Hi all! I am relatively new to the forum and have learned a lot by reading the posts. I shoot Canon and do mostly outside portraits.

Just curious - what is your fav lens for outside portrait photography?

Rhonda

70-200mm f/2.8L IS.... I love it so much!

+1

+1 as well

And it's really sweeeet on my new ringflash... omg it rocks...!!!

My friend shot this of me with the 70-200/ringflash combo the other day...


Image courtesy of Marius Cannard

Yeah.... I'd have to follow suit with that as well. It's a pretty classic lens and I would certainly never leave home without it.

I've got to give mine a VERY good going over in the next couple days. Dropped my 1D2 with 70-200IS and a 580 flash attached. grrr.

Primo opportunity to send the flash off to get a new foot and a jack installed so I can fire it directly from my PW instead of needing the hotshoe cable now. Silver lining. haha.

Interesting that all who've replied loves the 70-200. I've never used that lens for outside portraits. I'm a close shooter and actually prefer the 50mm. Maybe that's because I've mostly shot kids and seniors. Anyway, I'm gonna try that the next time!

btw, rented the 50mm 1.2 a couple of weddings ago. Saweeeet! I want one of those!

Rhonda, welcome to the forum!

+1Although I'm bringing the old 200mm 1.8L out this weekend :-)If you like the 50mm 1.2, I'm wondering if you've used the 85 1.2... if not, try it! My favorite word for images I capture with that lens is "buttery"

i'll go against the grain here and vote for my 135L 2.0 its heaven in a tube!

1++++

The best and sharpest lens I ever had! I love it, especially on crop cameras like my 40d or 30d.

Mario

No, no, the 50 1.2 is "uber buttery cream"! haha. The reason I'm more partial to the 50 is cuz I have the 85 1.8 and with that I'm noticing I have to be further than I like to be from the subject and I'm having to constantly back up. With the 50 I'm moving forward instead, which for a super klutz like me who can trip on a penny on the floor, it's safer!

What ringflash are you using?

It depends on the camera.

If I'm using the 5D I love the 85 1.2. But if you are using a small sensor camera, the 50 is really great. I don't like to be too far from my subjects so the 85 on a small sensor camera doesn't really work for me but I guess that is just a style thing so take it for what it's worth

+1

Could not agree more... love love love it!

the Paul C. Buff Zeus ZR-1... it runs on my DynaLite Packs yay!

I wish I could have gotten my pupils to show the ring a bit better.... next time we'll shoot with the modeling light off and darken the studio more.... I still have a lot to learn about that thing, but it's really darn cool. Well worth the $300

Canon 35L. The only time it's not the primary lens for me is during part of the ceremony toasts and a few drag shutter shots during the dancing. Other than that I use it for everything from details to BG shots to night shooting to landscapes.

ken

used to be the 70-200 now 50 1.2

Oh my gosh.....you guys are awesome!!!! Thanks for all of the help!

Rhonda

Singles and Couples - 85 1.2

Small groups, basic details, etc - 50 1.2

On the 5D, the 50 1.2 doesn't work well for single subject close up shots. I understand the "wanting to be close to your subject" thing, but that focal length on a full frame camera will give your subject the "alien head" look. 85mm is a comfortable distance for me.

Oh, and the 70-200L is great for the unobtrusive photographer "couple walking together hand in hand" type shots.

And yes, I've used way too many quotes in this response.

Singles and Couples - 85 1.2

+1