Which Lens?

[Matthew]

If you had the choice of only one sigma prime lens for portrait photography, which would you buy?

1) 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
2) 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM
3) Other

[Steaphany]

I would say it depends on which camera(s) you have. In my case, having both the SD14 and SA9, the decision would be which medium I would prefer. For Digital with the SD14, I'd go with the 30mm, for Film with the SA9, I'd go with the 50mm. My reason is the angle of view. The SD14's smaller than 35mm format imager would have a close to 50mm frame with the 30mm Lens.

This is why I went with the 28mm f/1.8 EX DG lens as my first purchase after the SD14 camera body. The only kit lenses, both zoom, in my collection came bundled with the SA9.

[Matthew]

When I first got my SD14, I was of the same mind in looking for a prime lens for portrait shooting, trying for 50-55mm film SLR equivalent.  I picked up a few m42 lenses, a 28mm and 55mm among them.  However, the 55mm lens looks like a "normal" lens on my SD14.  The image through the viewfinder looks the same as through the naked eye.  The Sigma DC kit lens at 50mm looks slightly wider than "normal", and of course, it's quite slow.

I realize of course, that the 55mm (times 1.7 on Sigma DLSR) is like 93mm or so on film SLR camera.  But it seems photographers use long lenses for portrait photography too, and Ive used the 55mm a lot for this on the SD14.

The 28mm m42 lens renders a slightly fish-eye effect in close-up portraits, making a person's nose look larger than it really is.  The 55mm m42, doesn't do that. 

But with no focusing screen, getting a nice sharp picture with an m42 is a crap-shoot sometimes, especially in candid situations.  So I'm looking to improve my sharp shooting percentage.  But I don't know if comparing m42 lenses with sigma DG lenses is apples and oranges.

[Matthew]

Found this advice

http://www.photographytips.com/page.cfm/468
MODERATE TELEPHOTO LENSES

Moderate-length telephoto lenses (85 mm to 130 mm lenses for 35 mm cameras) can be hand-held when shutter speeds are fast enough, and are ideal for portrait work, especially headshots and head and shoulder pictures. In fact, the 105 mm is considered to be the classic portrait lens.

This, along with my experiences with the 55mm m42 has me leaning toward the 50mm (85mm) now.

[Ed_S]

Matt,

I don't own either of those specific lenses, and I don't do much portrait work. I do have some experience with the 28mm f 1.8 and the 50mm f 2.8. Those caveats given, and with much respect for Steaphany's preference, I'd probably lean toward at least a 50 mm for use on the SD14 for portraits. While the 30mm (or 28 mm in my case) is pretty close to a 50mm *equivalent* with the 1.7 crop factor on the SD14, I think a 50mm actual (85mm equivalent?) might be a little better simply to minimize any possible facial distortion. Closer to (as you report it) the "classic" portrait lens of about 100mm or so (on 35mm format).

Best,