http://digitalslr.tribe.net/thread/f2690a5c-12c4-42dd-a997-1b2cad4172dd?format=rss Tribe.net. Local Connections http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/f2690a5c-12c4-42dd-a997-1b2cad4172dd#03b34a8e-aabc-4956-9beb-139c104d23eb Big heads are fine if the client doesn't have an issue with it and esp if you are Martin Schoeller http://www.aphotoeditor.com/2008/10/16/martin-schoeller-look-into-my-lights-you-are-getting-very-sleepy/ Fri, 24 Oct 2008 01:04:49 GMT http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/f2690a5c-12c4-42dd-a997-1b2cad4172dd#03b34a8e-aabc-4956-9beb-139c104d23eb abject 2008-10-24T01:04:49Z http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/f2690a5c-12c4-42dd-a997-1b2cad4172dd#68e5744b-7674-4587-b84e-216f2c95c4b1 The "Nifty Fifty" as we like to call it is a nice lens, surprisingly sharp, and it would offer shallow DOF at wider apertures, but I would not call that a portrait lens. Even with a 1.6X FOV camera like the EOS XSi, that's a 80 mm equivalent lens, which is still not a portrait lens. If you use the 50mm f/1.8 up close enough to see a frame-filling face, that face will be distorted. IMHO, short-lenses with "close up" look are not flattering, they grossly distort body features. Hands will appear larger than heads, and so on. An alternative is to use the 50mm f/1.8 from farther away, but the problem with that is the lack of frontal image plane compression that a real telephoto lens would offer. So, again, the face looks distorted, just less so than when the 50mm is used close up. IMHO, if you want to do flattering portraits, you need a 100mm or larger lens, used from farther away. So, in this context, if we're discussing modest in price, then one of the EF-S zoom lenses with a f/3.5-5.6 aperture, but >100mm equivalent focal length will be much better portrait lens. If cost is less of an issue, then the 135mm f/2L, 70-200mm f/2.8L, or 85mm f/1.2L lenses used from a distance will make still-more flattering portraits. They are sharper, have better out-focus-blur (bokeh), and more aperture than the Nifty Fifty; but of course all these great features come at a much higher cost. Still, an EF-S, or even a regular EF medium telephoto will give you much better portraits at less cost then L-series lenses. Hope this is helpful input. Blessings and Light, M Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:45:42 GMT http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/f2690a5c-12c4-42dd-a997-1b2cad4172dd#68e5744b-7674-4587-b84e-216f2c95c4b1 Michael 2008-10-21T00:45:42Z http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/f2690a5c-12c4-42dd-a997-1b2cad4172dd#d1cba4cf-b5d0-48e3-9c34-80cb7b099327 Xcellent- thanks for the reassure, Pats..... Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:02:21 GMT http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/f2690a5c-12c4-42dd-a997-1b2cad4172dd#d1cba4cf-b5d0-48e3-9c34-80cb7b099327 stefographer 2008-10-15T17:02:21Z http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/f2690a5c-12c4-42dd-a997-1b2cad4172dd#ba4da301-ca8c-4fc8-a370-40380f92a2b6 It would give you quite shallow DOF, yes, if you use it wide open. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:53:10 GMT http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/f2690a5c-12c4-42dd-a997-1b2cad4172dd#ba4da301-ca8c-4fc8-a370-40380f92a2b6 Patti 2008-10-15T16:53:10Z http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/f2690a5c-12c4-42dd-a997-1b2cad4172dd#d5b38350-4f44-4703-990f-81fa7a43eb72 Now i think the 50mm 1.8 was the lens i was lookin at for portraits..... It would give me shallow DOF, yes....? Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:32:21 GMT http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/f2690a5c-12c4-42dd-a997-1b2cad4172dd#d5b38350-4f44-4703-990f-81fa7a43eb72 stefographer 2008-10-15T16:32:21Z http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/f2690a5c-12c4-42dd-a997-1b2cad4172dd#68189aed-9fa5-4ec2-8c71-8e48a6f4b324 > What next? That's easy > Go shoot! Don't obsess about equipment too much ... > Play, play, play. Agreed! Can't agree strongly enough with this. You've got your core tool... USE it. Play with it. Learn how it handles, learn the ins and outs, learn what YOU like to do with it, and how. > If you really want to add a lens, I recommend the 50mm f/1.8. At about $80, ti's a screamin' deal. Agreed again! I'll add -- for folks what ain't shootin' Canon -- the same applies to pretty much all makes -- EVERY maker I know of has a good-to-great 50/1.8 (except for the ones who make a 50/1.7 instead), and they're all great deals! Buy new, or decent-quality used. There's a really, REALLY good reason why the 50mm used to be called a "standard" lens (and it's more than just "not being notably wide or tele"!) - Steve Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:44:22 GMT http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/f2690a5c-12c4-42dd-a997-1b2cad4172dd#68189aed-9fa5-4ec2-8c71-8e48a6f4b324 Steve 2008-10-13T19:44:22Z http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/f2690a5c-12c4-42dd-a997-1b2cad4172dd#1351c944-b1d8-466a-a52e-378e10625cc5 What next? That's easy Go shoot! Don't obsess about equipment too much-- it's far better to become intimately familiar with the camera. When you're out shooting, set up little experiments for yourself-- how does the same shot look at different apertures? Can I do better in manual mode than the camera does in P? How much noise do I get in the shadows at various ISOs? Play, play, play. If you really want to add a lens, I recommend the 50mm f/1.8. At about $80, ti's a screamin' deal. Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:03:56 GMT http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/f2690a5c-12c4-42dd-a997-1b2cad4172dd#1351c944-b1d8-466a-a52e-378e10625cc5 Patti 2008-10-13T18:03:56Z http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/f2690a5c-12c4-42dd-a997-1b2cad4172dd#bf241be3-1e43-4eb6-bb1f-67205eba6060 So my baby arrived on sat (at 11:34 AM,EST)..., he's a beautiful XSi, and he's genius rite out the box....got the EFS18-35 kit that comes with it... So... now i wanna hear from all those who proceed me in being a happy, productive Canon owner.... Got an xtra battery, extra 500 G HD, UV filter, tripod, 3 year warranty (that covers dropping and water damage).... from experience.... what do i do next, my friends...? Also - iPhoto isnt gonna cut it anymore.... so Lightroom or Aperture ?? I am not a pro, but am good, and wanting to start to take my photography more seriously...... Portraiture is where my next interest lies (done mostly cityscapes till now...)... so think i'm gonna get the EF 85mm f/1.8 or 100mm f/2... what say thee people of Dig SLR ?? Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:00:21 GMT http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/f2690a5c-12c4-42dd-a997-1b2cad4172dd#bf241be3-1e43-4eb6-bb1f-67205eba6060 stefographer 2008-10-13T17:00:21Z