Whatever lens gets you out there is the best one. You can portrait on a 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm, whatever, just get out there! I for one love 28mm and 35mm for the dramatic wide look.
Portraits (on full-frame cameras): 24 or 28mm - group 35mm - environmental 50mm - full or 3/4 length 85 or 90mm - half-length or head & shoulders 105 or 135mm - tight face
I used to think all I needed was an 85mm for portraits but boy was I wrong. Now I used 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and 135mm for portrait lenses depending on the scene. If its a portrait scene, I will go with 85mm. If My subject is too far out and I need that reach, the 135mm will be the lens to shoot. When I want to capture a landscape shot with the subject, then I'll go with my 24mm or 35mm. For unique and close shots, its either 35mm or 50mm. Only lens I haven't got yet or try is the 14mm so hopefully i can do that soon. Only time I will use Zoom lenses like the 24-70mm is when our time is short or they have moving kids or we have to move fast because of weather. Very versatile but will not give you that creamy F/1.4 bokeh look. :)
As an aspiring portrait photographer, this helped me a lot! Thanks for this video! I was debating to get either a 24-70mm or a 85mm prime and this video made the choice easier! 😊
I started with a 35mm and 50mm 1.8. Since I got a 85mm 1.8, this is my go to for portraits. I also started to include a 70-200mm 2.8. I love this also. I am considering now to use a 105mm 1.8 The 85mm is a great lens. To be honest, take any lens and take photo you want. Photography is about your vision. Start with what you have, and then you can invest. Have fun 🎉
I am mostly shoot street but I have used a 35 f1.4 GM & 85 f1.4 GM for portrait shoots.The 35 GM is just magic, easy to shoot with. The 85 GM is showing a bit of age already, slow auto focus but images are still tact sharp. I have recently bought a 50 f1.4 GM, and excited to use it for next shoots. 🔥
This is my biggest obstacle right now, I went to Whistler bc for my birthday and I just got back and I realize I am really good at wide angle shots but I need to really learn how to use the portrait focal length it’s a big intimidating but I know I can do it, thank you for sharing this with us 🎉❤😊
What I use for portraits/weddings, etc: Sony a6600 apsc: Tamron 17mm - 70mm, 2.8 Sony a7iv FE with a Samyang 24mm - 70mm, 2.8 Combined with a speedlight, this is all I need for any type of job. Wide angle only comes into when I'm trrying to captue more sky, tree or architecture. Very rarely will I use anything longer, unless a shoot requires higher detail from a greater distance.
Great advice Pat. I agree with you 100%. I have gone with a 50 f1.4 as my first fast prime and love the ‘middle ground’ versatility. Next on my wish list is the 24GM. I use my 90 Macro for some tighter shots but don’t find myself using it that much.
Why do you even care who he follows? Or even if it’s you? I’d love for the photographers that I respect to find something on mine worth following over, but realistically, I don’t expect people as busy as they are to ever even see it, and that’s just fine.
