As a professional portrait photographer and Sony Artisan, Miguel Quiles is often asked if he could only use one Sony lens for studio portrait photography, which would it be? Over the years he’s had the chance to use many, and you might be surprised at his number one choice. Watch the video below and keep reading to see why Quiles says he would choose the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II paired with the Sony Alpha 7R V if he could only use one lens for studio portraits. Subscribe to the Alpha Universe YouTube Channel for more.
Find out why this pro would go with a surprising G Master tele-zoom if he could only use one lens for studio portraits.
“For over a decade, I’ve dedicated myself to the art and craft of studio portraiture,” Quiles explains. “I’ve been fortunate in that time to use several amazing lenses for my portrait work, including the 135mm G Master lens which is amazing not only for studio portraits but for location work as well. Recently the new 50mm f/1.4 G Master lens has amazed me with its lightweight and compact size, along with some next-level sharpness.”
While he loves to use these two primes, if he could only choose ONE lens for studio portraiture, he says he would need something more versatile. How does he know what to choose? He takes a look at the most common focal lengths you would run into when working in a studio-style environment. For him, that ends up being between 85mm to 200mm because he finds those longer focal lengths flattering on the human face and form. That’s why he would choose the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II as his favorite studio portrait lens.
“What makes this Sony lens so special,” he says, “is that it not only has those focal lengths that work great for studio portrait photography, but it’s shockingly light. Now if you pair those things up with the fact that the lens gives you that next-level sharpness and detail at pretty much any focal length, it’s no surprise that this would be my top pick for my most important studio photography lens in my kit.”
Pair the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II with a camera like the Sony Alpha 7R V as Quiles does in the video, and you have everything you need for high-resolution portraits. “It’s truly unfair how good this combo is. It’s like you’re playing a video game with all of the upgrades unlocked with infinite help.”
Quiles has built his life and career around portrait photography and just like any other artist or technician, he says you can’t have just one tool that works for every job. “There are going to be situations where you need a specific lens and the features that it offers you at that time. One of those lenses that I can’t live without is the Sony 90mm f/2.8 G Macro which gives you unmatched sharpness that will give you portrait work that high-definition look.” Learn more about when Quiles reaches for the macro lens for portraits HERE.
See more videos like this one on the Alpha Universe YouTube Channel.
