topics


Board index » Photography Forums » Gear and Equipment

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]



Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 1 of 2
  [ 43 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
  Previous topic | Next topic 
Author Message
Walshy
 Post subject: Portrait Lenses
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 8:55 am 
Offline

Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:29 pm
Posts: 26
Location: Toronto
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
I was wondering if I could get the opinions of you guys on portrait lenses. I am looking at an 85MM 1.4 or a 105MM F2. Any suggestions?? Or even a totally different lens that you could recommend??

Thanks
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Mr.Walczak
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:00 am 
Offline
I'm on TPMG way too much
User avatar

Joined: Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:35 pm
Posts: 1336
Location: Pickering
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 1 time
Are you shooting full frame or crop sensor?
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Walshy
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:02 am 
Offline

Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:29 pm
Posts: 26
Location: Toronto
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
Crop Sensor
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
s.poborsa
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:05 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:04 am
Posts: 633
Location: East York, Toronto, ON
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
if shooting full frame you really cannot go wrong with the Zeiss 85 f1.4: http://www.vistek.ca/store/ProPhotoCame ... 5-zf2.aspx

That being said, if you like really nice tight portraits the 105 f/2 is an amazing lens

If shooting crop the Nikkor 85 f/1.4 would be better than the 105 f/2 just because of the crop factor. and it works better on crop sensors then the Zeiss does (just from personal experience)

I also think the 85 f/1.4 (D or G models) is an AMAZING LENS. Just the Zeiss is the cream o' the crop and no one can deny that.
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
hotwire
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:21 am 
Offline
TPMG Moderator
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2007 3:52 am
Posts: 4022
Location: Newmarket
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 2 times
Flickr: http://goo.gl/RJbMu
Better question: what's your budget?
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Walshy
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:24 am 
Offline

Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:29 pm
Posts: 26
Location: Toronto
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
it's about $1000 - $1200
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
s.poborsa
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:27 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:04 am
Posts: 633
Location: East York, Toronto, ON
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
Walshy wrote:
it's about $1000 - $1200


at that budget then ou may be able to get a Nikkor 85 f/14 D lens(older but still awesome model) or the zeiss if you don't mind manual focusing or the 105.

also: do you prefer tight cropped portraits or 3/4 or 1/2 length portraits? that will help you choose which focal length to go for and the space you have to shoot will also make a difference (tight spaces require a bit of a wider lens)
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Walshy
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:38 am 
Offline

Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:29 pm
Posts: 26
Location: Toronto
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
I prefer tighter cropped, head and shoulder and just above the waist and up
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Walshy
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:57 am 
Offline

Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:29 pm
Posts: 26
Location: Toronto
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
I am shooting corporate portraits indoor
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
MustGoFaster
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:57 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2009 2:05 am
Posts: 192
Location: Toronto
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/88083401@N00/
You may want to rent one of the lens's that were suggested to see if it meets your expectations before purchasing. For example, the Nikon AF-s 85/1.4 G lens is only $30 to rent for a weekend. I rented one for this weekend (pick up after 4pm Friday and return before 10am Monday...since this is a long weekend I get to keep it until Tuesday at no additional cost)
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Metrix
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 10:38 am 
Offline
Official TPMG Contributor
User avatar

Joined: Thu May 04, 2006 4:18 pm
Posts: 4691
Has thanked: 3 times
Have thanks: 19 times
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrix_feet/
http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_short.html
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
ions
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 11:39 am 
Offline
TPMG Administrator
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 27, 2010 5:26 pm
Posts: 3379
Location: Burlington
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 11 times
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/christopherbrian/
Over the weekend I shot a baby (6ish weeks old) with a 105 on a crop and it was tight getting all of her in the frame in a fair sized room. You may be okay as you stated you prefer a tighter crop portrait, but make sure you consider the size of the rooms you'll be taking these images.
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Metrix
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 11:53 am 
Offline
Official TPMG Contributor
User avatar

Joined: Thu May 04, 2006 4:18 pm
Posts: 4691
Has thanked: 3 times
Have thanks: 19 times
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrix_feet/
ions wrote:
Over the weekend I shot a baby (6ish weeks old) with a 105 on a crop and it was tight getting all of her in the frame in a fair sized room. You may be okay as you stated you prefer a tighter crop portrait, but make sure you consider the size of the rooms you'll be taking these images.



True even an 85mm can be tight. Consider some 50 to 60mm lenses can do nice work for cropped cameras.
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Seren Dipity
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 1:02 pm 
Offline
TPMG SUPERSTAR
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:29 am
Posts: 3415
Location: James in RH
Has thanked: 2 times
Have thanks: 2 times
Flickr: http://goo.gl/cahhK
My go to lens on full frame is the 70-200. 85mm will do as well on a full frame but I found it was too tight on a cropped sensor.
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
vkhamphi
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 1:12 pm 
Offline
I'm on TPMG way too much
User avatar

Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2007 3:07 pm
Posts: 1378
Location: Toronto
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vkhamphi/
Seren Dipity wrote:
My go to lens on full frame is the 70-200. 85mm will do as well on a full frame but I found it was too tight on a cropped sensor.


Love my 70-200 for portraits.
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Walshy
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 1:15 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:29 pm
Posts: 26
Location: Toronto
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
yes but are you shooting full frame or cropped sensor?
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Seren Dipity
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 1:36 pm 
Offline
TPMG SUPERSTAR
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:29 am
Posts: 3415
Location: James in RH
Has thanked: 2 times
Have thanks: 2 times
Flickr: http://goo.gl/cahhK
V is shooting full frame. One thing to keep in mind is perspective distortion. I rarely find a head shot shot at 24mm very pleasing - who wants their nose to look larger. :)

http://www.digital-photography-school.c ... hotography
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
vkhamphi
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:41 am 
Offline
I'm on TPMG way too much
User avatar

Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2007 3:07 pm
Posts: 1378
Location: Toronto
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vkhamphi/
Walshy wrote:
yes but are you shooting full frame or cropped sensor?


Sorry, yes I'm shooting full frame. 50mm or 24-70mm on my 1.6x crop is nice too.
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
BaRTiMuS
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 11:40 am 
Offline
Official TPMG Contributor

Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:15 pm
Posts: 1209
Location: Downtown Toronto
Has thanked: 3 times
Have thanks: 10 times
Flickr: http://www.synowiec.ca
vkhamphi wrote:
Walshy wrote:
yes but are you shooting full frame or cropped sensor?


Sorry, yes I'm shooting full frame. 50mm or 24-70mm on my 1.6x crop is nice too.


+1

I LOVE the 24-70 on a crop sensor. It's great all around. 24 is just wide enough for most applications and its a great portrait lens on the long end.
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Rice4Life
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:24 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2008 7:54 pm
Posts: 187
Location: LibertyVillage, Toronto
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
I find the min focus distance gets in my way when shooting portraits with my 80-200mm L on my full frame body. I can just get head and shoulders shot, but can't get in tight enough for neck and head shot.
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Carlton
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:14 pm 
Offline
TPMG SUPERSTAR
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:46 am
Posts: 2119
Location: Toronto
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 1 time
Rice4Life wrote:
I find the min focus distance gets in my way when shooting portraits with my 80-200mm L on my full frame body. I can just get head and shoulders shot, but can't get in tight enough for neck and head shot.


That's when a macro lens shines or break out the extension tubes. :)
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
polarizer
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 7:30 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:56 pm
Posts: 135
Location: Mississauga
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
on my D300 I love my sigma 50 1.4 - it is a special lens!
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Seren Dipity
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:01 pm 
Offline
TPMG SUPERSTAR
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:29 am
Posts: 3415
Location: James in RH
Has thanked: 2 times
Have thanks: 2 times
Flickr: http://goo.gl/cahhK
Rice4Life wrote:
I find the min focus distance gets in my way when shooting portraits with my 80-200mm L on my full frame body. I can just get head and shoulders shot, but can't get in tight enough for neck and head shot.


How about taking a few steps back and zooming in?
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
thericyip
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:23 pm 
Offline
TPMG SUPERSTAR
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2007 4:46 pm
Posts: 3168
Location: North York
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 2 times
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/thericyip
Awkward camera in front of model's face?
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Peter S Photography
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 10:20 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2011 5:55 pm
Posts: 119
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
BaRTiMuS wrote:
vkhamphi wrote:
Walshy wrote:
yes but are you shooting full frame or cropped sensor?


Sorry, yes I'm shooting full frame. 50mm or 24-70mm on my 1.6x crop is nice too.


+1

I LOVE the 24-70 on a crop sensor. It's great all around. 24 is just wide enough for most applications and its a great portrait lens on the long end.

You are just trying to help someone buy your buddies lens aren't you? Like me ?
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Walshy
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 11:59 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:29 pm
Posts: 26
Location: Toronto
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
I am shooting a crop sensor
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Kiteguy
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 2:43 am 
Offline

Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2006 8:53 am
Posts: 111
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
Natural light or studio lights?

I ask because using studio lights that F1.4 will be wasted, unless you start to put ND filters in front of it.

If you are using natural light or non-studio lights - that F1.4 can be useful.
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Walshy
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:30 am 
Offline

Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:29 pm
Posts: 26
Location: Toronto
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
I am using studio lights, so I guess the 1.8 would be my best bet?
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Kiteguy
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 9:20 am 
Offline

Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2006 8:53 am
Posts: 111
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
Hey I would love to sell you my 85mm f1.4D but ya the $500 85mm F1.8 will be fine for studio use.

The 105mm would be tight for a crop body but look for a used 105mm F2.5 MF lens if you want to try it - super sharp - they go for around 250-350. Sorry, can't sell you mine :)

For studio use - spend your money on the light mods, most lenses will be fine because you are usually shooting at F8 - f11 anyways.
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Kiteguy
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 9:20 am 
Offline

Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2006 8:53 am
Posts: 111
Has thanked: 0 time
Have thanks: 0 time
Hey I would love to sell you my 85mm f1.4D but ya the $500 85mm F1.8 will be fine for studio use.

The 105mm would be tight for a crop body but look for a used 105mm F2.5 MF lens if you want to try it - super sharp - they go for around 250-350. Sorry, can't sell you mine :)

For studio use - spend your money on the light mods, most lenses will be fine because you are usually shooting at F8 - f11 anyways.
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 1 of 2
  [ 43 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

Board index » Photography Forums » Gear and Equipment

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group