85, 50, or 35mm to put on D7000 for portrait

ndwgolf

ndwgolf

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Neil Williams
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Guys,
I have a new D7000 with a 18/200 lens......I love them both but I want to get a nice lens for taking portrait pictures inside and outside the home. I was thinking about getting the 85 f1.4 but i was told I would be better off with either the 50 mm or 35 mm also f1.4.......What do you think??

Please note I am a complete learner at photography but really enjoy it and trying hard to get better
 
I would say the 50mm 1.4g would be good for you on the cropped sensor body. Not too expensive, nice bokeh. But to be honest the older 50mm 1.4d was a lovely lens!
I may be selling my 50mm 1.4g soon. keep an eye out..


Kev.
 
kevshore said:
I would say the 50mm 1.4g would be good for you on the cropped sensor body. Not too expensive, nice bokeh. But to be honest the older 50mm 1.4d was a lovely lens!
I may be selling my 50mm 1.4g soon. keep an eye out..


Kev.
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Thanks,
Since looking at some other pictures on this forum I also want to get a Macro lens as well, living in Malaysia there are just so much wildlife here (the small type)
 
I used to use the 105mm on my D80/D300 a few years ago. Nice lens.

Kev.
 
Just an idea but if you look at the exif you will be able to see what focal lengths you use most on your 18/200 then you will have an idea of what length prime you need.
 
It's all the info on your shot.

You'll see it if you do a right click on an image and select "properties" and then "details." Everything will be there... aperture, shutter speed, ISO...

You may also see all the data if you're using a post capture processing package like Photoshop but how you call it up will vary with what package you use.
 
You might be able to kill two birds with one stone here, if you want a lens for portraiture and macro work. Get the Nikon 60mm f/2.8 AF-S Micro. The 60mm equates to ~90mm in 35mm focal length, near enough to what most people find comfortable for portrait photography, and it is a micro lens so you can use it for the macro work (macro = micro, Nikon product names).

Most macro lenses work fine, or even very well as portrait lenses.
 
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freecom2 said:
You might be able to kill two birds with one stone here, if you want a lens for portraiture and macro work. Get the Nikon 60mm f/2.8 AF-S Micro. The 60mm equates to ~90mm in 35mm focal length, near enough to what most people find comfortable for portrait photography, and it is a micro lens so you can use it for the macro work (macro = micro, Nikon product names).

Most macro lenses work fine, or even very well as portrait lenses.
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How do they compare price wise??
 
ndwgolf said:
How do they compare price wise??
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I don't mean to be rude, but why don't you find out yourself? I don't know lens prices in ringgit, and a 2 second google.SPAM search will tell you current prices. You are also more likely to be able to find out about the local market, head towards your local Nikon dealer, test the water and see if discounts and haggling is the norm for lenses, stuff that I can't do.
 
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You have the 18-200 so set it at 35, 50 and 85 ans see what the results are like. Which ever fills the frame the way you want will be the lens you are looking for.

Then if you are still unsure/unwilling to part with a fair amount of dosh, try looking at lenses for hire or similar company, and borrow the lens for a few days / weekend.

If you can afford and if the prices aren't too bad, try all the lens you want so you can compare the results.

Personally I'd be looking at the 35mm nikon f1.8 or 30mm sigma f1.4.
I have the 50mm f1.4d and although its very nice I find I need to move back too much.

I also got the m42 adapter to allow older screw lenses. Manual focus, and have a 28mm f2.5 that I like. Examples are in the link in the flickr, check the sets. There are some examples of 28mm and 50mm and the 30mm (although sigma copy was not good and only focussed properly every so often - the results were still great).
 
ecniv said:
I also got the m42 adapter to allow older screw lenses.
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Does that have a corrective glass element? How much does that affect the light gathering capabilities and does it add a slight teleconverter effect?

I think, in addition, use EXIF data to help you decide - see what focal length you most commonly shoot with. There's no point buying a 35/50mm if it turns out you are always at 85mm, and vice versa.
 
freecom2 said:
I don't mean to be rude, but why don't you find out yourself? I don't know lens prices in ringgit, and a 2 second google.SPAM search will tell you current prices. You are also more likely to be able to find out about the local market, head towards your local Nikon dealer, test the water and see if discounts and haggling is the norm for lenses, stuff that I can't do.
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Thanks for your help
 
I have been using Nikon 105mm-f2-defocus-image-control for portrait. I am very very happy with what I got. If your budget was not a big deal.Buy it.It worth every penny.
 
freecom2 said:
Does that have a corrective glass element? How much does that affect the light gathering capabilities and does it add a slight teleconverter effect?

I think, in addition, use EXIF data to help you decide - see what focal length you most commonly shoot with. There's no point buying a 35/50mm if it turns out you are always at 85mm, and vice versa.
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Yeah there is a glass element (handy when swapping betwen m42 lenses as it seals the camera ;) )
Not noticed any problems with light and no teleconvertor effect (its only 3mm thick... welll maybe 2mm...)

M42 adapter Think this is the one I got...
 
The 85 is my favourite lens. It truly is amazing :) And you can get further back than the other two lenses, which you might like to be less "in the face" of the subject. But all depends on your style as I'm sure the other two lenses will let you produce great images too
 
I think I'd go for the 50 as well, if you don't like it you'll be able to sell it for what you bought it for and its really versatile. The other 2 lenses (the 35 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.4) will also cost you atleast £1,400 which seems alot for something you are just starting out in
 
the 85mm AF-D f/1.4 doesn't cost £1.4K - closer to £700 I think - and it's a great portrait lens - if by portrait you mean H&S shots.
 
awp said:
the 85mm AF-D f/1.4 doesn't cost £1.4K - closer to £700 I think - and it's a great portrait lens - if by portrait you mean H&S shots.
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ok - I made the assumption that if people are recommending those sort of lenses to a beginner they'd be recommending the latest and greatest, my point still stands though. They are still an expensive recommendation for someone just starting out. BTW cheapest on CPB for the D is £829
 
Ok - I hadn't checked - I agree though - he has all the focal lengths he needs already - just use the 18-200 till you find out what you need. At the moment it's a want - not a need I think.
 
awp said:
Ok - I hadn't checked - I agree though - he has all the focal lengths he needs already - just use the 18-200 till you find out what you need. At the moment it's a want - not a need I think.
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Your a 100% correct its a want not a need................. but like a spoiled brat that I am when I want something I go and get it, so when I arrive home on Thursday I will go and get the 50mm f1.4G and be done with it.
I will also post pictures of what I have taken and fingers crossed you will all like them :):)
 
what price are the len's over in kl migh be worth buying there if there are good savings ????
being a fellow jock don't wan't to spend a penny the wrong way :lol::lol::lol:

cheers grahame
 
OK guy's I made my mind up and went for the 50mm f1.4G and below are the first EVER portrait pictures I have ever taken in my life. And even if I say so myself they look pretty dam good for a complete novice......it helps having a beautiful wife:love::lol::love:
dsc0362zl.jpg

http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/3475/dsc0367so.jpg
Heading to the beach on Sunday so will try my luck at some outside shots then.
 
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these are nice - just watch the framing and loose the dead space at the top.
 
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