portrait bokeh I would like to know if this is the best lens for bokeh., if not wich one is the best? because I'm starting in photography and the kind of pictures that i like is with the background blurring.if here have any profecional photographer I would like some tips also.thanks portrait bokeh I would like to know if this is the best lens for bokeh., if not wich one is the best? because I'm starting in photography and the kind of pictures that i like is with the... » Read More portrait bokeh I would like to know if this is the best lens for bokeh., if not wich one is the best? because I'm starting in photography and the kind of pictures that i like is with the background blurring.if here have any profecional photographer I would like some tips also.thanks « Show Less
859392
Another general thing to keep in mind, is the number of blades the lens has. The more blades, the rounder the bokeh balls will appear in the background. Anything less than 8 blades is going to produce less flattering shapes. This lens (like the 85mm 1.2) has 8 blades, which is great.
859393
CWBaker. you wrote "Need 3D pop? Add telephoto and wide aperture and focus carefully" Please explain a little clearer? I'm a bit of a newbie and want 3d pop! Thanks.
859394
If this isn't the best it's very close to it, the bokeh is great, very fast aperture, very fast and acurate focus, dependable will last for years and and if you order soon You get $50 rebate on what is already a great price. If you search the net you can find some great samples taken with this lens.
101537
Any lens that is f/2.8 or faster should give you great bokeh. At f/1.8 on this lens, the background disappears to nice colors. For insane background blur and very shallow depth of field, try the 85/1.2. That will render the background a single color usually. However, the price might persuade you to get the 1.8, which compares very well to the 1.2. Also, the 135/2 is spectacular for background separation. Need 3D pop? Add telephoto and wide aperture and focus carefully. If you know what you're doing you won't be let down. I can't say enough good things about the 85/1.8.
859395
best bokeh is 85mm f/1.2 but it is HUGE and HEAVY...not practical for everyday walk around use.
316097
The Oly 45mm 1.8 is a great lens, great for portraits. As far as the 60mm being too long for portraits, I hear a lot of people use the Oly 75mm for portaits as well. In any event, the Sigma 60mm is really a great lens for the money; Sigma's website lists it as a portrait lens (for what it's worth).
1398788
It is a great lens for portraits. That's what I primarily use it for. Another good option is an 85mm.
1204899
Dude this is a great lens, but if your looking for a portrait lens either the 50mm/f1.4 or 35mm/f1.4 or both would be best. Don't get me wrong you can use this lens also, but the 50mm or the 35mm would be a better choice. Any of the lens below would work just fine, the last one would be Manual focus on your camera, but it is a cheap lens which is a fantastic beater lens. Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S FX SWM Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 1449.00 Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 449.00Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 77mm filter 449.00 Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 120.00 Dude this is a great lens, but if your looking for a portrait lens either the 50mm/f1.4 or 35mm/f1.4 or both would be best. Don't get me wrong you can use this lens also, but the 50mm or the 35mm would be a better choice. Any of the lens below would work just fine, the last one would be Manual focus on your camera, but it is a cheap lens which is a fantastic beater lens. Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S FX SWM Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 1449.00 Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 449.00Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for... » Read More Dude this is a great lens, but if your looking for a portrait lens either the 50mm/f1.4 or 35mm/f1.4 or both would be best. Don't get me wrong you can use this lens also, but the 50mm or the 35mm would be a better choice. Any of the lens below would work just fine, the last one would be Manual focus on your camera, but it is a cheap lens which is a fantastic beater lens. Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S FX SWM Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 1449.00 Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 449.00Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 77mm filter 449.00 Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 120.00 « Show Less
1241570
This lens is wonderful for portraits. The focal length gives you lots of reach and at 70mm @f4 you have decent bokeh, the only gripe that someone could have about it for a portrait is the fact that it only goes down to f4 which means you dont have that beautiful shallow depth of field that really works nicely in portraits.
1507361
You don't like zoom and you want more bokeh. I would recommend spending money on better glass, instead of on a new body. I would recommend either the SEL50F18 or the SEL35F18. The 50mm is considerably cheaper, but the focal length might be too long for indoor shooting. I have the SEL35F18 and absolutely love the lens and the resulting shots.
1429335
This lens is a great portrait photography lens-the compression due the the length of the lens is very flattering. Furthermore, shooting from farther away can help create the blurry/bokeh backgrounds people love in portraits (although not quite as much so as the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens). It also can work well for indoor performances since you can get pictures of varying closeness by zooming (providing you're not super close or super far away). As for landscapes and sunsets, I personally do not shoot that type of photography, but I tend to hear that most landscape photographers like using wide-angle lens rather than telephoto lens like this one. This lens is a great portrait photography lens-the compression due the the length of the lens is very flattering. Furthermore, shooting from farther away can help create the blurry/bokeh backgrounds people love in portraits (although not quite as much so as the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens). It also can work well for indoor performances since you can get pictures of varying closeness by zooming (providing you're not super close or super far away). As for landscapes and sunsets, I personally do not shoot that type of photography, but I tend to hear that most landscape photographers like using... » Read More This lens is a great portrait photography lens-the compression due the the length of the lens is very flattering. Furthermore, shooting from farther away can help create the blurry/bokeh backgrounds people love in portraits (although not quite as much so as the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens). It also can work well for indoor performances since you can get pictures of varying closeness by zooming (providing you're not super close or super far away). As for landscapes and sunsets, I personally do not shoot that type of photography, but I tend to hear that most landscape photographers like using wide-angle lens rather than telephoto lens like this one. « Show Less
678605
In my opinion it depends on what your main reason for using the lens is. If you don't NEED the 2.8 then go with the 4, I don't think IQ is dramatically better or worse. Unless there was ever a time while you were using the f/4 that you were like "man I wish I could stop down to 2.8," I would just stick to the f/4.Edit: Just saw on another reply you said something about portraits, if you are going to use the lens for portraits at all the 2.8 is amazing, the bokeh is simply stunning.
1680734
That is really a great question. I truthfully am only an amateur with very expensive taste. I have taken many photos with the lens and thought that it was a fine lens. However, from what I have read, I would think that your best results would not come from a zoom lens. Please though remember, your best answer would come from someone who does portraiture.
1421742
if you are asking about bokeh, then you will not be satisfied with the kit lens. the kit lens is extremely sharp with fast focusing but lacks in bokeh. i use a zeiss 50 1.5 with a leica adapter as my regular point and shoot setup and shooting it at 1.5 gives me great bokeh but it's a manual focus setup. if you have to have auto focus then i would look at the other lenses but the kite lens is not for you.
809690
There is definitely a noticeable difference. The 56 has most definitely been my go to for portraits. On top of the sharpness there is also a creamy character to the bokeh. Overall this lens brings a magical quality to the images.
400858
Chromatic Aberration causes blurry pictures. I have been using this lens for over 4 months and I didn't take any blurry pictures. But also I have been using this only for indoor portrait photos since I bought it. So I am not sure what would be the result outside with nature pictures and more complicated backgrounds. Now I am also curious about this problem too. :-/
848890
Ok, great info as usual! I'm not going to be taking many close up "macro" type shots or shots with focused forground objects w/ blurred backgrounds to start off, and I really like the 24-105 f/4 L IS lens, would that be probobly the best "walk around" lens for the XSi then? Also, can a 2.8 lens take landscape / scenic shots where the foreground and background are both in focus? I am confused about that with the f# & lenses.The night railroading shots I posted before are a main priority and I have seen some excellent night / low light posted images under the 24-105 f/4 L IS lens here on Amazon.I have a question on the 50D kit lens quality but I'll try to post that under the 50D discussions. Thanks again for all your input. Ok, great info as usual! I'm not going to be taking many close up "macro" type shots or shots with focused forground objects w/ blurred backgrounds to start off, and I really like the 24-105 f/4 L IS lens, would that be probobly the best "walk around" lens for the XSi then? Also, can a 2.8 lens take landscape / scenic shots where the foreground and background are both in focus? I am confused about that with the f# & lenses.The night railroading shots I posted before are a main priority and I have seen some excellent night / low light... » Read More Ok, great info as usual! I'm not going to be taking many close up "macro" type shots or shots with focused forground objects w/ blurred backgrounds to start off, and I really like the 24-105 f/4 L IS lens, would that be probobly the best "walk around" lens for the XSi then? Also, can a 2.8 lens take landscape / scenic shots where the foreground and background are both in focus? I am confused about that with the f# & lenses.The night railroading shots I posted before are a main priority and I have seen some excellent night / low light posted images under the 24-105 f/4 L IS lens here on Amazon.I have a question on the 50D kit lens quality but I'll try to post that under the 50D discussions. Thanks again for all your input. « Show Less
648859
While its completely up to you, I will say that this lens is the best for the price in my personal opinion. I feel its a perfect walk about lens and is great for portraiture. I have used it for video but unless you have an external mic, you will be able to hear the motor. I also agree that the auto focus can be slow so I tend to use this one manually. It's not perfect but for someone who lives on a tight budget, it works great for me :)
2065298
Well at these focal lengths it's all about compression. Either one will do well but the 135 wide open is probably the way to go since you start at f/2 vs f/2.8 for the 200mm. Your bokeh will be really good on either wide open but in reality be better on the 135 since you will be at f/2 as you're picking up a stop or so. If you are only going to use it for portraits and you don't need the reach you should get the 135mm since it is the f/2 golden child greatness of Canon's lens selections and you can take advantage of it with your FF sensor wide open. Here's a video that shows all the aspects of compression.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fzh9eQDhL4 Well at these focal lengths it's all about compression. Either one will do well but the 135 wide open is probably the way to go since you start at f/2 vs f/2.8 for the 200mm. Your bokeh will be really good on either wide open but in reality be better on the 135 since you will be at f/2 as you're picking up a stop or so. If you are only going to use it for portraits and you don't need the reach you should get the 135mm since it is the f/2 golden child greatness of Canon's lens selections and you can take advantage of it with your FF sensor wide open. Here's a video that shows all the aspects... » Read More Well at these focal lengths it's all about compression. Either one will do well but the 135 wide open is probably the way to go since you start at f/2 vs f/2.8 for the 200mm. Your bokeh will be really good on either wide open but in reality be better on the 135 since you will be at f/2 as you're picking up a stop or so. If you are only going to use it for portraits and you don't need the reach you should get the 135mm since it is the f/2 golden child greatness of Canon's lens selections and you can take advantage of it with your FF sensor wide open. Here's a video that shows all the aspects of compression.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fzh9eQDhL4 « Show Less
352996
85mm is amazing lens, crisp images. Great for portrait shoots. The problem is it is a manual focus lens. It takes time to get good using it but its worth the price.
1917664
Hi B. Sabb, I have use this lens for at least 2 yrs and taking tons of photo with that. It is a very sharp lens after f2.8 and excellent for portraiture. But it is not focus quick. If u want a quick Pentax lens, u might consider the one with "screw-drive" only, say the DA70. It is super sharp and focus quick. Enjoy your shooting. If u want to take your kids photo, i recommend u take the FA31 instead. As kids always move sudden and go closer to u, a wider lens is much better. Adam