C H R I S T M A S
GIFT GUIDE
An iconic focal length that’s behind many
of the most iconic images, there’s a 50mm
f/1.8 lens available for every camera
system on the market, and it’s a welcome
addition to any portraitist’s kit bag.
The wide aperture is great for blurry
backgrounds and the focal length works
perfectly for both head shots and wider
environmental portraits in equal measure.
SONYα7R IV £3499
Master of innovation Sony
has outdone itself with this
full-frame CSC. Featuring a
mammoth 61MP BSI sensor,
5-axis image stabilisation and
solid ISO range of 100-32,000
for low-light working, there’s
also the renowned 567-point
autofocus with class-leading
Eye AF. It even houses an
Animal Eye AF mode for wil
and pet portraits. sony.co.u
SI GMA 135mm F/1.8
ART DG HSM £114 9
The pinnacle of portrait focal
lengths, the Sigma Art has
a wide f/1.8 aperture that makes
rendering dreamy bokeh and
blurry backgrounds well within
reach. It’s on the premium side,
but for the money it supplies
the ultra-sharp optics and
exceptional image quality
hat portrait pros will value.
igma-imaging-uk.comLAS
Reflectors are handy, but they can also
be cumbersome. Thanks to Lastolite,
the TriGrip offers a simple solution to
controlling light with an easy-to-use
handle. The smallest of three sizes, it’s
available in a range of colours, from silver
and white, to gold and sunfire, plus there’s
even a diffuser version – ideal for the
harsh sunlight. manfrotto.com/lastoliteSTOCKING
FILLERS
PRACTICALPHOTOGRAPHY.COM 115
PROGRADEV60 64GB
SDXC UHS-II£5 0
Pr oGrade’sultra-fastSD is just
theticketforheavy-going
portraitshoots.It offersup to
13 0MB/s write speeds, and the
large capacity makes it perfect
for high-resolution sensors.
progradedigital.comD A OLO S R
CHECKR 24 £45
This handy colour tool is one
of the best kept pro secrets on
the market, and is designed to
bring precise colour rendition in
every shot. It’s simple to use and
guarantees perfect skin tones
and colourful garments in every
shot. It’s a must-have for serious
enthusiasts. datacolor.comPHILIPS HUE
LIGHTSTRIP £70
At 2m long and with over 16
million colours at your disposal,
this mains-powered lightstrip is
ideal as a creative fill light to
inject a wealth of colours into
your portraits. philips.co.uk