Agent M10 Posted December 27, 2006 Share #1 Posted December 27, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm considering the 75 mm 2.0 for my M7 and plan to take portraits with it. I just read an article that portrait lenses should be 90 mm or more to avoid distortion of facial features. Actually, the article said that many fashion photographers use 300 mm for their portrait shots. Any comments? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 27, 2006 Posted December 27, 2006 Hi Agent M10, Take a look here 75 2.0 M for Portraits. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bill Posted December 27, 2006 Share #2 Posted December 27, 2006 Peter, welcome! I don't believe in "rules"... the 90 is no more a "portrait" lens than the 21 is an "architecture" lens. You can take intimate, characterful portraits with a 90, 75, 50, 40, 35, 28... need I go on? The important thing is the way in which you wish to depict your subject. From your posting I take it that you are not looking to produce either "environmental portraits", showing your subject in their environment, nor "charicatures", deliberately distorting their appearance for effect. In terms of field of view, 75 is entirely adequate for your purposes, depending upon how far away from your subject you want and need to be. Personally, I like the 75 slightly more than the 90, but I tend to use it as a "long standard" rather than a "short tele". Finally, I really wouldn't worry about what fashion photographers use, unless you intend to sit at the end of a catwalk... Regards, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grober Posted December 27, 2006 Share #3 Posted December 27, 2006 I've used both 75 and 90 Summicrons for portraits with good results. The 75mm focal length really excels when shooting a couple. With this "short tele," I like being far enough away to render a good perspective yet close enough to still emote and interact with the subjects. (On the M8 perhaps a 50mm lens will be my small group portrait lens. I need more experience with the new camera before I land on a "best" choice..) One thing is certain: either Summicron is TOO sharp. For people portraits, I regularly use a Zeiss Softar filter to soften the image. Bill is correct: any lens can be used to capture a portrait. It all depends how much of the subject's environment you also want to include. As a general rule, a longer focal length lets the photographer be more specific, both in angle of view and when using a larger f-stop, in the amount of background left in focus on the final picture. The best guideline is to use the camera/lens combination that gives you the best "feel" for that final portrait whilst you're capturing the initial image. -g Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted December 28, 2006 Share #4 Posted December 28, 2006 Grober makes an excellent point; short-tele and tele lenses don't just bring things closer, they also isolate the subject from the background, by cutting out extraneous and unwanted detail. This "selectivity" is as important as shallow dof in isolating your subject - if that is what you want to achieve. Regards, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eoin Posted December 28, 2006 Share #5 Posted December 28, 2006 Rules are made to be broken and I would have said the traditional focal lenght for portrait is 135mm in the SLR arena. That being said I always found the 85mm Canon L just perfect for portrait on digital 1.25x crop, with this in mind I opted for the Summicron 75 APO Asph to use on the M8. My reason being I tended never to use wider than f/2.8 due to the limited DOF. My findings at this point in time are that the 75 while excellent in isolating the subject, colour rendition and ease of use but seems to lack the intimate feel in a portrait. Rather replacing it with a very clinical crisp image. I am guessing that time/use will reveal the virtues of this lens to me, but in the meantime it's use is complemented with a little postprocessing to remove some of that sharpness. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron110n Posted December 28, 2006 Share #6 Posted December 28, 2006 I just read an article that portrait lenses should be 90 mm or more to avoid distortion of facial features. Hi Peter, Yes it's true. Longer lens makes the face longer and wider lens makes the subject gain weight. You should be ok with the 75 APO since it is a telephoto. -Ron Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dritz Posted December 28, 2006 Share #7 Posted December 28, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Two images shot with the 75 'cron and M6. The shorter throw and shorter focus range makes it more pleasant to use than the 90 AA. If you want more intimacy, consider the 90 macro-elmar. Dean Seattle, WA Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/12178-75-20-m-for-portraits/?do=findComment&comment=128233'>More sharing options...
Bill W Posted December 29, 2006 Share #8 Posted December 29, 2006 The 75 has always been looked at as the ultimate portrait lens since it allows you to get into the subject but not be too intimate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted December 29, 2006 Share #9 Posted December 29, 2006 Wonderful shots Dean! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arminw Posted December 29, 2006 Share #10 Posted December 29, 2006 I've just finished a week shooting portraits with the 75 2.0 and my M7 and all I can say is its been fun and this lens is most desirable. I can only recommend it and if you use the M8 with it it's perfect. Here is one of the shots I've taken .... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.