17-40 L lens for Portraiture????

[JakeMcGuire]

Ok, so I need everyone's help.  As of now, I have a Digital Rebel XT and I am about to upgrade to the 5D.  I already have a 17-40 L lens.  My question is, do you guys think a 17-40 mounted on a 5D would be decent for portraits?  My girlfriend needs me to do her senior portraits and I told her I would once I get the 5D.  But, I thought about getting the 5D and 24-105 kit.  However, I can barely afford the 5D body alone.  I COULD get the kit with the 24-105, but I'd be stretching it.  Do you guys think that a 17-40 on a 5D would be good for senior portraits?  I know that I can simply crop any photo I want to because of the 5D's resolution, but I still don't know what to do.  HELP ME!!!  Thanks a lot!

Jake McGuire

P.S.  I'm going to include a photo I took of her with my rebel and 17-40... just for kicks.  Comment and critique if you want.  It's a good photo, but I'm STILL upgrading to the 5D.  Thanks.

[attachment=5128:attachment]

[Hank]

I wouldn't recommend it for close work, unless she would really like her nose enlarged.  By the time you get close enough for frame filling portraits, WA distortion (even @ 40mm) can be really unflattering.  We seldom drop below about 80mm for individual head and shoulder shots.  We may use the wider lenses when doing outdoor portraits or similar indoor portraits when you are showing the individual head-to-toe along with a fair bit of their surroundings.  You still have to watch our for vertical stretching if they are standing upright.

[kaelaria]

No it won't be for traditional shots.  Even with a 24-70 you'll be at the far end most of the time on a 5D.  Get the kit if you need it for portraits, or stick with an APS body for now.

[gunnar1]

I agree with Kaelaria here. The 24-105 is my preferred portrait lens, although I have found that I need most often to manually focus it (another story) but the focal length is good. I also make frequent use of a 70-200 for portraiture, especially outdoors. It gives a very nice background effect at the longer subject to camera distance, wide open. All used on a 1.3 crop sensor.

What is wrong with using your XT for portraiture anyway?

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

As a very happy 5D user, I agree with the other posters here. In your shoes I would get the 24-105 now and use it for portraits on the XT and wait a bit longer until you can aafford the 5D (or its successor).

On a full-frame camera, portraits are really hard with a lens much shorter than about 90 or 100. With your 17-40 you can get good full-length shots with the XT, but good head shots will need a longer lens.

[witz]

I think it all depends on your style of shooting.... my fav lens for portraits or lifestyle on my 1ds3 is the 35mm f1.4L.... and on the hassy the 50mm.

If everyone went by the book, then all styles would look the same.

one thing to keep in mind with wider perspective ( less than 50mm on 35FF ) is to make sure the model is not leaning back or away from the camera.... leaning a bit forward is key. ( see attached file.. shot MFDB 50mm f2.8 )

as for the 5D... The larger VF is worth the upgrade alone. fantastic camera for portraits.... keep your in camera curves as flat as possible, shoot raw, and save your "film look" for post (photoshop).

[Jim Pascoe]

Witzke

That is a great shot!  I am a location shooter myself, but that almost makes me want to get back in the studio.  Love it.

Jim

[witz]

Witzke

That is a great shot!  I am a location shooter myself, but that almost makes me want to get back in the studio.  Love it.

Jim
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thanks.... Yossof Karsh has always been my hero!

the bad thing about shooting wide open (my style) is that you have to have top notch glass that's very fast. Not an easy thing for a lens maker to accomplish.

[marcmccalmont]

If you are on a budget why not purchase a 40D?
You can get a 40D and a Sigma 18-200 OS (very good reviews) for the price of a 5D and you would still have your current lens.
Marc