Your Go To Portrait Lens?

[Canon Rumors]

I use 3 lenses for portraits.


24 f/1.4L II
50 f/1.2L
200 f/2L IS


I skip the 85 because of the sluggish AF. It's an out of this world lens, but I find the 50 to be a bit more versatile. The 200 is just out of this world.

[JR]

I use 3 lenses for portraits.


24 f/1.4L II
50 f/1.2L
200 f/2L IS


I skip the 85 because of the sluggish AF. It's an out of this world lens, but I find the 50 to be a bit more versatile. The 200 is just out of this world.

I am surprised you picked the 24 f/1.4L II over say the 35 f/1.4L.  The 24 is an amazing lens but when I tried to make portrait with it this is when I realized I was still a rookie at photography! 

Do you try to always use it levelled to the ground or do you instead like it to create special effects?  Just wondering...

[AndersBorg]

Of the lenses that i own I would say:

50mm 1.4
17-55mm 2.8 IS

- Both works very well for me, though I would like to have the 85L on a FF body for portraits

[Canon Rumors]

I am surprised you picked the 24 f/1.4L II over say the 35 f/1.4L.  The 24 is an amazing lens but when I tried to make portrait with it this is when I realized I was still a rookie at photography! 

Do you try to always use it levelled to the ground or do you instead like it to create special effects?  Just wondering...

I pick the 24 because I like how it works with APS-H and full frame. I use the 24 for up close and personal candid portrait stuff. It can give great perspective as well.

[NormanBates]

on 1.6x crop: Leitz Elmarit-R 50mm f/1.4
on fullframe: Leitz Elmarit-R 90mm f/1.4 (runner up: Samyang 85mm f/1.4)

[bycostello]

70-200 and 100 macro

[koolman]

I have a t2i crop. My choice is either 35L for half body shots - or 501.4 for head shots.

I also use the 60mm efs macro - SUPERB prime lens - but "only" 2.8

[Mt Spokane Photography]

If you had to choose both one zoom and one fixed lens as your go to portrait lens. What would they be?

First, you should tell us what body you use.  You could help get a better answer by explaining what gear you have available, and posting some exampoes of what type of portrait you like.  A prime lens will do a better job than a zoom, but a zoom has versatility and if you pose your subject far in front of the background, the background will be blurred.

You have received lots of answers, including many that assume you use the same body they use, whatever that is.

The answers from those who explain which body and lens to match they use should help you, it makes a huge difference, and  it shows that they understand the difference.

[AJ]

I like my Tokina 50-135/2.8 and Canon 85/1.8

[CanonFanNum1]

70-200 f2.8\L II IS.  Excellent for candid or not, DOF at 200mm with f2.8 is striking.

And... same argument for 300 f2.8 if you can get your hands on one.

[Harley]

Canon FL 55mm f/1.2 with Ed Mika adapter on a 7D, which equates to 88mm on FF. 

(Images from this lens are posted in the Canon Rumors Forum Lens Gallery.)

[briansquibb]

70-200 f2.8\L II IS.  Excellent for candid or not, DOF at 200mm with f2.8 is striking.

And... same argument for 300 f2.8 if you can get your hands on one.

.... and the 400 f/2.8

[rocketdesigner]

Hands down, the 70-200 f/2.8is II or the 70-200 f/2.8is II or the 70-200 f/2.8is II. No contest.

A well known blogger Jem Schofiled had a rather interesting response to this question in an on line interview:

http://bit.ly/thoNoq

He claims that the 70-200 L II F4 is his choice over the 70-200 L II f 2.8 because it "holds focus" better.

Since I just sold my f4 to get the f2.8, was I wrong ... is he technically correct?

I know lens choice is subjective, but he seems to make a fairly bold statement.

[GlamourDave]

I use the 50 f/1.4, the 85 f/1.8 and the 70-200 f/2.8 II IS with my 7D body.

[MazV-L]

for prime, 85 f/1.2L II hands down. 70-200 f/2.8 IS II would be my choice of zoom as well.

My choice as well.