Is the Canon Telephoto EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens a great portrait lens ???

Question

I have a $800 budget after taxes. I want a really good portrait lens. I currently own a Canon 28-105, 18-55mm, 70-300, and a Sigma 10-20mm. Also I shoot with a Canon EOS 40D.

I was going to buy a: Sigma 50-150mm, Canon EF 50mm f1.4, Canon Telephoto EF 85mm f/1.8 USM , Sigma 28-70mm 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L, Canon 28mm f/1.8 USM, or the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 . But I've done ALOT of research and reviewing of Flickr and found that the Canon Telephoto EF 200mm f/2.8L is the best out of the bunch. Do you agree or have a better suggestion ???? (remember $800 budjet).

Thanks =D

www.flickr.com/photos/goldenboi24k

Answer 1

I agree with Ace & David -- 200mm is too long to be a portrait lens ... unless you're scared to death of your subject and don't want to get too close to them!

Seems to me that good portraiture implies a fairly close personal relationship between photographer and subject - both emotionally and physically.

Using a 200mm for such work is little better than voyeurism.  The 50mm or 85mm would both be better choices.

My favorite portrait lens?  My trusty 28-105 on either my Nikon D100 or D80.

Answer 2

It is really too long ... like using a 320 mm lens on a 35 mm camera or a 5D

Your 28-105 mm is just fine, as is the 18-55 mm

Here is the deal and you can fine tune your research.

The portrait lens lengths on a 35 mm camera are 85 mm to 105 mm.  Thats it.

Now using a 40D with a smaller sensor than a full frame 35 mm camera, you have to multiply the focal lengths of your current lenses by 1.6x to find which ones lie within those ranges.

Answer 3

For your camera, I'd get the 80 mm or the 50 mm f 1.4.

The 200 mm f 2.8 is far too "long" for a cropped sensor.

Even the 135 mm  f 2 would be, too.

The 135 mm f 2 is better than the 200 mm one.

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The 50 mm f 1.4 is not too expensive. Here is what it looks like at f 1.4.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/little_pook...

Answer 4

Check out the Canon EF 135mm f/2L lens, it's a great portrait lens.. another good choice would be the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 ($350) or the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L  .. the focal lengths are perfect for portraits.

Answer 5

The 200mm is really to big for a portrait lens. I would get the 50mm F1.2L or F1.4 or F1.8. Traditionally portrait lenses are between 85mm and 105mm on a 35mm camera. So unless you have a 5D or 1Ds the 50 would be the closest equivalent prime lens. If you want something a bit bigger go for the 85mm F1.8 or you can even use the 100mm macro. If you want a zoom go with the 24-105 F4L or the 28-135 IS USM. All of these should fit into your budget with the exception of the 50 1.2L

Answer 6

What body ? the Rebel series comes with a 1.6 multiplier/converter ... 200mm X 1.6 = 320mm I'd reccomend a 50mm f/1.2L II USM or the new 60mm

If you are using one of the Professional Canon DSLRs take a look at an 85mm.

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