Outdoor portraiture lenses?

Question:I keep hearing different opinions as to which focal length is most superb. I don't want to get in the model's face with a 50mm.. that is totally out of the question.. awesome bokeh or not. Reaching the lines of a 200/300mm prime lens...would this distort the model in a bad way?

Thanks

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I keep hearing different opinions as to which focal length is most superb. I don't want to get in the model's face with a 50mm.. that is totally out of the question.. awesome bokeh or not. Reaching the lines of a 200/300mm prime lens...would this distort the model in a bad way?

Thanks

Use a fast telezoom if you can, like a 70-200mm f/2.8. There will be little distortion (especially with a pro zoom), even at 200mm. In fact, many portrait photographers use longer lengths as the optical compression at the long end tend to complement and flatter facial features, in addition to being far enough away from the subject. The 200-300mm focal range is widely accepted as a "good" length for portraits. The perfect length, I think, is argued over too much to even know. (To quote Ken Rockwell). My opinion only.

Long lenses don't distort, wide angle lenses do.

If your cameras sensor is small (APS size) then a 50mm lens will behave like a 75mm or 80mm would on a full sized sensor, which is perfect for portraiture. Longer lenses will put you further away from your model for the same shot, but they are more difficult to control, they are more likely to suffer from camera shake. Unless you use a tripod of course.

Chris

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2116/2342...

The 2nd one from the left (top) was taken with Canon 5D with Canon 100-400 mm f 4.5-5.6 at, I believe, 200 mm, open wide.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/2299...

Canon 100 mm f 2.8 Macro

Same lens: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2164/2168...

Another with 100 - 400 mm Canon

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3002/2365...

Hope this helps a bit.