Portrait Lens Help!!!

Hey all....I have a portrait headshot shoot this weekend and I am not sure what lens to use. I haven't got much time at the shoot to mess around so here's my list and maybe you can help me.

Body: Sony A100

Lenses to choose from:

Sony 18-70 f3.5-5.6
Minolta 50mm f 1.7
Sigma 135-400 f4.5
Sigma 28-135 f3.8-5.6

Thanks, Sean

 

If the 50mm is anything like Canon's 50mm 1.8, I'd say go with that one. Very nice and crisp, and a lot of photographers like that focal length because it keeps all of the facial features in proper proportion.

 

Definitely the 50 mm prime lens!

 

I'd go with the 50mm. At the largest aperture you'd have some really nice DOF (subject in focus, background nice and blurry). Also, the 50mm will be a good length to keep features proportionate.

 

I'm no expert, but aren't 'typical' portraitlenses 85 to 135 ? To more flatten the features?




pascal

 

yes....but as long as i wasn't shooting with a full frame camera, i only noticed VERY minimal distortion using a 50mm. i do however, prefer to shoot with my 85mm for portraits for that exact reason.

 

Without hesitation, I would use the shorter Sigma at about 80mm and shoot somewhere around f8.

Personally, I wouldn't even explore using the others for this job.

But, that's me and my classic training.

Good luck!

-Pete

 

Thanks for all of your help guys!