Ideal lens for photographing tattoos

mattd85

mattd85

Messages
5,812
Name
Matt
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all,

A friend of mine who runs a tattoo studio is looking for the 'ideal' lens to take photographs of tattoos, he was looking at 85mm, he has a nikon d5000, any help appreciated, thanks

Matt
 
To be honest, there isn't one. It depends on too many factors...

Natural or assisted light?
Studio lights or strobes?
How much space is there in the shoot location?
Shooting indoors or out?
How large are that tats and the subject?
What perspective is wanted?

etc
etc
etc


ie: bit more info needed please! :)
 
DemiLion said:
To be honest, there isn't one. It depends on too many factors...

Natural or assisted light?
Studio lights or strobes?
How much space is there in the shoot location?
Shooting indoors or out?
How large are that tats and the subject?
What perspective is wanted?

etc
etc
etc

ie: bit more info needed please! :)
Click to expand...

There is some natural light and lights on the cieling, think those are tubes. The tattoo can vary In size from the lower arm to a whole back, I think what he wants to achieve is sharpness, and not using a flash.
 
ecniv said:
Something sharp I would have thought...

Possibly macro, but probably not required.

35mm f1.8 (for blurring the background/other parts)
60mm macro?

I've not tried, but could be interesting.
Click to expand...

I suggested a 50mm or 85mm, I will keep in mind and suggest those aswel
 
85mm maybe too long and minimum focus distance isnt great..how about the nikon 40mm macro?..probably wide enough for most and would also have the close up ability if needed for capturing fine detail .:shrug:
 
I would say a Nikon 50mm f/1.4G would do the trick? Relatively inexpensive and fast enough.
 
Cheers guys, I'm going to pop down tomorrow and go through it with him, maybe take my lens down.

Thanks again

Appreciated

Matt
 
You might be as well off with a macro lens as anything else. My 100 l macro has a focus limit switch for close ups of the little tats and switch it the other way to move back for the big ones, and at f2.8 it's great in low light for no flash. Or a 50 1.4 would do about as well TBH.
 
Last edited:
On FF I'd say a 50mm Macro, as that's what would have been used for copy work due to the great distortion control and flat field of view.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top