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Author Topic: Better lens for portrait?  (Read 2513 times)

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Offline alxcoghe

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Better lens for portrait?
« on: December 11, 2010, 10:08:28 AM »
Actually, which is the better micro four thirds lens ideal for portraits?

I think that in next future i'll need of this. I know that panasonic is better in lenses that oly. For my e-p1 what are your suggests. I don't wanna an expensive lens, but one tha works good.

Offline voyager

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Re: Better lens for portrait?
« Reply #1 on: December 11, 2010, 05:48:09 PM »
It seems like a portrait lens is one of the few things that seems to be almost entirely missing from the Micro Four Thirds lineup. The ideal portrait range is around 70mm equivalent, which the 20mm doesn't even come close to.
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adash

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Re: Better lens for portrait?
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2010, 10:00:08 PM »
An adapted OM 50 F/1.8. MF and precise focusing via the magnified view, assuming that you have enough time to photograph your subject. When photographing head and shoulders only, the background is so blurred that it is completely unrecognizable.

Offline peterb666

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Re: Better lens for portrait?
« Reply #3 on: December 12, 2010, 01:53:54 AM »
In full frame, it use to be from around 85mm to 135mm so that works out at around 40mm to 68mm. I use the Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95 quite a lot but then I also like shooting with wide lenses. 

In 1.5 crop cameras, I borrowed a Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 AF-D lens and was stunned by the quality of its bokeh and it is ideal for portraits. The owner of that lens uses it extensively for portraits, obviously from a sligtly longer distance. Now if only there was something like a 60-150mm f/2.x zoom in MFT. I would expect a Olympus 35-100 f/2 with an adater would be interesting, subject to the quality of the bokeh.

It really is difficult to say what the best lens is, it depends on your working distance.
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Offline peterb666

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Re: Better lens for portrait?
« Reply #4 on: December 12, 2010, 01:59:38 AM »
Here are some portraits I have taken with the Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95 ...


North Narrabeen 20 v by peterb666, on Flickr


Hair Dressing in Hyde Park-4 by peterb666, on Flickr


3 Judy by peterb666, on Flickr

This latter one is really a 3/4 shot...


12 Ben by peterb666, on Flickr
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Offline mikmas101

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Re: Better lens for portrait?
« Reply #5 on: December 12, 2010, 06:09:08 AM »
Actually, which is the better micro four thirds lens ideal for portraits?
I don't wanna an expensive lens, but one tha works good.

A cheap alternative that retains AF etc and gives you a useful focal range is the Olympus 4/3 40-150mm. I had one for a short time and it was very good (just not my cup of tea). They are very inexpensive now and even adding the required 4/3 to m4/3 adapter keeps them below the price of equivalent native zooms. I picked on up 2nd hand from a local photography dealer for $60.
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Offline kimba1970

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Re: Better lens for portrait?
« Reply #6 on: December 12, 2010, 06:14:59 AM »
I have been using my Konica 50 mm f 1,8 with my EPL1  and I am quite happy with the results when it comes to portraits. I have being looking for a 40 mm f 1,8 again from Konica... it probably would be better suited as a 80 mm equivalent..


The Bokeh is quite good while the portrait can easily kept very sharp..


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Offline alxcoghe

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Re: Better lens for portrait?
« Reply #7 on: December 12, 2010, 08:12:24 AM »
Thank you all for your precious suggests!!!  ;)

Panther

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Re: Better lens for portrait?
« Reply #8 on: December 12, 2010, 03:41:31 PM »
How about the Panasonic/Leica 45mm f/2.8?

adash

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Re: Better lens for portrait?
« Reply #9 on: December 12, 2010, 10:30:38 PM »
Quote
How about the Panasonic/Leica 45mm f/2.8?
I guess it's too expensive.

Offline voyager

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Re: Better lens for portrait?
« Reply #10 on: December 12, 2010, 10:40:35 PM »
Using a dedicated macro lens for portrait just doesn't seem...right.
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adash

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Re: Better lens for portrait?
« Reply #11 on: December 12, 2010, 11:51:18 PM »
Quote
Using a dedicated macro lens for portrait just doesn't seem...right.
Oh, no, it will work, but it's a sort of an overkill.

If it wasn't for the Autofocus speed when adapted, I would recommend Sigma 18-50 F/2.8 EX DC MACRO with 4/3 mount. I have it on my K-r and it's a fantastic lens, lots of bokeh at 50mm F/2.8 and pretty sharp too!

Offline voyager

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Re: Better lens for portrait?
« Reply #12 on: December 13, 2010, 01:09:52 AM »
Exactly, I know it will work, but it's quite expensive and it's not the primary use of the lens.
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Offline cosinaphile

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Re: Better lens for portrait?
« Reply #13 on: December 13, 2010, 05:52:04 AM »
currently the best lens for a portrait is any decent 50 1.8 \1.4 with an adapter , mf is best anyway with portraits with shallow dof you can choose the exact area of crispest focus. ive got many

Offline alxcoghe

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Re: Better lens for portrait?
« Reply #14 on: December 13, 2010, 06:32:43 AM »
This:

Noktor 50 mm f/0.95 Hyperprime

http://noktor.com/products.php

But i would a lens like a 24-70mm, maybe. Most versatile...

 

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