Author Topic: Better lens for portrait? (Read 1513 times)

alxcoghe · « **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.

voyager · « **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.

adash · « **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.

peterb666 · « **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.

peterb666 · « **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

mikmas101 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2010, 06:09:08 AM »

Quote from: alxcoghe on December 11, 2010, 10:08:28 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.

kimba1970 · « **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..

Details

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

Details

alxcoghe · « **Reply #7 on:** December 12, 2010, 08:12:24 AM »

Thank you all for your precious suggests!!!

Panther · « **Reply #8 on:** December 12, 2010, 03:41:31 PM »

How about the Panasonic/Leica 45mm f/2.8?

adash · « **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.

voyager · « **Reply #10 on:** December 12, 2010, 10:40:35 PM »

Using a dedicated macro lens for portrait just doesn't seem...right.

adash · « **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!

voyager · « **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.

cosinaphile · « **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

alxcoghe · « **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...

Better lens for portrait?