The best lens ever for portrait photography
I've been shooting portraits for quite a while and there are a TON of lenses that would qualify as "the best lens ever" but I'm specifically focusing on the best portrait lens. Well...i guess you could say the best lenses ever since some prefer one over the other but I'm specifically going to focus on my top 3 best lenses ever to use for portrait photography and their pros and cons.
1. The Sigma 85mm 1.4 Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Large Aperture Medium Telephoto Prime Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
This lens absolutely rocks!! I've had it forever and use it for both video and stills. The 1.4 aperture give you that extra light boost to open up the lens in low light situations. Also, it's fairly light compared to some other lenses out there. If I'm doing portraits or headshots on a shoot solo where I don't have an assistant then this lens is my choice because I can hold a Lastolite reflector in one hand and shoot away with the other hand. You can also buy the reflector here which I totally recommend for solo shoots: Lastolite LL LR3631 33-Inch TriGrip Reflector (White/Silver)
Some of my favorite photographers around town use this 85mm lens including a national favorite photographer of mine Dani Diamond. The only downside to this lens is that you have to shoot pretty shallow (at least 1.8) to get the bokeh you want if you don't want to be in their face. If you are wanting a bit more distance between you and the subject I would recommend a longer lens. BUT this lens still rocks and for most portrait work you can kill it as a photographer. I would kiss this lens...oh yes...I would. So if you wanted to say which one is the best lens ever...well this would be my first choice. :)
2. The Canon 70-200mm 2.8 Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Ok so if you check out this Canon 70-200mm lens it's a slightly a bit more expensive than the 85mm BUT I use this lens for a LOT of my work especially with headshots or executive portraits. This would be the best lens ever for headshots IMO (in my opinion for those who aren't hip to text lingo).
The reason I love this lens is you can really distance yourself from your subject and it slims their face up...i mean so much more than the 85 that sometimes I think I'm in a fantasy land. Ok...maybe I'm getting carried away but it will make any subject feel so much better when they see the results especially if anyone is a bit self conscious about their weight.
Regardless the bokeh is out of control amazing. It just blurs the crap out of the background and gives a killer image for actors and entrepreneurs because it really draws focus to them. Now it doesn't got down to 1.4 but who cares because when you zoom into between 100 and 200 you still get even more bokeh and background separation.
So you may be asking...well then...why wouldn't I just get the 70-200 Hunter!!?? Well, because it's freaking heavy and if you are holding a reflector and also this lens on your camera it's not the most fun ever. If you are shooting in a studio on a tripod or just dealing with the camera and have strobes and a crew then heck...it's the bombdizzle. The best lens ever? Well, you be the judge.
3. Sigma 50mm 1.4 Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Ok Ok so here is my last lens suggestion for the best lens ever. I know it really should be lenses but I just love my lenses! I pick the sigma over canon because of cost and quite frankly I think the sigma are just as sharp or even better. Sorry Canon. :(
The nifty 50 or prime 50mm sigma lense is phenomenal and you can pretty much get by with this lens in MOST situations. If you are switching between full body, medium and maybe a few closeups for portraits this lens will have a more normal look to it. It's the lightest of the the 3 and you can still get that shallow depth of field. I've used this lens on some fashion shoots as well and got some great results.
The only con I would say for close up portraits or headshots is that it's not the most flattering and you will have to be right in their face unless you plan on cropping the image later which will lose quality. Also you won't get great bokeh with this lens. But it's a great all around lens. For many this would be the best lens ever because you can shoot all kinds of different subject matter and most people wouldn't know the difference. Below is a sample using the Sigma 50mm 1.4.
So there you have it! I'm a Canon guy so all my lenses are used with my Canon 6D and I'm super happy with how they all come out. If you are looking into getting into portrait photography these are great lenses to research.
