User Tag List

Thanks useful information Thanks useful information:  1
Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Best portraiture lens for DX?

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    19 Dec 2010
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    68
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Best portraiture lens for DX?

    Hi chaps, I'm after your informed opinions once again. Lets say that I were to hypothetically pick up a D7000, what in your opinions would be the best lens one could use for portraiture with this cam?

    Would the 24-70mm f2.8 be the best option as it would be on a FF body, or is there a DX equivalent in the Nikon or other brand's lineup (say a high quality 18-55mm) that I haven't yet come across?

  2. #2
    Moderately Underexposed
    Join Date
    04 May 2007
    Location
    Marlo, Far East Gippsland
    Posts
    4,902
    Mentioned
    3 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I would advise against a zoom lens for portraits ( either head and shoulders or full length ) and suggest that you look at a couple of prime lenses instead.

    Have a think about the 35mm F/1.8, the 50mm F/1.4 and an 85mm F/1.8 or 1.4 depending on the style of portraiture that you want to do.
    Andrew
    Nikon, Fuji, Nikkor, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina and too many other bits and pieces to list.



  3. #3
    Member
    Threadstarter

    Join Date
    19 Dec 2010
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    68
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Interesting, I hadn't even considered the option of primes. I guess they're more cost effective and possibly may even produce a sharper image at that focal length than a high quality zoom.

  4. #4
    Moderately Underexposed
    Join Date
    04 May 2007
    Location
    Marlo, Far East Gippsland
    Posts
    4,902
    Mentioned
    3 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    $ wise you can still spend obscene amounts of money on top quality prime lenses.
    Prime lenses no longer offer a clear cut image quality advantage over zoom lenses the way they once may have and certainly something like the 24-70 Nikkor will rival just about every equivalent prime Nikkor lens in those focal ranges but the prime lenses will give you ( generally ) a wider maximum aperture to help with blurring out backgrounds, aid low light focussing and lower ISO ability.
    The other point about prime lenses is that they make you slow down and consider your composition more carefully by making you "zoom with your feet" and adopt different angles rather than staying in one place and simply twisting the zoom ring.

  5. #5
    Member
    Join Date
    18 Aug 2010
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    91
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I guess where you shoot will play a part too. I have a thing for primes (I have the 24mm, the 50mm and the 105mm macro). They all have their uses - the 24mm for indoors and other tight spaces, the 50mm can sometimes still be used indoors and is great for low light situations (I shoot weddings so it's good for dark churches) and the 105mm gives me tack sharp images but needs the space. However, I have friends that swear by the 24-70 and use it constantly.

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    25 Jul 2007
    Location
    Central Coast
    Posts
    771
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I would happily recommend the 85mm f1.8. I have used it on my D300 and D80 and have been happy with the results. If you got $$$ to burn get the 85mm f1.4.
    A heap of Nikon stuff and some really bright lights!

  7. #7
    Member
    Join Date
    23 Mar 2010
    Location
    Northmead
    Posts
    67
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I use a sigma 30mm f1.4 and love it, but for portraits, the sigma 50mm f1.4. Under $500 and stupid fast
    I don't mean to sound bitter, cold or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out - Bill Hicks

  8. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    12 Feb 2008
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    7,830
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    You can use any lens for portraits, it really depends on what sort of portraits and where you are taking them , ie lighting and distance to subject

    I regularly use my 24-70, I think it's a fantastic portrait lens, so is my 70-200 and so is my 50 1.4

    I used to have a 85 1.4 which was fantastic for studio head & shoulders work etc

    So, look at what sort of portraits before what lens
    Darren
    Gear : Nikon Goodness
    Website : http://www.peakactionimages.com
    Please support Precious Hearts
    Constructive Critique of my images always appreciated

  9. #9
    Member
    Join Date
    08 May 2010
    Location
    Nanuet, New York
    Posts
    639
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    While Primes are fantastic, remember it also means you have more to carry, and will be changing the lens alot more. If you are in situations which require fast and dynamic adjustment and limited space to adjust your actual position then a whole swathe of primes is probably not going to be the answer. If you have time then its probably not going to be a problem.

    I currently use a 24-70 (which ends up being used like 4 different primes....a 24, a 35, a 50 and sometimes a 70...I don't intentionally do it but it seems I am naturally drawn to those focal lengths, but the quick adjustment is invaluable in situations where I have to change length rapidly...like key moments in a wedding when I am close to the altar), have a 50 1.8 (which eventually will be a 1.4), and a 105 2.8 Macro. If I really want to go tight a 70-300 VR does the job. But Kiwi is right. It depends on the situation...if I was in a studio an 85 1.4 would be great.

    The other thing is by the time you buy a 24 F1.4, 35 F1.4, 50 F1.4, 85 F1.4 and a 105 2.8 your wallet is going to be considerably lighter...quality primes are great, but again its specific conditions that you might want those (the bokeh, DOF, to make you think more about your composition, allows lower light usage). Really need to be more specific to go any further than that.
    John
    Nikon D800, D700, Nikkor 14-24 F2.8, 24-70mm F2.8, 50mm F1.8D, 70-200mm F2.8 VRII, Manfrotto 190XB with Q5 PM Head,
    SB-900,600, portable strobist setup & Editing on an Alienware M14x with LR4 and CS5 and a Samsung XL2370 Monitor.

    Stormchasing isn't a hobby...its an obsession.
    For my gallery and photography: www.emanatephotography.com

  10. #10
    Member
    Threadstarter

    Join Date
    19 Dec 2010
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    68
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Thanks for the info guys. Whilst I don't particularly want to be lugging around a set of primes for every occasion, I've also decided that I'm not quite ready to drop ~$2k on a 24-70mm. So with this in mind, I went out and bought a 35mm f1.8 and an 50mm f1.8 prime today. The plan is to use these to shoot portraits for a couple of months whilst I decide if it's going to be worth spending some big bucks on the nice fast zoom lens. If I do end up buying the 24-70, the primes will also be used on holidays and for street shooting I guess.

    Have a Merry Christmas all and thanks again for the advice!

  11. #11
    Member
    Join Date
    08 May 2010
    Location
    Nanuet, New York
    Posts
    639
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Good choice in both of those lenses. The 24-70 is a big step and you really want to have the need before taking it. The 50 F1.8 is a great lens, and my favourite choice for the lens I whack on my camera when I can't be bothered to cart the rest (unless I am in a wide mood)...the 50 is also fantastic in how it isn't particularly conspicious as well. Even if you get a 24-70 you will probably still find yourself using it, especially if you shoot low light. The 35 F1.8 is something I really like but haven't had that much of a chance to play with as I don't really want a dedicated DX lens. In terms of coping with the crop factor the focal length is much closer to what we see with the human eye and so will be very enjoyable from that point of view.

    Good luck and have fun with them...either way the lenses will take photos, and provided you get the key ingredients of photography right probably good ones.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •