I would like to second that. Having used a varity of lenses for portrait
usage, the 85mm/2.0 is what comes most handy. Thus when doing portraits in
most situations, the primary body is equipped with the 85/2.0, while I
have the 100/2.8 ready on a "backup set".
Both are good lenses, being "long enough" to not be too intrusive, compact
enough not to be intimidating and have optical qualities doing the model
right. Yet the 85mm does offer a bit more flexibility, I think, for
choosing position.
--thomas
On Sat, 21 Oct 2000, Jim Couch wrote:
> I have found that the 135mm is often to long for portrait work, you
> relly need
> a lot of room to manuever with it. I have used the 100 f2.8 for a few
> years and
> really liked it for potraits, but just picked up an 85 f2 after having
> played
> with one a bit I think will be even better. In fact I am selling the 100
> f2.8
> as it is rather redundant now that I have the 85. Have done a little
> 'informal'
> portrait work with my 35-70, and found that the 70 got me in just a
> little to
> close. It is amazing how even a subject you know well (my daughter)
> tends to
> 'stiffen up' when you move in past a certain point.
>
> The 85 gives me room to manuever, but keeps just enough distance, It
> also produces a flattering perspective that I think you loose when you
> go with anything smaller.
>
> Jim Couch
>
> miaim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>
> > OK, Lex. I'll play. This discussion may be old, but it's more interesting
> > to me than cars, SUVs etc.
> >
> > I've had the notion of getting a 100/2.8 on the backburner for months. I'll
> > probably eventually do so, but for now I've been struck by how little I use
> > a 135/3.5. For the vast bulk of the PhotoJ "people work" I simply used
> > either a 28/2.8 or 35/2.8. Believe it or not, I also found a Vivitar 19mm
> > useful for up tight and personal people shots. Perhaps these type shots are
> > vastly different from formal portraits, but perhaps they're more
> > interesting in that with a wider angle it's easier to place the person in
> > their surroundings.
> >
> > This whole idea of the most useful lens focal length takes on a special
> > significance for me because I've been wrestling with the idea of either
> > expanding my Medium Format SLR kit to include a longer than standard focal
> > length (akin to a 90 or 100mm in 35mm), or simply scrapping the whole bulky
> > MF SLR kit in favor of a much lighter, more compact fixed wide lens MF
> > rangefinder such as the various Fuji's .
> >
> > Lex, you mentioned that you'd not find much use for anything over 500mm
> > because you like to get close. So why not get close to people with a wide
> > angle for portraits? Sure you're intruding into their space, and sure it
> > may somewhat change the interaction, but it's somewhat more fun than simply
> > standing way back and clicking away. ;-)
> >
> > Mike Swaim
> >
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