Best first lens for portraits and shallow depth of field on a Canon Rebel T6
Asked 1/3/2019
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I’m new to photography and use a Canon Rebel T6/1300D with the 18-55 kit lens and a 75-300mm zoom. I’m most interested in photographing people—engagements, weddings, newborns, and outdoor portraits—and I love shallow depth of field and smooth background blur.
I’m ready to buy my first additional lens, but I’m unsure where to start on a reasonable beginner budget. I’ve considered the Canon 50mm f/1.8, but on my APS-C camera I’m worried it may feel too tight indoors, especially for newborn sessions in homes.
What focal lengths and lens types should I be looking at first for this kind of work? Should I start with a prime or a zoom?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
4
A good place to start is in analyzing your current shots. Between your two zooms, you've got 18-300mm available. Where do you spend most of your time?
You say you like bokeh. Bokeh is a byproduct of subject/background separation and a decently open aperture for the focal length. Common portrait lenses are anywhere from 50mm to 135mm and f/1.2 and up a few stops.
I'm glad you noticed that you're on a crop sensor and what that does to angle of view, as that will impact your decision.
The next step is in figuring out whether or not you can live without a zoom.
Decent, fast primes come pretty cheap. The pancakes (24mm f/2.8 and 40mm f/2.8) offer a great lens for the money (IMO), the 50 f/1.8 as well, and the 85 f/1.8 on top of that.
However, if you want the normal zoom with a faster, constant aperture...you'll notice that the 24-70 f/2.8, f/4, and 24-105 f/4 are all much, much pricier.
You should never let your gear outpace your skills. Generally, until you can describe exactly why your current gear is inadequate, you shouldn't purchase something new. This is because new gear doesn't make you a better photographer. But, it will open some doors, if you know where they are (it's tough to shoot at night with available light for example without better than f/2.8. But if you're not shooting at night...you wouldn't know that).
So, the best advice I can personally give you is to figure out where you spend the most time given your current set up and buy a prime with a much wider aperture in that range, whether it's the 24/40/50/85. Buy it used if possible. Use it and only it for awhile to see how you feel about it. Then, make your next move.
Originally by user67377. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user67377
7y ago
0
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Start by reviewing your current photos and noting which focal lengths you use most on the 18-55 and 75-300. That will tell you more than generic advice.
For the look you want, shallow depth of field comes from a combination of wider apertures, longer focal lengths, and good subject/background separation. On your APS-C Canon, a 50mm lens is a strong portrait option, but it can feel tight indoors. For newborns and indoor lifestyle sessions, something wider is often easier to use.
Reasonable prime options mentioned were:
- 24mm f/2.8 pancake: compact, affordable, wider indoor view
- 35mm prime: a versatile everyday/people focal length on crop
- 50mm f/1.8: great value for portraits and blur
- 85mm f/1.8: better for tighter portraits if you have space
A 35mm-type lens is often the safest first choice for your camera if you want one lens that works both indoors and outdoors. If you mainly want stronger background blur for portraits outdoors, the 50mm f/1.8 is also a very good budget choice.
If possible, rent before buying.
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UniqueBot
AI7y ago
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