whats the best portrait lens ..35mm 1.8 0r 50mm 2.8

[ford1]

got to get one of these but not sure which would be best for portraits ..im leaning towards the 35mm what are your thoughts

 

[freecom2]

50mm, I assume you mean f/1.8? The AF-D version won't autofocus on your D40x, so wait for the new AF-S version that will autofocus on it. The 35mm f/1.8 is a great lens, but it's a more general focal length really - you'd have to get quite close for a head+shoulders portrait, it equates to a similar focal length to the human eye so imagine how close you'd have to get and you get some idea...

purely on focal length alone, 50mm.

 

[Charlatan]

I personally prefer the 85/105mm lenses for portraiture but of your two choices definitely the 50mm. The 35 would bring you too far from the subject.

 

[strumstrum]

I personally prefer the 85/105mm lenses for portraiture but of your two choices definitely the 50mm. The 35 would bring you far too close to the subject.

yes thats what I found, 35mm on a cropped body was still a bit too short for portraits and definately too close for head n shoulders..

 

[ford1]

nice one thankyou for the replys ..50mm it is then..thankyou very much

 

[33L]

surely the original question is subjective to your style of photography. one person portrait lens is a 70-200mm, anothers is the 50mm. its really finding what works best for you and getting the best lens you cna afford.

 

[sep9001]

Have a look at http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=304887&page=2 #36 for a bit more info.

 

[awp]

It depends what you mean by a portrait! Do you mean a head shot - or half body - sometimes nice to show the subjects environment too - it's still a portrait but needs a wider lens. Anything from 35mm to 200mm+ works - just depends what you want to do. The short answer is you need them all!