Best mm for full body portrait shots?

axl · 10-06-2009, 06:29 AM

Originally posted by krypticide

Depends on the FOV you want, but minimum might be 35mm on APS-C. Just my suggestion...24mm might be possible without distortion.

I find 24 distorting a bit when goinng for tight framing.
From personal experience I'd suggest between 30 annd 40 on APSC.
I find 40 to be my favourite as it let's me keep some distance. But with subject (model) comfortable ennough, 31 is great too.
BR
Peter

egordon99 · 10-06-2009, 11:38 AM

1)Grab a person
2)Set your kit lens @ 18mm and position yourself so you can get a full body portrait shot
3)Set the lens to 24mm and position yourself so you can get a full body portait shot (hint: you'll be walking away from the subject

)
4)Repeat for ~35mm and 50mm
5)Evaluate the images, paying attention to the relationship between the subject and the background, as well as how the subject itself looks (hint: they will look fairly distorted at 18mm)

You will have learned much more from this exercise than from an entire evening of reading forum posts.

D4rknezz · 10-06-2009, 01:37 PM

Thanks! I will do so

In regards about kicking myself for a 50mm f2, i think its not the f2, its just rather because i would have thought i got a good deal on an 1.2. ^_^.
There is one right now in the market place for some 400 dollars!

kristoffon · 10-06-2009, 03:09 PM

In portraits in general it's desirable to have a longer focal lenght to compress features and make the person appear better. IOW a short FL strengthens perspective and makes noses bigger, etc.

I consider the 31mm ideal for full body portraits. A 50mm is ok if you have the working distance. 18mm is a no-no IMHO for the reasons I stated.

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10-06-2009, 06:29 AM	#16
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by krypticide Depends on the FOV you want, but minimum might be 35mm on APS-C. Just my suggestion...24mm might be possible without distortion. I find 24 distorting a bit when goinng for tight framing. From personal experience I'd suggest between 30 annd 40 on APSC. I find 40 to be my favourite as it let's me keep some distance. But with subject (model) comfortable ennough, 31 is great too. BR Peter

10-06-2009, 11:38 AM	#17
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	1)Grab a person 2)Set your kit lens @ 18mm and position yourself so you can get a full body portrait shot 3)Set the lens to 24mm and position yourself so you can get a full body portait shot (hint: you'll be walking away from the subject ) 4)Repeat for ~35mm and 50mm 5)Evaluate the images, paying attention to the relationship between the subject and the background, as well as how the subject itself looks (hint: they will look fairly distorted at 18mm) You will have learned much more from this exercise than from an entire evening of reading forum posts.

10-06-2009, 01:37 PM	#18
D4rknezz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,196 Original Poster	Thanks! I will do so In regards about kicking myself for a 50mm f2, i think its not the f2, its just rather because i would have thought i got a good deal on an 1.2. ^_^. There is one right now in the market place for some 400 dollars!

10-06-2009, 03:09 PM	#19
kristoffon Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brazil Posts: 532	In portraits in general it's desirable to have a longer focal lenght to compress features and make the person appear better. IOW a short FL strengthens perspective and makes noses bigger, etc. I consider the 31mm ideal for full body portraits. A 50mm is ok if you have the working distance. 18mm is a no-no IMHO for the reasons I stated.

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