Which lens is best for candid portraits on a Canon 70D if I want more background blur?
Asked 11/22/2018
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I’m using a Canon 70D with the 18-135mm kit zoom and want stronger background blur for candid and portrait photography. I’m considering Canon 35mm, 40mm, or 50mm lenses. Which focal length is better for portraits and candid shots on a crop-sensor camera, and what should I look for if I want a more blurred background?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
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18-135mm is not a prime lens. A prime lens has a fixed focal length.
The focal length itself depends highly on your taste but in any case you should buy a lens with a wide aperture (low f-number). This makes it easier to get blurry backgrounds.
I used to love taking portraits at 200-300mm (on a crop sensor like yours) which often resulted in images where the subject didn't even notice you, which is the most natural expression you can get. Now I'd recommend a 70-200mm/f2.8, which is expensive but you get a nice background blur and the quality is really good.
You will need 35mm or 50mm if you take a picture of the whole body or group photos and not only the face. Plus, you get more context if you use wider angles, because the viewer will understand what the scenery was and not only see a face with a blurry background.
I would not recommend 35mm AND 50mm. Buy one of those and use your feet.
Originally by user77549. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user77549
7y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Your 18-135mm is a zoom, not a prime lens. For more background blur, the key thing to look for is a wider aperture (a lower f-number), not just focal length.
On a Canon 70D, different focal lengths suit different portrait styles:
- 35mm or 50mm: good for full-body portraits, environmental portraits, or small groups where you want to include more of the scene.
- Longer focal lengths: often better for candid portraits and tighter headshots because they let you shoot from farther away and can produce stronger background blur.
One community answer specifically recommended a 70-200mm f/2.8 for candid portraits because it gives very good subject isolation and lets people act naturally without noticing the camera as much.
So if your main goal is blurrier backgrounds, prioritize a fast lens with a wide aperture. If you want tighter candid portraits, a longer lens is often the better choice; if you want full-body or more context in the frame, 35mm or 50mm makes more sense.
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