18-56mm for portrait usage

[Guest]

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Hello all,

I'm thinking about picking up an 18-56mm as a general walkaround lens for the TL2, I know it'll be great for most applications but not sure how it would work for portraits. At the long end wide open what sort of subject separation is possible? I don't take many portraits so it's not a big concern. Any example images would be greatly appreciated

[wda]

I use that lens on the CL, often at the 'long end'. For a  head and shoulders portrait, at the maximum aperture setting, you can obtain fairly good separation. I would choose a non-fussy background, if possible. Or a plain background with opposing or complementary  tones to your subject. I am not keen on razor thin zones of sharpness; so the modest starting aperture is ideal for my work. You possibly have alternate prime lenses for your TL2 camera, one of which would give you an alternative rendering of your subject. If your portrait is of the kind 'landscape with human figure', then you will not have any discernible separation. But for conventional portraiture you should not be disappointed.

[alainD]

Here is an example @56mm.

 

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[Guest]

19 minutes ago, alainD said:

Here is an example @56mm.

 

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Thanks for the example, nice shot subject separation definitely there. 

[Guest]

34 minutes ago, wda said:

I use that lens on the CL, often at the 'long end'. For a  head and shoulders portrait, at the maximum aperture setting, you can obtain fairly good separation. I would choose a non-fussy background, if possible. Or a plain background with opposing or complementary  tones to your subject. I am not keen on razor thin zones of sharpness; so the modest starting aperture is ideal for my work. You possibly have alternate prime lenses for your TL2 camera, one of which would give you an alternative rendering of your subject. If your portrait is of the kind 'landscape with human figure', then you will not have any discernible separation. But for conventional portraiture you should not be disappointed.

Sounds perfectly suitable for my use

[DwF]

Thank you for sharing this image Alain. A picture is always worth a thousand words and I was curious to see this as well. I have the X Vario which goes to 46mm and have been able to get some pop because the lens is so good, but it is tough, also coupled with APS-C sensor size.

David

[alainD]

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Most welcome! As a comparison point, here is a picture taken with the macro 60mm f/2.8

 

 

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[Ko.Fe.]

With just a little practice and paying attention to the background distance you could take portraits with object separation on normal zoom which this lens is. 

I also recommend to buy HCB book with portraits named "inner silence" and study how environmental portraits are done.

 

[Einst_Stein]

T + 18-56mm @  56mm/f5.6/ISO400

It is sweet, but I think a careful composition is required to remove the distractive background.  

 

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Edited May 16, 2020 by Einst_Stein

[Marac]

Sigma 45mm DG DN f2.8 is a very very good portrait lens that wont break your pockets, paired with the 18-56 you will have all you need.