Best Lens for Portrait

L

legg360

Messages
10
Name
darren
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi, im kinda new to photography and looking to get a lens good for portraits, I was looking at a 50mm prime f1.8 lens (clicky) will this do the job as it says its a FX lens and im using a D3200 it should give it a 75mm length.

I was also looking at a 35mm Prime f1.8 DX lens, it states in the description it 35mm equivalent is 52.5mm, does this mean on a D3200 it would be 35mm or 52.5mm length (clicky)

Just trying to get my head around the different lens and what it all means

Thanks
 
legg360 said:
Hi, im kinda new to photography and looking to get a lens good for portraits, I was looking at a 50mm prime f1.8 lens (clicky) will this do the job as it says its a FX lens and im using a D3200 it should give it a 75mm length.

I was also looking at a 35mm Prime f1.8 DX lens, it states in the description it 35mm equivalent is 52.5mm, does this mean on a D3200 it would be 35mm or 52.5mm length (clicky)

Just trying to get my head around the different lens and what it all means

Thanks
Click to expand...

Hi, on your camera the 50mm will be a 75mm and the 35mm will be 52mm both will work fine on your camera, the 50mm is the better portrait lens especially for head and shoulders shots. Do you have the kit lens? If you do set it to 35mm and 50mm to see which fov you like the best.
By the way i use a 35mm 1.8 to take portraits but have ordered a 50mm 1.7 just to try it out.

One of my 6 month old.
Sony a57, 35mm @5.6 1/60 iso 100. Bounce flash.
pp in lr4 sharpened,cropped etc

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16039423@N03/8648710499/in/photostream/
8648710499_74b9540ed9_b.jpg

8648709991_4ec243b40d_b.jpg
 
Last edited:
legg360 said:
Thanks for the reply, so the fact it says its a dx lens doesn't change anything?
Click to expand...

No just means it wont work on an fx (full frame) camera, yours is a dx (crop frame) camera so the lens is designed for your camera.
 
Last edited:
I think ill prob go for a 35mm as it gives a little more flexibility to include top half as well, if I do just want head and shoulders I can always stand a little closer. I can get a little confusing working out what all the numbers means but thanks for explain and clarifying those points
 
A 50mm or 85mm prime is ideal. Personally I think 35mm is a bit too short for portraiture, even on a crop camera.
 
munkee said:
That's very true. A 50mm is probably the safe choice.

OP you'd better buy now because two days ago that same lens was £169 on Amazon.
Click to expand...

WEX had it for £155 last week and it is the same now. If you quote WFD413 as a voucher code during checkout you get free next day delivery. I am not connected to WEX but I did buy that lens last week :)
 
I've always found the 50mm a little long when indoors. I use the 35mm more indoors but the 50 when I have more room.
 
legg360 said:
I think ill prob go for a 35mm as it gives a little more flexibility to include top half as well, if I do just want head and shoulders I can always stand a little closer. I can get a little confusing working out what all the numbers means but thanks for explain and clarifying those points
Click to expand...

Hi, The 35mm is too short for anything less than full length shots (of one person).

For head only or head & shoulder shots you would be too close to your subject to get the correct perspective when using this focal length.
If you were to move in close enough to fill the frame and focussed on the eyes (which is the right thing to focus on) you would virtually loose your subjects ears from the shot and the nose would look large.

The 50mm lens is the shortest focal length you should consider for head & shoulder portraits on DX format. Hope this helps.
 
rowey2507 said:
I've always found the 50mm a little long when indoors. I use the 35mm more indoors but the 50 when I have more room.
Click to expand...

Hi, thanks for all the replys, I think most of the time it would be indoors with not a lot of space. I would be nice to have both but unsure as different advice.

This might seem as a silly question but hey im new to all this and still learning, if you used a 35 to take a pic then stepped back and take the same pic with a 50 would they not be the same?

thanks
 
legg360 said:
Hi, thanks for all the replys, I think most of the time it would be indoors with not a lot of space. I would be nice to have both but unsure as different advice.

This might seem as a silly question but hey im new to all this and still learning, if you used a 35 to take a pic then stepped back and take the same pic with a 50 would they not be the same?

thanks
Click to expand...

I think as has been mentioned, the 50mm would be ideal for head and shoulders type shots but I had limited indoor space so after borrowing a 50 I opted to buy a 35 as I found it more useful in my environment. Finances willing, both would be nice.
 
legg360 said:
Hi, thanks for all the replys, I think most of the time it would be indoors with not a lot of space. I would be nice to have both but unsure as different advice.

This might seem as a silly question but hey im new to all this and still learning, if you used a 35 to take a pic then stepped back and take the same pic with a 50 would they not be the same?

thanks
Click to expand...

No they wouldn't as the perspective will change as you move relative to the subject.
 
The short answer is that you need the G version.

The long answer that the D and the G versions are both F mount lenses. Either one of them can be fitted to your D3200 or any other Nikon DSLR body. The G version is also an AF-S lens, which means that it has a built-in autofocus motor. The D version is an AF lens and relies on a motor in the camera body to autofocus. Nikon's entry level camera bodies don't have this motor. The D3200 doesn't have it. You could fit the D lens to your D3200 but you'd have to focus manually.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top