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Zoom Portrait Lens suggestions

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bolesautomotive

bolesautomotive

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Hey gang, I'm facing the dilemma of finding a sharp zoom for portrait work. I currently use Canon FD L prime glass. I don't expect prime lens quality but would like to get close without spending $1600.00 on something that just came out. The 28-70 doesn't seem to be up to the task from what I've read but might work. It's hard to believe it can be good at such a low cost. I am considering the Canon 24-70 2.8 L as I have a commlite adapter but the af is just way slow.

Any A-Mount suggestions? I need quality. Not moody, self absorbed perfectionista quality but I do expect contrast and sharpness. I don't want to lose a stop of light by adding a LAEA-4 but if it's what makes it work then it's what I will have to do.

Real world experience anyone? Thanks!
 
I've always used 70-200 (f2.8 for my Nikon and f4 for Sony) for portraits.

I don't like short (e.g., 55mm, 85mm 24-70mm) lenses for portraits.

It does require you to get a standoff distance.
 
I have a good bit of room. I can shoot as far away as 40 ft so not a problem. Honestly forgot about the Sony 70-200.
 
The 70-200/4 is an excellent portrait lens.

Either of the new GM zooms will likely be outstanding.

The new 85/1.4 GM will also be a great portrait choice for a non-zoom lens.

-Bill
 
I love my 70-200 f4 G for portraiture. I'll typically shoot portraits between 90-150mm and love the versatility and fast focus. It's also quite well balanced on my A7ii. If you want some examples check out my site at sungparkphotography.com under portraits - I don't do a ton of retouching so you'll really see the actual output of the glass.
 
I just got the Tamron 70-200mm F2. 8 with laea3 and works great and it's sharp wide open at 200mm.
The tamron 24-70 F2.8 also gets great reviews but I prefer 70-200 for portraits.
Can be found easily under $1000 in like new condition. Got mine for $791 shipped mint.

Of course you lose eye AF with those adapted lenses though
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lgabrielg/
 
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shaolin95 said:
I just got the Tamron 70-200mm F2. 8 with laea3 and works great and it's sharp wide open at 200mm.
The tamron 24-70 F2.8 also gets great reviews but I prefer 70-200 for portraits.
Can be found easily under $1000 in like new condition. Got mine for $791 shipped mint.

Of course you lose eye AF with those adapted lenses though
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lgabrielg/
Click to expand...
Interesting - how is the autofocus speed with the LA-EA3 and the updated firmware on the A7ii?
 
Another vote for the 70-200 f4. Getting some cracking pics of my toddler with mine. So sharp and fast focus too. Great Bokeh as well
 
Member said:
shaolin95 said:
I just got the Tamron 70-200mm F2. 8 with laea3 and works great and it's sharp wide open at 200mm.
The tamron 24-70 F2.8 also gets great reviews but I prefer 70-200 for portraits.
Can be found easily under $1000 in like new condition. Got mine for $791 shipped mint.

Of course you lose eye AF with those adapted lenses though
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lgabrielg/
Click to expand...
Interesting - how is the autofocus speed with the LA-EA3 and the updated firmware on the A7ii?
Click to expand...
 
I have Canon 24-70 F4L and Metabones 3 which I intend to update. AF is instant except at 70mm where it failed a few times.

IQ is excellent.

http://www.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/162411667/large

For portraits though 70-200 F4L is probably better. Mine cost $600 at KEH.

Greg.
 
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bolesautomotive said:
Hey gang, I'm facing the dilemma of finding a sharp zoom for portrait work. I currently use Canon FD L prime glass. I don't expect prime lens quality but would like to get close without spending $1600.00 on something that just came out. The 28-70 doesn't seem to be up to the task from what I've read but might work. It's hard to believe it can be good at such a low cost. I am considering the Canon 24-70 2.8 L as I have a commlite adapter but the af is just way slow.

Any A-Mount suggestions? I need quality. Not moody, self absorbed perfectionista quality but I do expect contrast and sharpness. I don't want to lose a stop of light by adding a LAEA-4 but if it's what makes it work then it's what I will have to do.

Real world experience anyone? Thanks!
Click to expand...
I think the 28-70 kit lens would be fine.....used at 70mm 5.6 and for portraits I think it would be a nice choice....for anything but the one eye in focus type portrait.

The lens apparently has some sample variation but I like mine.....it is actually quite sharp in the centre where it would mostly be used for portraits....if it has any weak area it is the edges which is why it might not be the best landscape lens but mostly doesn't matter for portraits and for the price you get an optically ok light weight auto focus stabilized lens and it is not THAT bad for landscapes either.

Now having said that, I don't use it much because I have better (and more expensive) lenses but I would have no hesitation using it for portraits if it was what I had with me.....and makes a nice light travel lens too.

This is about the only shot I have from the kit lens at the moment....on the A7s.



 
shaolin95 said:
I just got the Tamron 70-200mm F2. 8 with laea3 and works great and it's sharp wide open at 200mm.
The tamron 24-70 F2.8 also gets great reviews but I prefer 70-200 for portraits.
Can be found easily under $1000 in like new condition. Got mine for $791 shipped mint.

Of course you lose eye AF with those adapted lenses though
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lgabrielg/
Click to expand...
OP has the original a7 which doesn't have the PDAF points activated with adapted lenses. Right now it's just a7II and a7RII that can adapt with LAEA3 very well.

I agree with you that this combo works pretty well and is sharp. It's large and heavy though due to the physics of 2.8 telephoto zooms.

--
http://www.lightfinity.net
 
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Thanks everyone!!! This is great discussion! Yes, for the time being I am using the A7 model. I have owned both Canon 70-200 f4 L lenses before I purchased this camera. I was not impressed with the slow autofocus through the commlite adapter I had. It also horribly back focused. I sold them before I bought the A7 or I might have enjoyed using them with focus correction. Great contrast and very quiet.

It's good to hear the LAEA-4 doesn't loose as much light as I originally thought. The more I thought about that statement the more I realized I was nit picking. The a7 has such a wide dynamic range that even if I shot at 1 stop less light it's as simple as a quick correction in post processing (I've been off by 4 stops before just playing around only to find a great picture hiding in the excessively underexposed image). I really am amazed at just how far you can push this sensor. Can not wait to get the A7RII (gotta improve my skills first, make some money to pay for it). Thank you for suggesting the a-mount lenses. I was considering going that route. As another member posted, I do consider resale ease with any lens purchase. My 70-200 lenses sold lighting fast. I can't say that Minolta lenses will move that quickly....but if they are that good, I won't get rid of them.

I am definitely sold on the Canon L glass. My FD lenses are like diamonds to me. I am glad to hear so many votes for the Sony 70-200. I really liked the Canon version (when the AF worked) so I expect similar attributes from the Sony. I considered purchasing this lens and at $1,000 it's not out of reach. Obviously I want to spend the least I can but I am not above spending for quality. After all, what good is a camera without great glass? I know I can't afford all the glass I want and I'm ok with that....but I will not settle for less than sharp images. I'd rather use the wrong focal length and make it work for sharpness and contrast than use the correct focal length from a less than quality lens. This is why my bag is so limited right now.
 
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