Canon Portrait Lenses
Email to Park Cameras
Hello,
I am about to upgrade to the Canon 5D mk ii camera and also want to buy a new lens. I'd like a new portrait lens but am also interested in starting macro photography. I'm considering the canon lenses EF 85mm 1.2L II, 70-200mm 2.8L IS (mkI) or 100mm 2.8L IS macro. Ideally I'd like all three but need to start with just one.
I currently own a canon 20D and a digital rebel (considering getting this altered for infra-red) with following lenses: 24-105mm f4L IS; 24-70mm 2.8L, 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS, 18-55mm kit lens from rebel
I shoot children, babies, families, small weddings, school prom and looking to start flower photography. The new lens needs to be a good portrait lens, suitable for indoor low light as well as outdoors so I'm leaning towards the 85mm however, am concerned its too slow to focus and would the macro lens be a cheaper option to start with so it can double as a portrait and macro lens? The 70-200mm 2.8 would prob get the most use but makes my current 70-300mm redundant without adding much depth to my lens porfolio.
Your thoughts on the best option for the 5D would be appreciated.
Many thanks,
Actual Response
Thank you for your email
You've certainly got a good selections of lenses at the moment, but I'm agree that you do lack a good portrait lens. All three would be an improvement for you and will work with varying degrees of success. The 85mm would be my choice for a portrait lens. It offers excellent sharpness and a very shallow depth of field but its very slow at focusing which can be frustrating at times.
The 100mm macro has very good sharpness but lacks the speed to really perform well in low light with your current camera (the 5D MKII on the other hand offers far better low light performance), but 100mm can be a little too long if you want to do anything other than head and shoulders shots.
The 70-200mm is the compromise and offers a good all-rounder, in conjunction with the Canon close up filters it performs well as a macro lens and without offers a good portrait lens. However the main disadvantage is the weight meaning it can be uncomfortable to use for extended periods.
All have there advantages I think the thing to do is ask yourselves what you mainly want to shot, if its portraits then the 85mm is your best choice otherwise I would go with the 100mm.
With compliments,
Nick Brookes