Portraiture Lens

[Peter_AUS]

From the reading I have done it seems that they use something in the range of 85mm - 135mm depending on the equipment, studio size and types of portraiture that they are taking. Remember if using Digital to take into account the x factor of the sensor, e.g. on my 10D an 85mm would be equivalent to a 136mm lens, a 50mm lens would be 80mm equivalent lens.

[Michael Fanelli]

From the reading I have done it seems that they use something in the range of 85mm - 135mm depending on the equipment, studio size and types of portraiture that they are taking. Remember if using Digital to take into account the x factor of the sensor, e.g. on my 10D an 85mm would be equivalent to a 136mm lens, a 50mm lens would be 80mm equivalent lens.

Although I don't take many portraits, I was under the impression that the mild telephotos used are chosen for their perspective and the slight flattening of the image. If so, the 1.6 factor has no effect, that just limits the FOV. Am I right or wrong?

[another view]

I think you're both right. 85-135 has always been the "classic" range because of the good type of distortion you get from a mild telephoto (i.e. compression, but not enough to be really obvious). That characteristic won't change when using, for example, an 85mm on a film camera or DSLR - only the angle of view. So with that same 85mm, you'll have to stand farther away and that might change your interaction with your subject. I don't do a lot of portraits, but something to consider.

That said, I've seen great portraits taken with lenses from 14mm (on film) to over 300mm. It all depends on the effect you're after.

[Liz]

I use both the 85mm/f1.8 and the 50mm/f1.4 for portraits. Personally I prefer the 50mm - IMO the color rendition is better, great bokeh and I prefer the shorter focal length.


Liz

I think you're both right. 85-135 has always been the "classic" range because of the good type of distortion you get from a mild telephoto (i.e. compression, but not enough to be really obvious). That characteristic won't change when using, for example, an 85mm on a film camera or DSLR - only the angle of view. So with that same 85mm, you'll have to stand farther away and that might change your interaction with your subject. I don't do a lot of portraits, but something to consider.

That said, I've seen great portraits taken with lenses from 14mm (on film) to over 300mm. It all depends on the effect you're after.