Reading mode: Light Dark

Omd EM5 portrait lens

Go to last post
S

Sierra Crest Outfitter

Leading Member
Messages
677
Reaction score
0
Location
US
I'm looking for a good portrait lens where I can get a
Full body length bokah. I have 44mm 1.8 and a 12-50mm 3.5-6.3. Neither one fits the bill. I'd like a faster lens with good bokah.
There are so many lenses out there not sure which
One to get. Any suggestions?
 
Sierra Crest Outfitter said:
Sierra Crest Outfitter wrote:

I'm looking for a good portrait lens where I can get a
Full body length bokah. I have 44mm 1.8 and a 12-50mm 3.5-6.3. Neither one fits the bill. I'd like a faster lens with good bokah.
There are so many lenses out there not sure which
One to get. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Your question was bit like asking how long a piece of string is :)

What type of portraits, studio or location, if in a studio what kind of working space will it be.
 
Sierra Crest Outfitter said:
Sierra Crest Outfitter wrote:

I'm looking for a good portrait lens where I can get a
Full body length bokah. I have 44mm 1.8 and a 12-50mm 3.5-6.3. Neither one fits the bill. I'd like a faster lens with good bokah.
There are so many lenses out there not sure which
One to get. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
If you want full body length bokeh, you need special bokeh mist dispenser.
 
s_grins said:
s_grins wrote:
s_grins said:
Sierra Crest Outfitter wrote:

I'm looking for a good portrait lens where I can get a
Full body length bokah. I have 44mm 1.8 and a 12-50mm 3.5-6.3. Neither one fits the bill. I'd like a faster lens with good bokah.
There are so many lenses out there not sure which
One to get. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
If you want full body length bokeh, you need special bokeh mist dispenser.

--
Looking for equilibrium...
Click to expand...
Bokeh mist dispenser, that'd be cool :)

I think the longer focal length of an Oly 75mm 1.8 would be the *easiest* current lens to create nice bokeh portraits with, but you certainly need more space/room to work best with it. Cramped indoor spaces would not be a good fit.

Part of me would love that lens, but then I realize the 75 would probably be limited to outdoor use, mostly ... and kind of defeats the whole purpose of having a fast 1.8 aperture to begin with.

Still, tempting. As it is, I too have a 45mm 1.8 and that's perfectly adequate for now.

Neil
 
75/1.8 for m4/3



original.jpg




original.jpg




original.jpg


Rokinon 85/1.4 for 4/3 via adapter



original.jpg


35-100 f2 for 4/3 via adapter



original.jpg


150 f2 for 4/3 via adapter



original.jpg




--
www.pbase.com

root by

www.pbase.com
 
Bokeh portraits in a studio?
 
Sierra Crest Outfitter said:
Sierra Crest Outfitter wrote:

I'm looking for a good portrait lens where I can get a
Full body length bokah. I have 44mm 1.8 and a 12-50mm 3.5-6.3. Neither one fits the bill. I'd like a faster lens with good bokah.
There are so many lenses out there not sure which
One to get. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
For full length body bokeh, I would suggest the SLR Magic 25mm t0.95. It is wide enough for full length body portraits without backing into the wall and has thin DoF with great bokeh. This was not meant as a portrait, it was in difficult light and it was only t2.8. But it turned out quite well nonetheless.



8adbf5518e884f0ebbcc558291d434ba.jpg
 
For full length shots in a studio its often to better to use a zoom, a kit lens or something like the 12-35mm.

Wide apertures are not generally called for, backgrounds can be easily manipulated.
 
Budget: Rokinon 85mm F1.4

Have GAS: Olympus 75mm F1.8

I wonder how does Voigtlander 42.5mm F0.95 do for portrait? it would have similar DoF as FF with 85mm F1.8
 
Last edited:
Very nice.

Do you have examples at 1.4?

I wonder what a speed booster might do for this lens.
 
Thanks! Actually, 1.4 and 2 have very similar output in terms of bokeh. Circular bokeh highlights are a little more out of focus and rounded, but that's about it, besides gaining a stop in shutter speed and a fraction less dof. The CA is not all that hard to clean up, but f2 does such a good job of clearing it up and seldom do I REALLY need another stop of shutter, so it's just easier to do f2. I will use 1.4 more readily after dark, on cloudy days, or indoors, where highlight contrast is less extreme.

I seem to remember these being 1.4, but it wouldn't hold up in court... :)



original.jpg




original.jpg




original.jpg




original.jpg




original.jpg




original.jpg




--
www.pbase.com

root by

www.pbase.com
 
jfinite said:
jfinite wrote:

Thanks! Actually, 1.4 and 2 have very similar output in terms of bokeh. Circular bokeh highlights are a little more out of focus and rounded, but that's about it, besides gaining a stop in shutter speed and a fraction less dof. The CA is not all that hard to clean up, but f2 does such a good job of clearing it up and seldom do I REALLY need another stop of shutter, so it's just easier to do f2. I will use 1.4 more readily after dark, on cloudy days, or indoors, where highlight contrast is less extreme.

I seem to remember these being 1.4, but it wouldn't hold up in court... :)

original.jpg


original.jpg


original.jpg


original.jpg


original.jpg


original.jpg


--
http://www.pbase.com/jfinite/image/108917658.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/jfinite
Click to expand...
The olympus 45mm does me, and I have my mind set on the new 60mm from Sigma. The old legacy 50mm lenses from Olympus are good if you don`t mind manual focusing.

I was surprised to find, for the age there pretty free of Ca and still produce accurate colours.

At some point if there is enough demand I might produce of few LR camera profiles for the 50mm f1.8 and the 50mm f1.4 for free download if I can get get my hands on one.

Edit, I already have free profiles for download for the OMD, 50mm zuiko legacy and a bunch of other lenses that can be downloaded from here
 
Last edited:
Thanks - good stuff!

Now I just have to figure out which mount and adapter combo to go with (and potentially which metabones speed booster might come into play later)
 
Pick a focal length and go from there...

You said 44/1,8 didn't cut it... in what way? Was the FL too long or short? too much DoF or harsh bokeh?

Ignoring the bokeh, take your 12-50 and determine which focal length gives you the framing you want in the room you have to work in, then choose from the available lenses...

25/1.4 gets top marks for a bit wider there's the 20/1.7 or 17/1.8

the 45/1.8 will have a[most the same FoV as your 44. Great lens at a great price, but if the focal length doesn't work for you...

Next up is the 75/1.8 Probably not what you are looking for if you want full body shots... unless you have a lot of working distance.

Need a bigger aperture? there are some manual lenses in m43 mount at f0.95



or move to a format w shallower DoF (FF, Mf)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top