Portrait Lens (Canon)

[CrouchingWayne]

Hi guys,

I've got a Canon 100D with the kit lens, but with a wee one due to arrive any second I'm hoping to get back into the camera.

The kit lens seems fairly average, are there better options out there? I generally shoot by hand so would like something fast. Thinking maybe a 50mm, but not sure what aperture to invest in.

Thanks
Wayne

[kentmotorcompany]

Ive just been gifted the same camera and have ordered the following to go with it:

Although I'm completely new to proper "photoing" and decided after some advise on here. See my other recent posts.

[rich888]

So welcome to a few sleepless nights!!!

Having said that, it's a fantastic experience, so you have made a wise choice to invest in a camera ahead of the event.

The 100D is a very capable bit of kit, and as KentMotorCompany has pointed out, the Canon 50mm f1.8 is an excellent choice for portrait work, though you might wish to change from f1.8 to perhaps f2.8 when taking close head shots to ensure everything is in focus, and talking of focus, use a single point and focus on the leading eye.

I've not had my 700D for that long, is the larger and heavier variant of your 100D, I purchased it with the 18-55mm lens kit which is still pretty good, but I wanted decent blurring of the background and the Canon 50mm f1.8 lens has to be one of the best for this effect and is relatively cheap.

Just watch the readings for the ISO because if these settings are too high when using AUTO you will end up with somewhat grainy pics, you can manually lower the ISO upper limit, but note that the shutter speed will drop when you lower the ISO limit, so you may be at risk from camera shake or the subject moving which will result in blur.

I'm pretty new to all this stuff but there are some very talented users posting on PH who may be able to provide you with substantially more information plus far more tips and tricks than I can. So enjoy. If you're not sure about anything just ask

Slightly off-topic, buy plenty of nappies and wipes from Aldi which are better made and far cheaper than Pampers, and don't waste your money on any of the other supermarket brands such as Tesco because they are inferior. Said from graphic experience with rearing two young ones over the past few years and learning from our mistakes... and nothing is sacred, not the TV, your laptop or your phone, so move anything you consider important up and out of harms way.

[OssAndy]

I've got a 100d and the 50mm f1.8. It is good and can take some cracking shots but sometimes can feel like a limited focal length especially on the cropped sensor, making it about 80mm effective length?

If you get one see if you can find the early version which I believe has a metal mounting ring. The later versions have a plastic ring which can fail. This happened to me a couple of weeks ago while on holiday and it wouldn't release so was stuck on the camera. I had to take the lens apart from the front so I could get it off without damaging the camera, destroying the lens in the process. There are loads of stories of this happening if you Google. If I replace it I'll try find the metal one but I might not bother.

With the camera I bought the 24mm f2.8 pancake lens for about £115 and I'm finding it much more flexible. Combined with the 100d it makes for an amazingly small and light dslr package. Perhaps consider the 40mm f2.8 pancake too?

[JustinP1]

OssAndy said:

I've got a 100d and the 50mm f1.8. It is good and can take some cracking shots but sometimes can feel like a limited focal length especially on the cropped sensor, making it about 80mm effective length?

If you get one see if you can find the early version which I believe has a metal mounting ring. The later versions have a plastic ring which can fail.

I think you are talking about the EF 50mm f1.8 II? That has the plastic lens mount.

The 50mm f1.8 STM is a very new lens, and I can vouch for the fact that although it is of plastic construction, it feels very sturdy and has a metal mount. As I've said on another thread, INHO it is better than the 50mm f1.4 at less than half the price.

Also, for 100D owners, as it is an STM lens you can take advantage of video autofocusing with it.

[rich888]

JustinP1 said:

OssAndy said:

I've got a 100d and the 50mm f1.8. It is good and can take some cracking shots but sometimes can feel like a limited focal length especially on the cropped sensor, making it about 80mm effective length?

If you get one see if you can find the early version which I believe has a metal mounting ring. The later versions have a plastic ring which can fail.

I think you are talking about the EF 50mm f1.8 II? That has the plastic lens mount.

The 50mm f1.8 STM is a very new lens, and I can vouch for the fact that although it is of plastic construction, it feels very sturdy and has a metal mount. As I've said on another thread, INHO it is better than the 50mm f1.4 at less than half the price.

Also, for 100D owners, as it is an STM lens you can take advantage of video autofocusing with it.

Just to confirm what JustinP1 has said, having purchased both of these lenses in the past few weeks I can confirm that the current 50mm f1.8 lens and for that matter the 24mm f2.8 lens does have the metal mounting ring.

Hurriedly taken photographs of said lenses shown below:

[CrouchingWayne]

Hi all - thanks for the advice. I'll look into those lenses, I'm not totally new to photography but have come from a Sony Alpha so have had to start my stash of kit from scratch. It's been a while so I will need to brush up on framing tips!!

Thanks for the info on 50mm, I noticed on eBay a range of lenses and prices so was immediately perplexed! I'm going to do a touch more reading as I'd love a pancake lens to compliment the slim body, but that's just me being an idiot I'm sure as function trumps form for me in the SLR!

Interesting point RE 50mm and the cropped sensor, I previously had a 50mm and 28mm on my Sony. I might investigate some shorter primes as well (open to suggestions)

Thanks for the baby advice - we have an aldi near by and have heard their range is excellent. We have a few bits to start us off but need to wait to see how big he is first before stocking up. Should be arriving today.....

[OssAndy]

rich888 said:

Just to confirm what JustinP1 has said, having purchased both of these lenses in the past few weeks I can confirm that the current 50mm f1.8 lens and for that matter the 24mm f2.8 lens does have the metal mounting ring.

Hurriedly taken photographs of said lenses shown below:

Ah that's good to know, I wasn't even aware of the existence of this new one!

[tog]

OssAndy said:

Ah that's good to know, I wasn't even aware of the existence of this new one!

I believe it is the same optical formula as the old 50mm f1.8 lenses, but with more diaphragm blades (for smoother bokeh), better built and STM instead of AFD focus motor. I am still using my original EF50mm f1.8 that I got in 1988.

[RobbieKB]

The lenses generally seen as portrait are the 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 100mm, 135mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm and the faster the versions of these lenses the better. Each lens has different applications: 35mm tends to be street and candid photography and 50mm much the same but can venture in to normal portraiture without too much distortion on the model's face. The 85mm is the sweet spot for most people and is my personal favourite for all types of portraiture. The 100mm is great but kind of a jack of all trades and as I own all but 1 of the above, I tend to use either the 135mm or one of my two 85mms. The 135mm is a god of a lens but not on a crop body and it's very pricey. The two zoom lenses are very good but also quite expensive. The former tends to be for studio work and the latter tends to be for weddings and ordinary portraits.

For a crop body I'd probably say go with the 50mm f/1.8; it's the MX5 of lenses. It's cheap, cheerful and has a great reputation for a good reason. If I had the f/1.4 variant I'd use it more. The 85mm might be a tad 'long' on a crop body -- I'm not sure -- but it's probably my favourite all rounder. I never found use for my 35mm but I've seen 'togs use it for street photography with fantastic results.

Final word of warning, don't get lured in to buying the 70-200mm f/4 if you can help it. Put the money towards the f/2.8.

I hope that helps!

[CrouchingWayne]

Hi guys, thanks again for advice. Still going through all the points.

I'm leaning towards the 40mm just now - see link below:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canon-ef-40mm-f2-8...

On a crop it's an effective 64mm I believe.

Edit to add I might pick up more than one, so open to all ideas!

Edited by CrouchingWayne on Thursday 14th January 16:08

[RobbieKB]

CrouchingWayne said:

Hi guys, thanks again for advice. Still going through all the points.

I'm leaning towards the 40mm just now - see link below:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canon-ef-40mm-f2-8...

On a crop it's an effective 64mm I believe.

Edit to add I might pick up more than one, so open to all ideas!

Edited by CrouchingWayne on Thursday 14th January 16:08

Ah the pancake lens, yes. I've heard good things!

[Mr Will]

CrouchingWayne said:

Hi guys, thanks again for advice. Still going through all the points.

I'm leaning towards the 40mm just now - see link below:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canon-ef-40mm-f2-8...

On a crop it's an effective 64mm I believe.

Edit to add I might pick up more than one, so open to all ideas!

Don't go for the 40mm 2.8 on a crop body. It got great reviews when it first came out, but the newer 24mm 2.8 does the same thing even better. It gives you a 38mm equivalent which is a lot more useful than 64mm-e.

It also pairs very nicely with the 50mm 1.8, giving you one general purpose lens plus a longer, faster one for portraits.

[JustinP1]

Mr Will said:

CrouchingWayne said:

Hi guys, thanks again for advice. Still going through all the points.

I'm leaning towards the 40mm just now - see link below:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canon-ef-40mm-f2-8...

On a crop it's an effective 64mm I believe.

Edit to add I might pick up more than one, so open to all ideas!

Don't go for the 40mm 2.8 on a crop body. It got great reviews when it first came out, but the newer 24mm 2.8 does the same thing even better. It gives you a 38mm equivalent which is a lot more useful than 64mm-e.

It also pairs very nicely with the 50mm 1.8, giving you one general purpose lens plus a longer, faster one for portraits.

I was going o say exactly the same thing - you beat me to it.

With a pancake lens you've got the extreme portability, but, if you had the 50mm, a better lens, you'd probably not use the 40mm. But, the 24mm gives you a useful range.

[RobDickinson]

50/1.8 is much better for portraits than the 40/2.8

[CrouchingWayne]

Haha interesting as the 28mm caught my eye on Jessops. I'm likely to try pick up used, so I'm scouring eBay and review sites simultaneously!

I probably need to have a think about what range of lenses I want medium term and buy to suit that, as mentioned a 50mm and a 40mm may be too close to make sense. I'll have a think.

Edited by CrouchingWayne on Thursday 14th January 20:37

[rich888]

Perhaps watch this YouTube video tutorial on the Bokeh effect when using the Canon 50mm f1.8 lens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtJR9IYue98

And another video tutorial on the Rule of Thirds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GcpP-n-94I

[Craikeybaby]

I've got the 40mm and it a good lens, but I wouldn't use it for portraits.

[toasty]

I'd broken 2 x 50mm 1.8 lenses before getting the 1.4. I'd recommend it but haven't tried the STM 1.8.

A couple of examples I've been pleased with.