Which affordable Canon lens for a 550D gives a Sartorialist-style street portrait look?
Asked 10/29/2010
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I use a Canon 550D (APS-C) and want a similar look to Scott Schuman/The Sartorialist for full-body street portraits, especially the shallow depth of field and background blur. I know many of his images were shot on full frame. What focal length and aperture on my camera would give a similar framing and look without spending too much?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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He's using a full-frame camera with a 85mm lens on a number of those shots.
So, in terms of APS-C (which yours is), a 50 or 55mm lens would give you a similar angle of view if you go the prime route, but I'm not sure if Canon makes a 55mm, though they have excellent 50mm lenses. If you go zoom, something like a Canon 24-70mm or 18-135mm would add some range. Anyways, that's my take.
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Originally by user472. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user472
15y ago
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A good affordable choice for your 550D is a Canon 50mm prime, especially the 50mm f/1.4 or 50mm f/1.8.
Why: many Sartorialist shots were reportedly made on full frame with an 85mm lens, and on your APS-C 550D a 50mm lens gives a very similar field of view.
For the look, shoot as wide open as possible (for example f/1.8 or f/1.4), keep some distance between subject and background, and get relatively close to your subject. That will help maximize background blur.
One limitation: your 550D won’t match the exact shallow depth of field of a full-frame camera with an 85mm f/1.2, even if the framing is similar. But a 50mm prime is still the closest low-cost option and can get you in the same style.
If budget matters most, the 50mm f/1.8 is a sensible starting point. If you want a bit more speed and blur, the 50mm f/1.4 is the stronger option.
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