What focal length do you recommend for full body portraits on a crop sensor?

[lance70]

Hi, I'm interested in finding out what focal length you recommend for full body portraits on a DX body...thanks!

 

[astroNikon]

in-home studio ? or outside with no space constraints ?

how much distance do you have of camera to subject and subject to background ?
This may influence your decision.

Some people like 105mm for portraits. But on a crop, you may not have the room.
a Nikon 85mm/1.4D is considered a great lens, but once again, you may not have the room.

I prefer my 85mm but end up using my 35-70 towards the 70mm end more often due to space constraints on crop.
50mm would be a good alternative too.

The key is getting the subject in focus so f/5.6-7.1ish thus a 1.4/1.8/2.8 isn't needed for standard portraits.

you have a 50 and a 70-200. What seems to work best for you ?

 

[Rick50]

I use an 85mm if I can. Good advice above.

 

[JustJazzie]

I chose a 50mm on my aspc camera as a good compromise, though sometimes I still have trouble getting a full body shot indoors with it depending on how much room I have to work with. Outside it's no issue, and I would have gone longer if I could have.

 

[lance70]

in-home studio ? or outside with no space constraints ?

how much distance do you have of camera to subject and subject to background ?
This may influence your decision.

Some people like 105mm for portraits. But on a crop, you may not have the room.
a Nikon 85mm/1.4D is considered a great lens, but once again, you may not have the room.

I prefer my 85mm but end up using my 35-70 towards the 70mm end more often due to space constraints on crop.
50mm would be a good alternative too.

The key is getting the subject in focus so f/5.6-7.1ish thus a 1.4/1.8/2.8 isn't needed for standard portraits.

you have a 50 and a 70-200. What seems to work best for you ?

Thanks for the info! I just recently started taking some portraits of friends, mainly I shoot wildlife. I was interested in shooting inside with maybe 15' to 20' to work with. I love the 70-200 for outside, at least the few times I had a chance to shoot close up portraits it has been great!

 

[lance70]

Ohhh and thanks for the tip about the aperture, that was the other question I was curious about....

 

[astroNikon]

The key is in-focus and preventing distortion with limited space.
ie, don't use a 24mm lens up close with the nose pointed out leading the portrait. ==> What is Distortion?

with my home studio I lack height and depth. but I have a more proper 10x20 background.
I lack the real depth needed to distance the subject from the background. And I'm normally at 70mm on a crop due to space limitations. Headshots I can use 85 on my FF. The main items is keeping the focal length on the long side to minimize distortion in relation to the features ==> This Image Shows How Camera Lenses Beautify or Uglify Your Pretty Face

But I can blow my background out with a specific flash dedicated to the background. Thus allowing me to have my subject closer to the BG and myself further from the subject. For example. This object was literally about 2 feet from the BG which was blown out. ==> My Crazy Head Shot | Photography Forum

it all depends upon the space you have and setup.

 

[theraven871]

There are multiple considerations here.
The first is the amount of compression. Simply put, longer focal lengths provide more compression. This helps flatter features.

The second is a decision of how much of the background you want in the final shot.
If you were to take a vertical photo of someone (head to toe) with a 35mm lens, it will be very different than if you did the same with a 105mm lens.
Simply put, the 35mm lens will "draw in" more of the background, whereas the longer focal lengths will "push out" more of the background.
If you're looking to isolate your subject, then look into longer focal lengths. If you're looking to show your subject in their surroundings, choose a shorter.
Here is an example of what I'm talking about: http://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/focallengthA.jpg
(Not my photo)
Notice how the subject stays the same size, but the amount of background showing is very different. Find which one best matches the type of photo you want to take then determine the APS-C equivalent.

50mm on APS-C is a good mix in between the two and is where I would start.

 

[hamlet]

At this moment in time, i would recommend a 8mm wide angle lens. I'm bored with telephoto lenses.

 

[lance70]

Very good points about the background! There is a lot to think about, appreciate the help!

 

[Derrel]

Here is my preferred field of view calculator. As you can see, for a full length view, which requires at least "some" top space and foot space for a standing person, with an APS-C sensor, you'll want to be in the 34 to 35 foot range with an 85mm lens, in order to get about eight and a half feet of total space for a person to be shown in. Field of View Calculator - Rectilinear and Fisheye lenses - Bob Atkins Photography

 

[Braineack]

I use an 85mm if I can. Good advice above.

you'll have to stand FAR away--even on FX.

 

[Rick50]

I use an 85mm if I can. Good advice above.

you'll have to stand FAR away--even on FX.

Your right. I shoot canon full frame so it's a bit different. In a house I can only do waist up.

 

[Solarflare]

Hi, I'm interested in finding out what focal length you recommend for full body portraits on a DX body...thanks!

From a purely aesthetic standpoint, like a fashion photographer would use it, for small format:

Assuming:
- Average height (1.70 ... 1.85m)
- Average proportions (looks most aesthetic from about 5m away)
- Picture taken in portrait orientation

Full Body Portrait: about 70mm
Headshot only: about 300mm

For 1.5 crop factor on a Nikon DX, aka APS-C sensor, thats about 50mm and 200mm, respectively.

However:
Some people (actually the typical model type) might look better from larger distances, while for many people that means they will look too flat in comparison.
Some people might look better from shorter distances, while for many people that means they will start looking weird and disproportioned.

If you want to take the picture in landscape orientation, obviously you have to add a 1.5 factor for a 3:2 camera.

Also, until this point we talk about maximum aesthetics. Maybe thats not your goal at all. For example, in social media, headshots of people at 28mm are very popular. Why ? Because thats the focal length smartphones offer.

 

[Mach0]

I personally like 135-180mm range.... But I shoot fx and we are talking outdoors. Subject isolation at 135mm f4 -5.6 is very nice