What constitutes a good portrait lens?

[Rob MacKillop]

I'm looking for an FD fit portrait lens, but don't know what makes a lens good for portraiture. Advice and suggestions welcome.

Rob

 

[David Mitchell]

One that takes a portrait...

They are usually longer than a normal lens, something like a 85mm, its so you can focus into the subject without being in their face lol I think its also best to get one with quite a wide aperture so that you can have lots of Bokeh behind the subject so that they are the focus of the photo rather than whats behind them.

Im sure someone will chime in with something completly different though lol

Tada

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIFZzq6D3dw

 

[Hamish Gill]

Yeah, 85-135mm range is often considered ideal for portraits ...
Its more to do with how the different focal lengths compress or other wise features ...
This demos it well

Then beyond that, what sort of portrait?
The above obviously is really to do with head and shoulder shots... where knocking the background out of focus is the ideal...
But what if you are looking for context? there is no issue using wider lenses, its just best to not fill the frame with the subjects face ...

And are you looking for sharp photos? flattering slightly soft focus? ...

There is no simple answer to be honest ... at least without answering a lot of other questions first ...

But yeah, in simple terms ... a "traditional" portrait lens would be in the 85-135 mm focal length range

 

[Rob MacKillop]

That's great, Hamish. Not thought it through - just thinking I'd like to explore it.

Thanks for the video link, David. Very funny, as usual for him.

 

[Mark Hoy]

Another factor to consider is your camera to subject distance. If you're planning on the portrait shots in a room you already have in mind- can you get far enough away to use the lens? In FD fit you choices are probably 85mm, 100mm and 135mm.

If you're shooting in natural light get the fastest lens that you can afford. It's not FD but the 85mm f/1.8 Canon lens I have takes lovely photos - soft but also sharp

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Good points, Mark. Thanks.

- - - Updated - - -

Tamron any good? Would this do? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TAMRON-1-2-8-F-135mm-BBAR-MULTI-C-TELE-LENS-for-CANON-FD-/181022569775?pt=UK_Lenses_Filters_Lenses&hash=item2a25c9352f

 

[Hamish Gill]

Not a bad lens by all accounts ... About twice the going rate ££ wise ...
search for "tamron 135 2.8" and you will find a few others with different mounts ... It's "adaptal" mounted so you can just change the mount if you buy one with a Nikon or minolta mount or whatever ... ...

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Hamish.

 

[Mark Hoy]

Canon f/2.5 135mm @£5 starting here or Sigma f/2.8 135mm for £20 here.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

They're on my Watch List. Thanks.