File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
What exactly makes a good portrait lens? I've wanted to do protraits for ages but I never got around to buy an adequate lens - partially because I don't know fuck about portrait photography.
Is there something special about portrait lenses? How important is focal length? Can I do portraits with 50mm?
>> Anonymous
A "portrait lens" is presumed to have the following characteristics:

- Focal length (35mm equivalent focal length on digital cameras) of 50-200 mm; longer FLs are used for headshots, shorter for full-body shots.
- Large aperture to control background blurring.
- Smooth bokeh - this includes not only the shape of highlights in the background, but also the smoothness of focus to out-of-focus transitions.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>142453
Truth.

However: You can take portraits with any type of lens. Beethy keeps taking portraits with the wide end of a 10-22, for instance (although, granted, he keeps making his models' foreheads look XBOXHUEG that way. But done properly, it could work)

I usually use my nifty-fifty for my portrait lens. Took a portrait yesterday with my 35mm f/2.0.
>> Anonymous
soft focus

instant airbrush win
>> Anonymous
50mm is ideal portrait lens for torso shots on crop sensor (or whole body if you can get some distance), nearest primes you can get are usually around 80mm and that's simply too much for crops (OK for headshots)

Best I can suggest is that you take some super cheap manual focus superzoom and try to look through it to see what focal lenghts are interesting for you

also, as above poster suggested, it's also about smoothness (not sharpness, as you don't want deadly sharp face in portraits)
>> Anonymous
smearing margarine on a UV filter also works

if you can't get a hold of a soft focus lens
>> Anonymous
>>142463
Most soft focus lenses aren't worth paying for now. If you're lazy to airbrush, just shoop in a semi-transparent lens-blurred layer for instant soft focus effect. (There are rare special soft focus lenses like the Nikkor 135mm "Defocus Control" that are much harder to imitate, though)
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>142474

oh hai guize
>> Anonymous
>>142493
This one is FUCKAWESOME, but it's not a "soft focus" lens. It produces an extremely smooth background blur, but objects in focus remain perfectly sharp.
>> Butterfly !xlgRMYva6s
>>142505
Agreed, one of my friends is getting one and its just OMFG *splurg*. Seriously! You wont want to use normal bokeh after using it.
>> Anonymous
Wow, replies, replies and even more replies! Thanks a lot! From what I get, something like the Canon EF 50mm f/1,4 USM should be pretty good for portraits. But how do I know if it's got that smooth bokeh?
>> des
>>142474
The 135/DC is vely nice.
Nikon soft 2 is my favourite soft filter, but I only ever use it for couples.
>>shoop
eh, it's not the same
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>142493


i herd u said stf
>> Anonymous
>>142526

i use that lens for portraits as well, its bang for you buck, it works good in low light as well
>> Anonymous
>>142493

The only truly outstanding lens in the Sony lineup.
>> Anonymous
The fantastic plastic is a great portrait lens.

Also, Instead of getting a soft focus lens, you could just get a soft focus filter ya know?
>> thefamilyman !!rTVzm2BgTOa
     File :-(, x)
>>142493
Nice to meet you

Camera-Specific Properties:Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS2 WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution240 dpiVertical Resolution240 dpiImage Created2007:02:17 12:22:09Color Space InformationsRGBImage Width600Image Height500
>> I||ICIT !!mknjFN/v/49
     File :-(, x)
>>142764
i feel so inadequate...

Camera-Specific Properties:Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS2 WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution240 dpiVertical Resolution240 dpiImage Created2008:02:19 00:23:35Color Space InformationsRGBImage Width640Image Height510
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
WARS OF GEAR
>> Anonymous
>>142799
because you're the only one ITT that can be decently imitated in photoshop.
>> Blackadder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
>>143015

It never looks quite the same if you try that.

If you do want to try them and don't have the native camera body it's easy enough and cheap to adapt any of them to the EF mount though. Ideal candidates for it.
>> Anonymous
post sample pics please
>> Anonymous
An 85-100mm is the proper way to go to get the most pleasing results. There's really a big difference between a shot taken with a 50mm compared to a 85, although not in the angle captured.

I used to own a canon 100mm f/2.0 lens and it was awesome, until i got my 85/1.2L II ;)