lenses for portraiture

[kcnm]

I already own a 35mm, and am considering getting either a 75 or a 90. for those of you who have a lot of experience handling different lenses for portraits, which mm is your favorite and why? I know it's personal preference, but which lens do _you_ use most for portraits? (photos welcome!)

Thanks for your two cents!

 

[noimmunity]

I like 75 much better than 85/90. The framing is very natural to my eye. Pairs well with a fast 35 (or 40), another FL that also seems to lend itself very naturally to portraits when you want to include some environment, but don't want to risk having your subjects close to the edge get bent out of shape.
The old CV Heliar was a peach.
But I wanted to get in closer, which meant only either a summicron or a summilux.
The summilux produces results I like, but it was too big.
Bought a summicron and have been very happy with what it does, all around. Short throw, precise focus, not too big, with a very smooth rendering that I'd call "high fidelity."
The new CV Classic Heliar 75/1.8 also looks very sweet, although the 20cm focusing difference with the cron is, for me at least, often a big deal.

 

[ferider]

People will tell you there is much difference between 75 and 90 - for some reason for me it doesn't matter.

I am assuming you talk RF, i.e. M, LTM or Nikon RF mount. I were you, I'd pick anything from 75, 80, 85 and 90 (I have lenses in all those lengths) that fits your budget and your camera framelines. For example, an M2 is easier to use with 85 or 90, while M6 and up work well with 75mm. If you have a bessa R3*, it is ideal for 75mm; and so on. You can check for lens signature in the many samples that you find on flickr, have a look at the M-mount forum in my signature, for instance.

Personally, my favorite is the 75/1.4, followed by the 90/2 Summicron v3, and Nikkor 85/2 LTM. The two Leica lenses have almost identical finger print, but the 75 is obviously faster and larger.

Maybe f2 is too fast. If you want something smaller, I recommend the 90/2.8 M-Hexanon, or the CV Heliar 75/2.5. Best value for the dollar.

I haven't tried the new CV 75/1.8. Seems to be a great affordable lens as well.

Roland.

 

[ferider]

You asked for examples; here are some reposts:

75/1.4

Nikkor 85/2

M-Hex 90/2.8

Etc.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

I have stated this before. There is no perfect lens for portraiture. For women you want a softer lenses for men you want a sharper lens. Women disapprove of sharp lenses when there face is photographed. For women I use a 90mm tele-elmarit which is great for travel. For men a 75mm Summarit. If I were to choose one all around lens I would go with the 90mm Tele-elmarit. Not only is is the smallest for travel but the best for women. Men seldom complain is the lens is not sharp enough. They look at composition while women want facial wrinkles softened ergo the softer lens.

 

[Mister E]

I shoot portraits with a 35, but I have the Nikkor 8.5cm f/2 because it's smaller than the 90/2 Cron (any of them), the ZM 85/2 and just about as good. Oh and it focuses just as close and costs under $500.

 

[f16sunshine]

Nice samples Roland. I especially like the Nikkor sample. Wonderful expression you captured.

I would suggest to the OP if you are new to RF to try getting yourself into a fast 50mm before jumping to a short tele. The tighter framelines of 75 and then 90 will be a challenge if you have only used a 35 so far. Many thousands of beautiful Portraits have been shot using a 50 on an RF . If your set on using a 75 or 90 try the CV 2.5/75. It is a superb little optic at an affordable price. As well the max aperture of f2.5 is suitable for portraits but still affords a bit of focus latitude until you are more accustomed to the focal length.

 

[tbarker13]

I recently grabbed a copy of the new 75/1.8 and love it. For me, it's just easier to focus than a 90mm. But then, I'm using it on the M8.2, with the crop factor.

A few examples: (the first is shot wide open, second is 5.6, last is around 5.65, but with studio light)

 

[helen.HH]

Hats off Yeah to Roland & Tim...Portraiture at its BEST !

 

[ampguy]

I think about 50-65 is good. 50 on the m8 is perfect.

 

[mfogiel]

For me, the best portrait lens overall is a 50mm. Further out, 75mm is nice, 90m starts to be a bit difficult to handle. My favourite 50mm portrait lens is the Zeiss C Sonnar, but you could very well use other lenses, including the 50/1.2 Canon, or such old class benchmarks like the Collapsible Summicron or Elmar.

C Sonnar

Canon 50/1.2

 

[noimmunity]

Tim, that first shot is probably the best portrait I've seen yet with the new lens! Hats off!

 

[alan davus]

Tim, that first shot is probably the best portrait I've seen yet with the new lens! Hats off!

Amen. Good as anything I've seen posted with this lens.

 

[Rafael]

The 75mm Summilux is my very favourite lens. I also agree with Jon that a 75 will pair best with your 35 to give you a nice two lens kit.

 

[tbarker13]

Tim, that first shot is probably the best portrait I've seen yet with the new lens! Hats off!

Thanks.

In an ideal world, I'd probably have a 75 lux. But this 75/1.8 is a nice alternative - with a much lower price tag. (not to mention that it is considerably lighter than the lux)

 

[kcnm]

Thank you so much everyone! Thanks also for the photos, too--it's always a treat to see them here 🙂

I have just made a rash decision (which turned out to be a prettttty good one, I think!) and bought a 75 lux. It was at such a nice price that I didn't really get a chance to give the 90mm's a fair trial. Hopefully I'll be sharing some portraiture myself sometime soon!

 

[noimmunity]

congrats! great choice, one might say the preferred choice of RFF.

don't know why, but the 75 'cron just doesn't get a lot of love here.

 

[kzphoto]

I like the 50 Lux E46 from f/1.4 to f/2.8.

Examples:


Heather by kzamani, on Flickr
f/2 or f/2.8, Some post processing on the eyes.


Heather & A Menu by kzamani, on Flickr
f/1.4, minimum focus distance.

I'd love to try the 50 f/1.2 Hexanon or the 60 f/1.2 Hex. I own a 90/2, but I don't use it too often.

 

[ali_baba]

personally i like the noctilux best for portraiture.
the summilux 75 is a close 2nd.
the 90 apo a 3rd (now it's sold and i have a pre-asph which i think i'll like more)

if not using a noctilux the summilux 75 would be # 1.
so what im saying is i prefer 75 best, but the noctilux is by far the best!

haha

summilux 75 + m9
dam funk

90 apo-asph + m9
aaron paul

28 cron asph + m9
chris taylor

50 summar + m7 trix @ 1600
ron howard

noctilux + m9
pharrell williams

noctilux + m9
pat sansone

noctilux + m9
paul scheer

noctilux + m9
Michael Raymond-James

noctilux + m9
james murphy

 

[chrismoret]

Seeing some great portraits over here!!!