Focal length comparison for portraits

[tonygale]

I thought I would share this comparison I did with a friend for a presentation I did for Sony and B&H.

This is how different focal lengths look with similar framing for portraits. The f/stop was f/5.6 on all of them. The portrait subject stayed in the same place, I moved progressively back to keep the framing similar as I used longer focal lengths. This was done with the 12-24/4 G, the 24-105/G and the 100-400 GM

#Alpha 7R IV (a7RIV) #FE 12-24mm F4 G #FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS #FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS 

[TrekRover]

This is such a fantastic visual comparison! I can definitely notice the bokeh and blur with the longer focal length. I never knew how much the 12mm could warp a portrait up that close. Very interesting!

[davidmclain]

This is really cool Tony. Thanks for sharing.

[tonygale]

This is really cool Tony. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks David!

 

[tonygale]

This is such a fantastic visual comparison! I can definitely notice the bokeh and blur with the longer focal length. I never knew how much the 12mm could warp a portrait up that close. Very interesting!

I'm glad it was helpful!

[IraBlock]

Very nice Tony - it will help a lot of people out who are new to using different lenses.

[tonygale]

Very nice Tony - it will help a lot of people out who are new to using different lenses.

Thanks Ira!

[CarolineJensen]

This is awesome, Tony! 

[bmcdonough]

This is great Tony! And a great way to visualize compression as well. That was something I found confusing when I first started shooting. 

[tonygale]

This is great Tony! And a great way to visualize compression as well. That was something I found confusing when I first started shooting. 

Thank you!

 

[tonygale]

This is awesome, Tony! 

Thank you very much!

 

[pm-r]

your post offers us all such a great reminder about distortion in wide angle lenses when shooting people!  I love using the 24GM for portraits but you have to be really careful not to bend people up!  My longtime preferences are 50GM, 85, 135GM, 70-200GMII, 24-70GMII, and the 90 macro.

[MattK]

Very cool Tony. I always hear about a 50mm being a great “portrait” lens. But if it’s not a full length or at least waist up portrait, it looks like it stretches a person’s face. To me, your longer focal length photos of him look more natural and face less stretched which is interesting to be able to compare. Thanks!

[tonygale]

Very cool Tony. I always hear about a 50mm being a great “portrait” lens. But if it’s not a full length or at least waist up portrait, it looks like it stretches a person’s face. To me, your longer focal length photos of him look more natural and face less stretched which is interesting to be able to compare. Thanks!

I agree

[tonygale]

your post offers us all such a great reminder about distortion in wide angle lenses when shooting people!  I love using the 24GM for portraits but you have to be really careful not to bend people up!  My longtime preferences are 50GM, 85, 135GM, 70-200GMII, 24-70GMII, and the 90 macro.

Lots of good lenses there 

[Joey-Austin]

Thank you @tonygale this is very helpful and cool

[tonygale]

Thank you @tonygale this is very helpful and cool

I'm glad it was helpful!

[CherSeattle]

This is incredibly helpful! Thank you!

[tonygale]

This is incredibly helpful! Thank you!

My pleasure, I'm glad to hear it