julia trotti | youtube photography tutorials
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50mm
This has got to be one of the cheapest autofocus lenses available for Canon DSLR cameras, I picked up mine used for about $30 USD. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a compact and affordable prime lens offering a wide aperture for low-light shooting and creative depth of field control aka bokeh! This is a great lens for beginners and gives a very budget friendly entry into DSLR photography. These are the photos I captured with it.
For this portrait session, I am using the Zeiss 50mm f1.4 on the Sony A7 IV, capturing backlit images on the beach during golden hour. The combination of the lens’s wide aperture and the warm, soft light of the setting sun helped create intimate, glowing portraits with beautiful light falloff and natural skin tones.
I am comparing the Zeiss 50mm f1.4 vs Zeiss 55mm f1.8 at a real-world portrait photoshoot. I share various different side by side photo comparisons at 100% crop, so you can see all the details.
Using vintage lenses is a fun way to capture interesting images. For this portrait photoshoot I am using the Sony A7IV with the 7 element Super Takumar 50mm f1.4. To be able to use this lens on my Sony A7IV, I am using an M42 to Sony FE adaptor. This particular Super Takumar is quite yellowed. It caused a mixture of results on the day.
The Sony A7RV is a full frame, 61 megapixel camera for stills and video. The A7RV weighs 723g, almost as heavy as the flagship Sony A1 which weighs 736g. The Sony A7RV received a huge overhaul to Sony's well known eye AF. The A7RV now uses an AI processing unit to improve the camera's subject recognition capabilities. The new AI processing unit allows the A7RV to have better accuracy with autofocus and more variety in autofocus subjects. These autofocus subjects include humans, animals, birds, insects, trains, planes and cars. Watch my Sony A7RV real world review video below. I share real time human, animal and insect subject recognition examples in stills and video.
The Samyang AF 50mm f1.4 FE II is a compact and lightweight prime lens for Sony mirrorless cameras. Watch my complete photo and video review video below to see how this camera performs out in the field at a portrait photoshoot.
If you can only afford one prime lens, make sure this is the one you get! The 50mm focal length is a versatile prime for portrait photography, making it a great solo lens in your camera bag. I share 5 easy composition tips for portrait photography when using a 50mm lens.
The Canon RF 50mm f1.2 and Sony Zeiss 50mm f1.4 are two flagship, high-end 50mm lenses. In this comparison we are going to be putting both lenses head to head in a real world setting. I am using the RF 50mm f1.2 on the Canon ROS R5. And the Zeiss 50mm f1.4 is being used on the Sony A7III.
The Sony A7R4 is a 61MP, full frame mirrorless camera. I am using the Zeiss 50mm f1.4 lens for this portrait photoshoot. It’s been a long time since I’ve done a portrait photoshoot on a 50mm lens.
On one of the hottest days of 2020, I hosted a natural light portrait photography workshop with Fujifilm Australia and George's Cameras. It was so much fun getting to meet everyone who attended and to share my tips when it comes to capturing portraits.
The Zeiss 55mm f1.8 is a budget-friendly prime lens which I am using on the full frame Sony A7C camera body. In this behind the scenes video, I share with you my composition tips and how I direct my subject for portraits with a 55mm.
The XF 50mm f1.0 is a Fujifilm prime lens rendering sharp and dreamy looks for portrait photography. I am using the XF 50mm f1.0 on the Fujifilm X-T4 which has an X-trans APSC sensor. This 50mm is the full frame equivalent to around 76mm.
The GM 50mm f1.2 is Sony's latest premium prime lens delivering extremely sharp images. I use the GM 50mm f1.2 for portrait photography on the Sony A7III and Sony A7C. Download high res sample images.
I’m testing out and reviewing the Canon R5 and RF 50mm f1.2. Here are some images I took from my real world review video of the camera which you can watch down below to see how the eye AF performance and accuracy works, image quality with my unedited 100% crops, 4K and 8K video performance and low light capabilities. I also used the Canon EOS R5 with both and RF and EF lenses.
In today’s photoshoot we are comparing the 35mm and 50mm to see the pros and cons of each focal length when it comes to portrait photography. This is my (for now) last instalment of this series as I have now compared 35 vs 50, 50 vs 85 and 85 vs 135 - so if you want to see more please let me know what 2 focal lengths you’d like to see me compare next! These are all the final photos from our photoshoot edited with my Aspen Lightroom Preset, watch the video to see the behind the scenes of our photoshoot + hear all my thoughts on the comparison of these 2 lenses!
I have a whole series comparing prime lenses and focal lengths, you can check them all out here:
24mm vs 35mm vs 50mm vs 85mm vs 135mm on a full frame camera
24mm vs 35mm vs 50mm vs 85mm vs 135 on a crop frame camera
Gear used:
model shanice
makeup lidija j
video dan @ i make films
All photos edited with my Aspen Lightroom Preset Pack!
The gear links listed above are affiliate links, so they help me out as a creator and don’t cost you anything extra!
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35mm // 35mm cropped in // 50mm
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In today’s photoshoot we are comparing the 50mm vs 85mm for portrait photography. Below are the photos I took on each of the lenses to test out a few factors that are important when photographing portraits such as the compression when it comes to full body, mid body and close up shots, any distortion in extreme closeups, lens flares, CA with backlighting and harsh sunlight.
Lenses
Body
Canon 5D mkiv for both lenses
model madeline
makeup lidija j
I have a whole series comparing prime lenses and focal lengths, you can check them all out here:
24mm vs 35mm vs 50mm vs 85mm vs 135mm on a full frame camera
24mm vs 35mm vs 50mm vs 85mm vs 135 on a crop frame camera
This blog was put together with Narrative. I love using Narrative as part of my photoshoot culling process to see which images from a shoot I should edit and I also use it to easily & quickly be able to put together these blog posts with different layouts of images side by side. I’m really excited to say I’ve teamed up with Narrative and have a 15% discount code for you guys using the code julia15 or just clicking this link! You can download a free trial to test it out for 7 days too :) And the gear links listed above are affiliate links, so they help me out as a creator and don’t cost you anything extra
Watch the video below to see the behind the scenes from our photoshoot as well as hearing my thoughts on both these lenses! Please subscribe to my channel if you haven’t already, I upload a new video every single Wednesday.
All photos edited with my San Francisco Lightroom Preset!
top 50mm // bottom 85mm
50mm // 85mm
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top 50mm // bottom 85mm
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50mm // 85mm (there wasn’t enough space in our location to capture a landscape version on the 85mm)
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50mm // 85mm (again, there wasn’t enough space in our location to capture a full body landscape shot on the 85)
top 50mm // bottom 85mm
50mm // 50mm (just wanted to get a few extra creative shots on the 50 in this location!)
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All photos edited with my San Francisco Lightroom Preset!
The 24mm vs 35mm vs 50mm vs 85mm vs 135mm are common prime lenses for portrait photographers. During this photoshoot, we are comparing ALL my prime lenses side by side. I am using the Canon 5D mkiv, a full frame camera body for this test. The exact lenses we have include:
on the Canon 5D mark iv
If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure on what should be your next prime lens, then this comparison of all my prime lenses is just for you! I will be taking photos with each lens: 24mm vs 35mm vs 50mm vs 85mm vs 135mm in a few different scenarios.
The first comparison will be with the model and I standing in one spot. You will be able to see the difference each focal length makes when it comes to background compression, bokeh, distortion and how it changes the look of someone's face and body.
During the next comparisons, I will be moving around to frame each focal length to look as similar as possible. First we will shoot a landscape, mid length portrait with each lens. Finally, we have a closeup headshot focal length comparison. Here, the difference in background compression is extremely noticeable. Not only that, but it's interesting to see how each focal length changes the shape of someone's face!
Focal length choice with prime lenses can either be a stylistic or technical choice. An 85mm is classified as the perfect portrait lens, as it's flattering for closeup portraits and has great background to foreground separation. I personally like to use a more “unconventional” lens for my portraits - a 35mm. I love the distortion it creates and how you can see more of the location that we’re shooting in. In this case, using a 35mm for portrait photography is a stylistic choice.
If you were to choose a prime lens for a technical reason there are 2 (among many other) simple reasons you could choose one lens over the other. I used to work as a retoucher and photographer at a headshot studio. I learnt from the photographer who owns the studio that people have different face shapes and features - well, duh! But depending on their features, can be a reason to choose a particular focal length.
For example, if someone has a wider face, I would opt for taking portraits on a wider angle prime lens like a 50mm. I personally have a wider face and always find I prefer portraits of myself taken on a 35mm or 50mm rather than an 85mm. If someone has a smaller face with features closer together, I would choose to use a telephoto prime such as the 85 or 135. Having a longer lens compresses the photo and flattens out a face more in a photo.
Another easy reason to choose a focal length is your location. If you have an amazing location you want to incorporate into your photo, then a wide lens like the 35mm could be a good choice. If you are in a busy location, then a lens with more compression such as the 135mm could come in more handy. A telephoto lens will throw the background out of focus and help your subject stand out in your portrait.
Watch the video below to hear my thoughts on each of these focal lengths! I share each of the comparisons side by side throughout the video to help you decide which prime lens is right for you.
I also have a more detailed series of photos + videos where I compare only 2 focal lengths together so you can see even more examples with different portrait and location combinations. You can see those all here:
24mm vs 35mm vs 50mm vs 85mm vs 135mm on a crop frame camera
Please subscribe to my YouTube channel, I upload a new video every week.
All photos are edited with my Aspen Lightroom Preset!
To make it easier to compare what each focal length looks like, please select which 2 lenses you want to compare below.
Photographer + model standing in one spot:
Full body with photographer moving around to fill the frame:
Mid length portrait with photographer moving around to fill the frame:
Close up portrait with photographer moving around to fill the frame:
Let me know what you think of the lenses in the comments of the video, would love to know which ones you guys prefer, what you like to use the most, etc!
All photos edited with my Aspen Lightroom Preset to give the photos a natural look so they are easier to compare when they are all colour graded the same.
if you enjoyed this video, I have also compared all my prime lenses on a crop frame camera!
During today’s golden hour portrait photoshoot, I wanted to try the Canon 50mm f1.2 L portrait lens adapted to the Sony A7III. I am using the Metabones 4 adaptor, updated to the latest firmware. In the video I share with you the eye AF performance and autofocus accuracy of what it’s like shooting with Canon lenses adapted to Sony. I also share SOOC photos for you to have a look at the image quality as well. Please subscribe to my channel, I upload new photography tutorials every single week!
model mitzi @ priscillas
jewellery ruusk
video dan @ i make films
camera sony a7iii
lens canon 50mm f1.2L
All photos edited with my London Lightroom Preset!
Watch the behind the scenes of our photoshoot below:
model jasmine @ vivien's
hair & makeup lidija j
film dan @ i make films
photography julia trotti
Watch the behind the scenes below! A tutorial on how to work with mundane locations to take amazing portraits. And please subscribe to my channel! I release 2 new videos a week.
All photos edited with my Amalfi Lightroom Preset Pack!
