Any help would be much appreciated Answers above are good.
I'd just like to emphasize that portraits are about PERSPECTIVE. Perspective is affected by distance from subject, NOT focal length. Focal length allows you to get the desired distance from subject (and therefore achieve the desired perspective) with the desired framing.
Perspective with regards to the subject is exactly the same with a 24mm lens and a 135mm lens (although at the wide end you may have LENS distortion, which is different), assuming you are standing at the same distance from the subject.
This may sound like splitting hairs, but it explains why photographers don't *typically* shoot traditional portraits from very far away using a giant telephoto, and why a wide angle may be more appropriate for environmental portraits than a classic "portrait length."
So, a 50mm lens is a great "standard" portrait length on a D-SLR, because it allows you to get traditional portrait framing at a distance flattering to most models.
On 35mm full frame, 85-135mm is the generally agreed upon portrait range, which works out to be roughly 50-85mm on a crop D-SLR. Within that range, what looks best is to a certain extent subjective. And even outside of that range.... I'm looking at a close-up portrait of Mel Brooks by Alan Sheldon right now taken with a wider than average lens (80mm on Med Format)... it makes a statement! Rules are made to be broken, but always know the rules and know WHY you're choosing to break them. It is far too short if used with a 35mm camera. A 85mm or 105mm is the portrait standard for 35mm film. Short lenses will elongate the persons facial features and look distorted (bigger nose for instance)
If you have a Canon with a 1.6x focal length multiplier, then you are closer (80mm) to a true portrait lens.
If you have a Nikon camera with a 1.5x focal length multiplier the 60mm macro will equate to a 90mm lens, again a good portrait lens length.
More and more you find portraits are taken using some kind of fast (f/2.8 or better) zoom lens with focal lengths like the 24-85mm. The the photographer has more flexibility when shooting the subject they are ok if you get really close and fill the frame
what Mr Ace said is bang on!! 105mm is considered the standard portriat lenght, 135mm is ok for "bigger" faces as it compresses them and "slims" them
85mm is better for waife models - i find
a I assume we're talking 35mm film:
Head to toe: great.
Head and shoulders: use a 70.
Head: 85.
Why? In close a 50 will make noses look bigger.
By the way, when you put your 50 on a small-sensor DSLR it does NOT necome a longer lens.
Hope this helps. | 