On a full frame body, I have taken a lot of portraits over the years and I can say with confidence that 70% or more have been shot with 85mm or 135mm. Like most people, I started shooting with a 50mm fixed focal length lens and loved it, but I wanted a more cinematic look. I didn’t understand what that meant or what I was really after, until I started paying attention to the lenses other photographers were using and it became clear.
I bought the next 85mm and started using it for portrait shots and I love it – I still do. It’s long enough to separate the subject clearly, but it’s still wide enough that if you take a few steps back, you can capture more of the scene. Then, after watching one of my favorite photographers create stunning photos of flowers (of all things!), I invested in a Canon 135mm L and that’s it! My favorite lens up until the last few years, but it’s still in second place, miles away on Tuesday. If there’s good light, it’s hard to get a bad shot with the 135mm wide open, and if you’ve never tried it, I recommend borrowing or renting one to see what it’s like!
