Glad to see you differentiate between tight headshots and environmental portraits. So many 'youtube photographers' overlook that there's no such thing as one "best portrait lens" because there are many kinds of portraits.
My strategy is simple: If a person has a wide face - I go to 85mm and below: 50mm and even 35mm in rare cases (for headshots) to narrow the face. If a person has a long face back to front, I go 85 and above to widen the face and make it look more flattering - 105, 135, 200mm. My trick is to balance the facial structure with the distortion of the lens.
@@nagual2335 yep. Long lens flattens nose and makes face wider, which is great for skinny faces. One interesting thing is i have shot the same people close to me for years and as people get older (and chunkier) they demand that i shoot them with wider and wider lenses. Great advice!!
I sincerely thank you for your always very interesting videos which I have been following for two years now and which have taught me a lot. Thank you very much, good light and see you in the next video. Greetings from Italy!
I would like to here your thoughts on a zoom for portraiture. The Nikkor 24-70 2.8 has always been my favorite. It's almost always on the camera ready for whatever I need.
I always try to use the 85, if I have the room. If not, I work backwards… 50, 35. Usually carry a 35 & 85, or a zoom (24-70, 28-70) and 85, when I’m taking pictures of people.
For the past two years, I have been using a Sony 135 F/1.8 GM lens for most of my portraits. And every time I do, my clients (mostly beautiful women) are delighted with the photos taken with this lens. I don't have any problems communicating with them, as the distance seems to allow me to connect with the models without any issues. But the main reason I choose the Sony 135 so often is because it cuts out all unnecessary elements that could get in the way of the shot - like garbage, road signs, and people walking by.
My go to in studio is my Canon 85mm F1.4L IS but now and again I will break away from that and go 70mm or 50mm for a change. Have always wanted a Canon 135mm F2L in the kit.. might just treat myself for Christmas.
Must be nice having a 1.4 on canon. 1400.00+ barrier to entry.. just ridiculous. I wont invest in an EF sigma or tamron.. autofocus could be anything. 😢
@@rickjbradbury Why would you suggest that awfully old lens as an option. There isn't plenty of options or we wouldn't be having this conversation. EF tamrons and sigmas were notorious for autofocus issues on various bodies. I know exactly what's on the Canon lens landscape since I bought my first XSI many years ago. Sure, recommend the crusty 85 1.8 to people until they see the super amount of purple fringing and aberration. Tell them that it's 20 years old or so. Sure. Cmon. Just mentioning that tells s me in that you're willfully being obtuse and not realistic. The canon 85mm 1.4 EFL IS is 1600.00 before sale at BH. I don't know what plenty of options you are talking about.
I use what I got. I don't have a 85 mm for canon. I've taken a thousand portraits with 50 mm and I've never heard any complaints. Sometimes I get really close. I also shoot portraits with a 35 after aeeing some artistic portraits that looked absolutely wonderful with the distortion. The flat look gets very boring and I tend not to shoot directly straight on the subject. One thing that I love about this video is that Manny is freaking amazing and my style is very different. It just reminds me you can have your own space when it comes to shooting style. Good video nonetheless. If it wasn't for Manny I wouldn't have watched it because we've seen this a million times.
Hey, I wanted to acknowledge how you shared about social anxiety and what that contributed to some of your choices. I'm grateful for the whole post, but happy you talked through this like a human. Plus, I learned even more.
Manny, you probably shoot more portraiture than I do and when I do portraiture, I almost always use my Hasselblad X2D. With that camera, my fav portrait lenses is the 80mm f/1.9 Hasselblad. The focal length translates to the about 65mm in 35mm land but I don't think the "look" carries with it. Then again, what do I know...
My Nikkor F 105mm f1.4 and The Nikon Z8 or Z6III is a winning combo!!!!!! I have been shooting with My Nikkor F 180mm 2.8 and Nikkor F 135mm f2.8 and Nikkor Z 105mm f2.8 for portraits Winner lens n Z Camera Portrait Kit !!!!!!! :) :) :)
Same. I have to use a Monsteradapter to use mine with Sony. I have the 105 from Sigma too but prefer the Nikon. Really hoping Sony makes a native 100 or 105 1.4 one day. It’s by far my favourite portrait lens.
@@MichaelFrederickPhoto Thanks for the reply :) even though I shoot Nikon (58yrs), I do not enjoy the fanboys that populate the internet :( :( ThankYou for being civil!!!!! Lets just keep shooting what we want (cameras n subjects) :) :) :)
When you have the longer focal lengths (135+) it gets out of the realm of normal portraiture. Which is fine if you have the time to plan around it. If you allow the composition to include a lot of background elements (like we saw in some of Manny's samples) you can get some stunning images with the compression that takes it out of the natural and into something more expressionistic.
@Sharp_and_creamy oh lol yeah it's a Sony & yes the wide Peak Design straps. A7III with a battery grip & a left side handle. And most of the time I have a flash or flash trigger on top & a wireless transmitter so that people can see themselves as I take the pictures . But this is actually light compared to the time I shot a wedding with a D750 with a 300mm f/2.8 handheld 😂
I recently bought minolta 200mm f2.8 prime. Using it with LAEA5, I'm shocked how mind blowing result this 30yrs old lens can bring. Love the sharpness, color, bokeh . Only downside I could see was CA. I also have 300mm f2.8 , bought it for portrait but like you mentioned Manny, it requires a lot of working distance so I rarely use it. You gotta try some Minolta vintage primes Manny, they're pretty good.
@ nop! The “compression” is all about the distance. You need to change the distance to change the perspective. If you have bigger sensors you need to change the distance to get the same composition.
I use the RF 50mm F1.2L for full body shots and the RF 135mm F1.8L for up close portraits (faces, maybe add some upper body in there). RF 24-105mm F4L to fill the gaps (in studio or outside)
What’s up Manny. I agree with 100% when you shoot your pretty models! But sometimes, for some people/faces, distortion works in the opposite. For example you talk about how 50mm distorts the model’s face as it looks skinnier, the nose may look more pronounced, etc. But that’s great for some people, specially people on a larger side with round faces. Take a fat guy like me for example, I don’t want my face to be shot with 85+ mm flattening it and making it even wider. Please shoot my face with a 50 or even 35mm to make it skinnier. Bottom line is what you talk about works 100% for your typical model. But for many ordinary people it depends on their facial shapes/features. For people on a large size, wider lenses may make them appear more attractive. Just saying.
tight headshots I like the 85 ..... waist up and full length the 50 ....... farther back or a couple of people the 35. Every lens can work just need to know how to use it to capture the style you are looking for. Many times my decision is how much of the background I want in the image.
That's why medium format is king when it comes to portrait, you can shoot in 4/3 native ratio a with long lens and stay closer to your subject allowing shallower DoF. A full body shot on a GFX with a 135mm is around 5 meter ( like a 105mm) whereas on a full frame it's near 6,5 meter. One of my favorite is the Canon 85 f/1.2 that gives adapted a 67 f/0.9 without any vignetting, super versatile and crazy dreamy bokeh !
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN --> how do u fix the heavy distortion? I have the old 7riii and I don't like always to correct every single picture with software. Many thanks for reply, greetings from Austria, Ferdi
Probably the best portable portrait kit indoors and outdoors especially with flash is the Hasselblad X2D with XCD 90V. The rest are substitutes. Let the last one turn off the light.
@@jhenry248 I own the Sigma 105mm f1.4 (e-mount for my Sony A7rV), but it doesn't fit into my camera bag and therefore usually stays at home. Instead I use the much smaller and lighter Nikon 105mm f1.4 F mount adapted on my Z8.
ehh... I used to be a prime lens junky, and now, sure, if I can, but for portraits, it's a 70-200 all day and a 24-105 for general use. Why? Simple. Perspective. When shooting a portrait, I pick the camera to subject distance that makes the subjects nose and ears the same approximate size, THEN, I pick the focal length that gives me the composition I want. Start at approximately 6 feet away and look at the subjects nose and ears when they are looking head on at the camera. If their ears look big and their nose looks small relative to each other, start moving in until they even out. If their ears look small and their nose looks big relative to each other, start moving out until they even out. From there, select the focal length that gives you the composition you want (e.g. tight head shot, head and shoulders, upper body, etc.). I couldn't be bothered to look at what focal length the shot was taken at. For me, it's about getting the perspective that makes them look best, then just zooming the lens to the composition I want.
Hey Manny because I don't have as many options as yourself. My choice is my 50mm or 70-200mm for portrait. Now I have rented a 85mm. At this time my lens are 14-24mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 70-200mm
If they are white use any lens but with lower flash power. If they have dark skin use 100mm or up with any flash power because dark skin absorbs light best
We probably shouldn't overthink this anyway in 2024 as Adobe and Apple will probably have AI buttons called "50mm look", "85mm look", etc in about 2 more refresh cycles. 😉
50 and 85 But for family shoots 35mm and 40mm are options many people disregard Also photographing male portraits I prefer 50mm Manny I know you photograph a lot of women and that's great but I photograph men too and 44mm gives a nice masculine look ...it's actually 55 1.7 GFX lens ...but it's 44mm to 45mm equivalent I agree that beyond 85 your too far away ....too much moving back and forwards to talk to people and I found you get lost on where you need to be Sometimes I'll place a piece of tape on the ground where I need to stand which does help 😂
from 35 to 85. I hate portraits taken way too far from the person. make no sense to use 105 135 or 200. flat face. big ears. and no way to interact with the person. I hate distance
Glad to see you differentiate between tight headshots and environmental portraits. So many 'youtube photographers' overlook that there's no such thing as one "best portrait lens" because there are many kinds of portraits.
Agreed
My strategy is simple: If a person has a wide face - I go to 85mm and below: 50mm and even 35mm in rare cases (for headshots) to narrow the face. If a person has a long face back to front, I go 85 and above to widen the face and make it look more flattering - 105, 135, 200mm. My trick is to balance the facial structure with the distortion of the lens.
great advice
@@nagual2335 yep. Long lens flattens nose and makes face wider, which is great for skinny faces. One interesting thing is i have shot the same people close to me for years and as people get older (and chunkier) they demand that i shoot them with wider and wider lenses. Great advice!!
@@DmitryBrodsky007lol haha exactly 🙌
😮
Are you using the prime low aperture and or some zoom lenses?
85 is King at portraits!
I definitely love the 135 but 85 is just super solid and I feel like I never go wrong with it
A great video in which you really show the degrees of distortion side by side in a comparable way! Thank you very much!
Manny is back 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I sincerely thank you for your always very interesting videos which I have been following for two years now and which have taught me a lot. Thank you very much, good light and see you in the next video. Greetings from Italy!
Perfect video! I am a 50mm lover and I often think of this!
You are such a good photographer. It's unusual among the tubers.
Seriously, he’s one of the few that actually takes great photos along with the techy info 💯
@@HelloImMaxxHennard he's one of the few who shoots art instead of azz
I would like to here your thoughts on a zoom for portraiture. The Nikkor 24-70 2.8 has always been my favorite. It's almost always on the camera ready for whatever I need.
Appreciate the breakdown of each focal length and its benefit versus just focusing on one best option
I always try to use the 85, if I have the room. If not, I work backwards… 50, 35. Usually carry a 35 & 85, or a zoom (24-70, 28-70) and 85, when I’m taking pictures of people.
That 105mm 1.4!
I'd love a Nikon Z 100mm f1.4 Plena. Nikon, can you hear me?
Sigma 105 1.4 all day! Best Portrait Lens ever made!
135 f1.8 definitely
I enjoyed how you broke it down by lenses.
For the past two years, I have been using a Sony 135 F/1.8 GM lens for most of my portraits. And every time I do, my clients (mostly beautiful women) are delighted with the photos taken with this lens. I don't have any problems communicating with them, as the distance seems to allow me to connect with the models without any issues. But the main reason I choose the Sony 135 so often is because it cuts out all unnecessary elements that could get in the way of the shot - like garbage, road signs, and people walking by.
I find myself using the 85mm for portrait shots, and sometimes the 70-200mm for the compression
My go to in studio is my Canon 85mm F1.4L IS but now and again I will break away from that and go 70mm or 50mm for a change.
Have always wanted a Canon 135mm F2L in the kit.. might just treat myself for Christmas.
Must be nice having a 1.4 on canon. 1400.00+ barrier to entry.. just ridiculous. I wont invest in an EF sigma or tamron.. autofocus could be anything. 😢
@@simonmaduxx6777 Plenty of other options such as the Canon EF 85mmF1.8 USM and no doubt other options from Sigma and Tamron.
@@rickjbradbury Why would you suggest that awfully old lens as an option. There isn't plenty of options or we wouldn't be having this conversation. EF tamrons and sigmas were notorious for autofocus issues on various bodies. I know exactly what's on the Canon lens landscape since I bought my first XSI many years ago.
Sure, recommend the crusty 85 1.8 to people until they see the super amount of purple fringing and aberration. Tell them that it's 20 years old or so. Sure. Cmon. Just mentioning that tells s me in that you're willfully being obtuse and not realistic.
The canon 85mm 1.4 EFL IS is 1600.00 before sale at BH. I don't know what plenty of options you are talking about.
I use what I got. I don't have a 85 mm for canon. I've taken a thousand portraits with 50 mm and I've never heard any complaints. Sometimes I get really close. I also shoot portraits with a 35 after aeeing some artistic portraits that looked absolutely wonderful with the distortion. The flat look gets very boring and I tend not to shoot directly straight on the subject. One thing that I love about this video is that Manny is freaking amazing and my style is very different. It just reminds me you can have your own space when it comes to shooting style.
Good video nonetheless. If it wasn't for Manny I wouldn't have watched it because we've seen this a million times.
Hey, I wanted to acknowledge how you shared about social anxiety and what that contributed to some of your choices. I'm grateful for the whole post, but happy you talked through this like a human. Plus, I learned even more.
Great video, Manny! Keep up the good work!
Manny, you probably shoot more portraiture than I do and when I do portraiture, I almost always use my Hasselblad X2D. With that camera, my fav portrait lenses is the 80mm f/1.9 Hasselblad. The focal length translates to the about 65mm in 35mm land but I don't think the "look" carries with it. Then again, what do I know...
My Nikkor F 105mm f1.4 and The Nikon Z8 or Z6III is a winning combo!!!!!! I have been shooting with My Nikkor F 180mm 2.8 and Nikkor F 135mm f2.8 and Nikkor Z 105mm f2.8 for portraits Winner lens n Z Camera Portrait Kit !!!!!!! :) :) :)
I use the Sigma 105 on my R6 and adapted to Fuji X-H2 (soooo good on this one)
I still shoot with my Z6 the Nikkor AI-S 105mm 2.5 and 135mm 2.8. i even shoot with the 100mm 2.8 e lens. They are sharp
Same. I have to use a Monsteradapter to use mine with Sony. I have the 105 from Sigma too but prefer the Nikon. Really hoping Sony makes a native 100 or 105 1.4 one day. It’s by far my favourite portrait lens.
@@MichaelFrederickPhoto Thanks for the reply :) even though I shoot Nikon (58yrs), I do not enjoy the fanboys that populate the internet :( :( ThankYou for being civil!!!!! Lets just keep shooting what we want (cameras n subjects) :) :) :)
@@bobamarmstrong Thanks for the reply :) :) :) Great cameras n lenses !!!!!!!
When you have the longer focal lengths (135+) it gets out of the realm of normal portraiture. Which is fine if you have the time to plan around it. If you allow the composition to include a lot of background elements (like we saw in some of Manny's samples) you can get some stunning images with the compression that takes it out of the natural and into something more expressionistic.
105mm f1.4 basically stays glued to my camera
If there only was a good modern version for Sony (only the crazy heavy and huge Sigma) or Nikon Z (only the old 105mm f1.4 F mount).
Sony? how do you carry that thing around with you? wouldn't it bang on everything if you wear your camera on a strap?
@Sharp_and_creamy Sigma & no it doesn't bang on anything
@@onQQuincy No I mean you have the sigma lens on a sony body? what do you use to carry the camera and lens combo on? Peak design strap?
@Sharp_and_creamy oh lol yeah it's a Sony & yes the wide Peak Design straps. A7III with a battery grip & a left side handle. And most of the time I have a flash or flash trigger on top & a wireless transmitter so that people can see themselves as I take the pictures . But this is actually light compared to the time I shot a wedding with a D750 with a 300mm f/2.8 handheld 😂
I recently bought minolta 200mm f2.8 prime. Using it with LAEA5, I'm shocked how mind blowing result this 30yrs old lens can bring. Love the sharpness, color, bokeh . Only downside I could see was CA. I also have 300mm f2.8 , bought it for portrait but like you mentioned Manny, it requires a lot of working distance so I rarely use it. You gotta try some Minolta vintage primes Manny, they're pretty good.
very good knowledge of these lenses focal range.. thanks
Amazing video as always!
Nerd tip: The compression is not about the lens but about the distance.
Lucena, the size of the sensor makes a difference too.
@ nop! The “compression” is all about the distance. You need to change the distance to change the perspective. If you have bigger sensors you need to change the distance to get the same composition.
I use the RF 50mm F1.2L for full body shots and the RF 135mm F1.8L for up close portraits (faces, maybe add some upper body in there). RF 24-105mm F4L to fill the gaps (in studio or outside)
What’s up Manny. I agree with 100% when you shoot your pretty models! But sometimes, for some people/faces, distortion works in the opposite. For example you talk about how 50mm distorts the model’s face as it looks skinnier, the nose may look more pronounced, etc. But that’s great for some people, specially people on a larger side with round faces. Take a fat guy like me for example, I don’t want my face to be shot with 85+ mm flattening it and making it even wider. Please shoot my face with a 50 or even 35mm to make it skinnier. Bottom line is what you talk about works 100% for your typical model. But for many ordinary people it depends on their facial shapes/features. For people on a large size, wider lenses may make them appear more attractive. Just saying.
exactly how I work. I match the facial features with the distortion of the lens.
Didn't even think about that. Those are great tips.
50mm 1.2 is glued to my A7R5
Nikkor 85 1.2 and 50 1.2 for the Z mount 🔥
Starting to be consistent with the content 🔥🔥🔥
tight headshots I like the 85 ..... waist up and full length the 50 ....... farther back or a couple of people the 35. Every lens can work just need to know how to use it to capture the style you are looking for. Many times my decision is how much of the background I want in the image.
Depends upon the model and depends on intended look and purpose of the portrait.
That's why medium format is king when it comes to portrait, you can shoot in 4/3 native ratio a with long lens and stay closer to your subject allowing shallower DoF. A full body shot on a GFX with a 135mm is around 5 meter ( like a 105mm) whereas on a full frame it's near 6,5 meter.
One of my favorite is the Canon 85 f/1.2 that gives adapted a 67 f/0.9 without any vignetting, super versatile and crazy dreamy bokeh !
Have you adapt 105mm F1.4 on GFX or 135mm F1.8 on GFX ?
@@jliang70 Both, recommend EF Sigma Art, they're the sharpest + good AF. You ll find plenty info on the web.
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN --> how do u fix the heavy distortion? I have the old 7riii and I don't like always to correct every single picture with software. Many thanks for reply, greetings from Austria, Ferdi
85 game over.
Nice vid! When people ask "Which is the best lens?" just like they ask "What's the best vehicle" Every lens servers it's purpose.
Probably the best portable portrait kit indoors and outdoors especially with flash is the Hasselblad X2D with XCD 90V. The rest are substitutes. Let the last one turn off the light.
I would have thought the Sigma 105 f 1.4 would of made the cut.
That one on GFX is an absolute monster !! ( eq. 85 f/1.1 super sharp and without any vignetting )
It's amazing, but huge, heavy and more or less impossible to transport or hold. It can be made much smaller and lighter (see the Nikon F 105mm f1.4).
@@stefan_becker consider that the EF 200 f/2 is on Manny's list and it weighs 5+ pounds the 105 f/1.4 weight shouldn't be an issue.
@@jhenry248 I own the Sigma 105mm f1.4 (e-mount for my Sony A7rV), but it doesn't fit into my camera bag and therefore usually stays at home. Instead I use the much smaller and lighter Nikon 105mm f1.4 F mount adapted on my Z8.
ehh... I used to be a prime lens junky, and now, sure, if I can, but for portraits, it's a 70-200 all day and a 24-105 for general use. Why? Simple. Perspective. When shooting a portrait, I pick the camera to subject distance that makes the subjects nose and ears the same approximate size, THEN, I pick the focal length that gives me the composition I want. Start at approximately 6 feet away and look at the subjects nose and ears when they are looking head on at the camera. If their ears look big and their nose looks small relative to each other, start moving in until they even out. If their ears look small and their nose looks big relative to each other, start moving out until they even out. From there, select the focal length that gives you the composition you want (e.g. tight head shot, head and shoulders, upper body, etc.). I couldn't be bothered to look at what focal length the shot was taken at. For me, it's about getting the perspective that makes them look best, then just zooming the lens to the composition I want.
Never thought about portraiture in this way, thank you for the new perspective!
I love my fuji 90mm
My favorite so far is the 85mm
But I do want the 135mm can I rent yours lol since it's collecting dust 😭
I really dig 135-200
tnx😍❤
Rolling with 50 now, but lusting after the 85/1.2
The only two lenses I need for portraits with my Sony A7RV is the 90mm 2.8 and the 50mm 1.4.
RF85 1.2
What your opinion om 40mm
How about for crop sensor?
Hey Manny because I don't have as many options as yourself. My choice is my 50mm or 70-200mm for portrait. Now I have rented a 85mm. At this time my lens are 14-24mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 70-200mm
50mm, 85mm and 135mm for me.
85 + 105 for me
If they are white use any lens but with lower flash power. If they have dark skin use 100mm or up with any flash power because dark skin absorbs light best
У меня есть ef 50 1.2, rf 85 1.2. Но «Canon 200mm 2.0 - baby»? 😁 это мой любимый объектив
Sigma 105 1.4 , magic of 135, no distortion. Close enough working distance.
Just weighs as much as two Honda civics
Did he say his favourite lens was the 85 or the 200mm?
"stand in the bushes" that shit was funny bro lol
35mm ?
105
50mm 1.8 on an aps c... Or an 85mm on a full frame..
85 and 70-200 2.8
We probably shouldn't overthink this anyway in 2024 as Adobe and Apple will probably have AI buttons called "50mm look", "85mm look", etc in about 2 more refresh cycles. 😉
hahah funny but true!!!
70-200 f2.8 is the best all around workhorse for me.
50 and 85
But for family shoots 35mm and 40mm are options many people disregard
Also photographing male portraits I prefer 50mm
Manny I know you photograph a lot of women and that's great but I photograph men too and 44mm gives a nice masculine look ...it's actually 55 1.7 GFX lens ...but it's 44mm to 45mm equivalent
I agree that beyond 85 your too far away ....too much moving back and forwards to talk to people and I found you get lost on where you need to be
Sometimes I'll place a piece of tape on the ground where I need to stand which does help 😂
I really disagree - 50mm close in can be extremely flattering. Most beauty photographers are using literally that focal length.
After 45 years of experience, I will say the best overall Portrait Lens for full frame Cameras are a 85mm Lens !
I like to use the longest lens possible. A 400/2.8, maybe add a 1.4. I don’t need to connect with my subjects😂
Portrait ??? - 85 1.2 !!!
Why are we not talking about the Sigma 105mm 1.4 😮😮😮 I know you are familiar with this animal.....
that's a great lens as well. Anything from 85 to 105 is great for closeup headshots :)
Sony 135 f1.8 can have full body broken, while Sony 85 F1.4 cannot.
First comment
from 35 to 85. I hate portraits taken way too far from the person. make no sense to use 105 135 or 200. flat face. big ears. and no way to interact with the person. I hate distance