Lens for portraits

alaios

Hi all,
I am currently user of APS-C system, thus 1.5 crop factor. I am using an old legacy minolta 45mm/2 and 50mm/1.7 (do not forget to apply crop factor) for shooting my portraits.
I am thinking sometimes that I would prefer a larger focal length to use too, for larget bokeh and slightly greater working distance. I am thinking for something like 80-90 mm (that would be 120-125 mm at 1.5x) lens.

My ideas is to get some decent manual legacy lens that can also use in future if I found a full frame system (btw all my lenses are manuals and I am staying there).
I need some help to go for some second handed lenses that I can be using over and over in the years to come.
Price range I would put a limit of 200euros but I can increase if I am gonna get something better with the extra cash.

Please feel free and set fire on the discussion.

Regards
Alex

Hackbone

Traditionally on a full frame sensor a 75/80 is traditional so with the lens you have your about there. Many US photographers like using the 70-200 but I'll bet most shoot about 100 so something in that 150 range would be the same. Bokeh will depend on f stop, lens lenght and subject to bkg distance.

Most like to double the focal length of what they already have.

divamum

On my 7d, my most-used lenses for portraits were my 50mm 1.4 and 135 f2
Since moving to full frame, I use my 70-200 2.8 most of the time, closely followed by the 85 1.8 (which I didn't like all that much on crop, but LOVE on full frame). I still love the 135, but it has become more a "special use" lens than all-purpose.

Most AF lenses can be used in manual focus mode, so not sure there's much to be gained by going ONLY manual.... and there aren't that many lenses available which are only manual - a few budget ones, and a few REALLY pricy ones. Older lenses are ok, but many of them aren't really up to the resolution of modern, pixel-dense digital cameras and can be disappointing (depends on the lens, of course).

alaios

Hi
the reason to buy some second hand manual lens is that I tend to believe that is going to be cheaper and still usable when I will move to the full frame one day.
I am a user of nex system and I do not want to invest money on a specific lens system (this does not go well with my notion of photography and restricting me choices in the future)

Do you have some recommendations on lenses in the 80-90mm range that I can try to spot some good quality second hand?

Regards
Alex

bmoreshooter

lens
If you looking for an older used manual lens I suggest trying to find an older Tamron 90mm macro. You will be really surprised at the quality of that lens. The newer auto versions are nice but the older manual versions are incredible. And, the price should be very reasonable.

Hackbone

Just something to keep in mind.....We all have been there when trying to purchase a lens and used can be a great deal and work well for a very long time and non traditional name lens can be a value and work very well. However, there is a reason one lens can cost $1500 and the same focal length only cost $400. Be careful and try the lens if possible at all focal lengths to be safe. Pick a spot on the image and blow it up to 100% and see what it looks like.

jonh68

Here is a series portraits taken with different focal lengths to give you an idea of why people use different lenses. If I am doing headshots, 70-200 2.8 is the lens I use at 200mm. If I want to get crazy, I will use my sigma 120-300 at 300mm. If I want to go light, I will use a 85 1.8 but use from maybe the chest up, and then crop if I need a headshot. I use a 50mm for full body 3/4 body. There is distortion for headshots when using a 50mm so again I pull back more and then crop.

http://stepheneastwood.com/tutorials/lensdistortion/strippage.htm