What lens should I get for shallow depth of field portraits on a Canon Rebel T1i?
Asked 3/4/2011
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I’m new to photography and want to create portraits where the subject is sharp but the background is strongly blurred. I’m using the standard kit lens on a Canon Rebel T1i, and even when the model is in focus, the background stays more in focus than I want. What type of lens and settings should I use to get a shallower depth of field similar to a professional portrait look?
Originally by user4144. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4144
15y ago
2 Answers
5
Reading the EXIF info in that image reveals it was shot using a Canon 5D with a 70-200mm f/2.8L lens at 182mm
The 5D is a full frame body which gives a wider field of view at the same focal length. It also gives a shallower depth of field than an APS-C body like your t1i when matching the field of view. So to replicate this photo as closely as possible on your camera with respect to field of view and depth of field you would need a 113mm f/1.8
As Canon don't make a 113mm lens, you'll be able to get pretty darn close with the 100mm f/2.0, which is a very nice lens, though may be beyond your budget. To get a similar look without spending as much you could get a 50 f/1.8. However you'll have to be a bit closer and wont get the same degree of background blur. You can get very nice portraits with background blur with the 50mm but if you want to be able to do full length shots like the one you posted you need a longer lens, like the 100mm.
Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1375
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For stronger background blur, look for a lens with a wider maximum aperture and use portrait-friendly focal lengths.
Depth of field depends mainly on:
- aperture: use a lower f-number
- focal length: longer lenses blur the background more
- subject distance: get closer to the subject while keeping the background farther away
Your example image was shot on a full-frame camera with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens near 182mm, which helps create that look. On your APS-C Rebel T1i, a close match would require a fairly long, fast lens, but a practical starting point is a 50mm f/1.8. It’s widely recommended for beginners because it gives much shallower depth of field than the kit lens and is a good portrait lens on your camera.
If you want more of the compressed, flatter portrait look and stronger blur, consider longer fast lenses such as 85mm, 100mm, or a 70-200mm f/2.8. A 100mm f/2 would get especially close to that style.
So: start with a 50mm f/1.8 if budget matters, and shoot it wide open. For an even closer match to your example, use a longer fast lens.
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