I'm a freelance photography, can say it's my side hobby, in a few months time i'll be taking a pre-confirm job which is shooting portrait photography for a few best friends. I don't think my current tamron 18-200 zoom lens is up to the job. Would prefer decent lenses which are not too pricey.

50mm F1.8
85mm F1.8

Can i know why these 2 choices ? Which of these 2 would stand out better ?

Cheap
easy to get great results

I find it quite hard to achieve shallow depth of field with my tamrom lens, could either of those 2 achieve decent shallow depth of field ? ( technical skills and settings aside )

since you mention about portrait photography, 50MM 1.8 would be the best choice at lower price.

yes, it is because your current lens dont have big aperture opening (smaller F number, bigger aperture opening)
the smaller the number the shallow depth of field


Or you try use 200mm on your lens, then use the smallest number you can use. then see the results


This post has been edited by apendots: Oct 13 2020, 05:34 PM

I see, understood. Thanks a lot bro ! Will also try ur suggested method on my zoom lens.

Yup, I would most likely go with the recommended 50MM 1.8, thanks alot !

Hi. What's your budget? I assume you're on an APSC since you mentioned the tamron 18-200mm.

Depending on the portrait styling and look, a flash system is a much better investment and could produce remarkable results due to better lighting control. You can spend very little on a cheap flash system if you shop around a little bit.. I recommend the Godoxes.

If shallow depth of field is the sole reason, then the 50mm STM. Not worthy in my opinion to get the other 50mm's like the 50mm ii or yongnuo even if they're cheaper. The 50mm STM is really nice.

Better to have a budget though to skim down the recommendations

I'm at around 500+ budget, I saw the 50mm 1.8 that a few people here recommended, which is also around that price is it not ? I might just go for that, the 50mm STM that u are talking about, it's the same one that these guys recommended ?

Can't speak for others. If your budget is RM500, then get the 50mm f1.8
STM version. Don't have to bother with the other cheaper versions...

It also kind of locks you out of other lens choices with the RM500 budget. I don't think you can find a decent 85mm f1.8 with that price even if its used.

The 50mm will give you a tighter FOV which is nice for portraits waist up, maybe not too close headshots... If you want a full body shot, you'll have to stand quite a distance away. If you're shooting outdoors, then should be OK.

If environment portraits are your thing, the 24mm STM is also within budget which will give you a broader FOV suitable for environmental portraits.

I still think that buying a flash system is a better purchase than lenses if you intend to take corporate style posed headshots/portraits....