Originally posted by SuperJared Last night I had three, yes three, awesome photo shoot ideas pop into my head. Two of the shoots will be in studio, one outside. Each idea has one or two subjects and will be full body or wider.
With these shoots I want to ramp up my abilities. I currently only have "kit" lenses, the 18-55 and 50-200 and feel neither of these is "good enough" to be relied upon if I want to make a stellar image.
My question is what might be the best lens for this idea? Obviously I don't have a professional photographers budget for lens equipment so I'm thinking maybe the 40mm pancake?
Thoughts? Suggestions? Please let me know!!
Are you going to use this lens mostly for portraits?
If so, a good fast prime would be what I would go for. one that is very sharp wide open like the 50 1.4. Low light portrait photography can be very effective, and that is why sharp wide open would be something to shoot for.
If you are doing head and shoulders mostly, then a 77 1.8 might be a good thing. remember, just remember... your feet are just as effective as a zoom option in portraits
don't forget, you would want a lens that lets you stay back a distance from the subject that will not put you in their "comfort zone", meaning everyone has a distance that they allow people to be from them before they start feeling uncomforable.
I don't own a 40mm, but I would guess too much wider and you might get a little close for some people's comfort.
If I was going for a zoom and had the money I would either go with the *17-50 or the *50-135. big bucks, but in the grand picture, spread the cost over a life time of pleasure and it seem to justify itself (until the wife finds out)
good luck with your choices
let us know how you make out.
cheers
randy