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Archive 2010 · Portrait lens for 5D

rdschida
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Portrait lens for 5D

Hello everyone!

I've been looking into a fast lens for my newly purchased 5D, and I'm wondering what you might recommend in the $500 range? From what I've seen, the OM 55/1.2 and Rokkor 58/1.2 are both good choices, but I'm wondering if I'm missing something? I have an EF 85/1.8, which covers the moderate telephoto end. What I'm really looking for is a lens that has great bokeh and IQ. Your help would be greatly appreciated!

Sep 14, 2010 at 05:38 PM

Wolfe_boy
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Portrait lens for 5D

Get a 50 1.8 and a flash that tilts & swivels, then learn how to use the flash. It'll have a better effect on your pictures than a manual focus legacy lens will.

Sep 14, 2010 at 05:42 PM

alexandre
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Portrait lens for 5D

OM 55/1.2 will be less than $500, so will the Pentax 50's. More like $300-$350 I guess.
If you don't *need* f/1.2 I'd try the Sigma 50/1.4. It has AF, no mod required, and it's $500.
Rokkors are in this price tag, as Zuiko 50/1.2. I'd go for one of these as the alt option. As you can see if you search, Rokkors require 5D mirror shaving.

Sep 14, 2010 at 05:43 PM

rdschida
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Portrait lens for 5D

I've had the 50 1.8 but it snapped in half falling on the carpet. It had great IQ and I loved it, but I would prefer to have something a little more durable. I'll keep that in mind though!

Sep 14, 2010 at 05:45 PM

melanopsin
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Portrait lens for 5D

The Canon 1.8/50 is a fine lens, at less than $100. The older version with metal mount is more durable, but sells used for more.

The Super- and Super-Multi-Coated Takumars 1.8/55 are alts that provide sharpness and bokeh for less than $50-75. The 5D mirror clears.

The Nikkor 1.8/50 are also very good, non-AI, AI, & AI-S in order of increasing price & more lens coatings. Mirror clears.

Sep 14, 2010 at 05:58 PM

SJMD
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Portrait lens for 5D

What focal length do you want? That does make a difference.

Sep 14, 2010 at 06:05 PM

rdschida
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Portrait lens for 5D

SJMD wrote:
What focal length do you want? That does make a difference.

I was initially looking into something in the 50mm range. I have a 24 and an 85 already. I am open to anything 100 and up to 200 though!

Sep 14, 2010 at 08:15 PM

Sami Ruusunen
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Portrait lens for 5D

get yourself c/y Zeiss 50/1.7 thats sharp, durable, maybe not the best bokeh though. If you want that gaussian blur type of bokeh, get sigma 50/1.4

Sep 15, 2010 at 05:21 AM

mirkoc
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Portrait lens for 5D

Carl Zeiss Jena MC Sonnar 135/3.5 is known for beautiful bokeh. Not the fastest but very, very sharp wide open.

Here is a sample.

Sep 15, 2010 at 07:43 AM

RustyBug
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Portrait lens for 5D

I've got an EF 100 2.0 that works very nicely (not alt) and the Nikon 105 2.5 AIS similar to what Patrick (wheezingtrumpet) has used. I'm also thinking about the Mamyia 110 or the Mamiya 80 1.9.

For portraits, the 50 1.7 might be too sharp, and can have a slight touch of nervous bokeh at certain aps/distances. Great lens (got one) but wouldn't pull it out for portraits.

The CZ Sonnar 135/2.8 would be an excellent choice (wish list) and would fit very well as a nice jump from the 85 ... and still have money to get the 50 1.7.

I've also got the Mamyia 150 2.8 A. It seems that all my Mamiya glass excels at midrange (i.e. portrait) distances even more so than the either end.

Recommending one ... Sonnar 135 2.8

Sep 15, 2010 at 08:52 AM

Anden
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Portrait lens for 5D

Start with the 85? It is a great portrait lens.

Sep 15, 2010 at 09:12 AM

RZetter
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Portrait lens for 5D

Does it have to be alt?

The Sigma 50mm is a safe bet. Although it's quite wide for a "normal", more like 45mm than 50mm.

Of course there's a lot cheaper alt alternatives.

Sep 15, 2010 at 10:36 AM

carstenw
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Portrait lens for 5D

For less than $500, get an 80 Lux at gunpoint

Sep 15, 2010 at 12:57 PM

sebboh
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Portrait lens for 5D

at 50mm it seems the sigma actually has a smoother bokeh than any of the other autofocus 50s by any brand (and probably most if not all the old manual focus 50s). if you're considering a longer lens the nikkor 105mm f/2.5 AIS is an excellent lens for both portraits and landscape with a very good bokeh (in my opinion), and it can be found for ~$150. if you want faster, the nikkor 105mm f/1.8 AIS is supposed to be just as sharp and a stop faster (just barely under $500).

Sep 15, 2010 at 02:21 PM

ManWearPants
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Portrait lens for 5D

I second or third the Sigmalux for 50mm. The Samyang 35 due to be available soon may also be a good option for full body portraiture. The Leica Summicron-R 50/2, the Contax 50/1.4 should also be within this budget.

Nikkor AI-S 105/2.5.

Sep 16, 2010 at 05:34 AM


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