- This topic is empty.
Portrait lens
-
looking for a lens to fit a nikon d5000 to take portraits. nikon have a 60mm 2.8 – would this be suitable? any suggestions? thanks in advance.
I was just over looking at a 60mm 2.8 Nikon lens at lunch time as I am interested in getting a macro. Its retailing for about €370. However I have a Nikkor 50mm 1.8 lens that I use for portraits which I got on ebay 2nd hand for a fraction of that price. The other advantage of it was that it has a phyical aperature ring which means its the perfect lens for using for extre macros with the bellows I purchased last week. (examples here http://www.skramshots.com/portfolio98107.html” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false; )
So I would recommend this lens over the 60mm as it would perfectly suit your needs. Here it is on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.ie/NEW-NIKON-50mm-f-1-8D-AF-Nikkor-LENS-f-1-8-D-50-mm-/380232981067?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraLensesFilters_JN&hash=item5887a6da4b” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
The 50mm 1.8D will not autofocus on the D5000, unfortunately. The AF-S 50mm and the Sigma 50mm HSM will, so if that is important, they’d be worth a look?
The 35mm f1.8G will autofocus and is very cheap, the only issue is you may have to get close to your subject, it may be discomforting for some, but if not, its a great lens for the price!
I second markst33 suggestion for a 1.8D as you really don’t need AF in a portrait lens. Aperture nice and open, you focus on the eyes, that’s it, right? Even an old 1.8 Series E would do nicely.
re: 60mm/f2.8 micro-Nikkor: very sharp, but not that great a portrait lens. The manual throw at the non-micro end is rather short, as with most macro lenses; thus harder to focus precisely manually at greater distances.
Other options are any of the longer lenses out there (eg 85/2, 105/2.5, the DCs, the 80-200/2.8 to name a few…..) as they don’t exaggrate facial features and allow you to isolate the subject from it’s surroundings effectively.Tamron 60mm f/2. Also a macro lens with motor. Manual lenses are difficult to focus with a viewfinder like in d5000.
Nikon AF-S 60mm f2.8 – very nice and sharp.
Samyang 84mm f/1.4 UMC version. It has a built in chip. Lens is with manual focus, but thanks to chip metering works and proper exif data are given. Lens is cheap and very good.For me, I found 50mm perfect on an aps-sensor dslr, as I found it gave me the perfect amount flexibility and working distance to allow indoor shooting as well as outdoor shooting. All to do with what you want to shoot. Portraits as a category take in more than just headshots, and typically comprise:
– environmental, often shot with 28- 35mm on film (18- 24mm on aps-sensor)
– full body, often shot with 35- 50mm on film (24- 35mm on aps-sensor)
– half-body, often shot with 50- 100mm on film (35- 70mm on aps-sensor)
– headshot, often shot with 100- 135mm on film (70- 85mm on aps-sensor)The 60mm would be the equivalent to what film shooters used an 85/ 90mm lens for, and is a nice focal length for portraits in my experience. Just beware that focal length is not everything, and you may find a macro lens gives a specific look which you may or may not like for portraits.
Damien
Very well explained Damien. Can’t write much more. I tried couple of times to use my 50mm f/1.8d nikon lense for head shots. We weren’t happy with results. Model had a big nose or balloon-like cheek. Half or full body shots are great. I think 60mm on DX/APS-C camera is a minimum focal lenght for head only portrait, but I’d recommend more (like 70-100mm).
Macro lenses may be too sharp for portrait, but it is easier to blur and lose details than to sharpen blurred photo. Macro lenses usually generate a nice bokeh.if you currently only have kit lens I would get the 50 1.4 G or the 35 1.8G as you will find it more versatile than the 60 2.8 or a longer lens. Both the 50 1.4 and 35 1.8 are great for available light.
The 50 1.4 is the lens I use most for people shots – I know the longer focal length would be better for portraits but the distance required between the photographer and the subject can be a problem with longer focal lengths
I have also just bought the 35 1.8G as I wanted to go a bit wider ( more environmental).
I would have a think about exactly what type of portraits you intend to before you invest and do a quick search on flicker for each of the lenses and see if you like what you see.
BTW I bought the 35 1.8 g from Birmingham’s cameras ordered on Friday in Cavan on Monday morning – dearer than the wed but worth it – you can negotiate on the delivery etc
P
Re Samyang 85mm 1.4 for Nikon
Has anyone experience using this lens?
Its a very interesting option at €300 for an 85 1.4.I know it is Manual focus, but thats not a bother for portrait work…..
Thanks
Steve
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
