Portrait Lens for Nikon Digital

[KPM]

February 8, 2007 at 3:51 pm

I’m looking to get a portrait lens for my Nikons.

I had been using a 105mm F2.8 micro on my F5 with satisfactory (not outstanding) results, but have found that this does not suit the D200 as I have to stand too far back (152mm).

At the moment I am looking at the 50mm 1.4 or 1.8, both of which seem to be excellent and would suit the digital sensor, but I am also looking at the 85mm 1.8 (would love the 1.4 but the budget just won’t stretch).

I have a couple of important portrait jobs coming up over the next couple of months, as well as a raft of communion/confirmation shots so I want to ensure the highest possible quality, but can’t stretch the budget too far.

Anyone got any suggestions / thoughts on the lenses above, or indeed any alternatives that I might not have looked at yet ?

Thanks & regards

Kevin

[Expresbro]

February 8, 2007 at 4:30 pm

I know there are a couple of threads here on the greatness of the 50mm 1.8 Lens, and I’ve seen some fantastic portrait shots from Ciaran using it. I don’t really know anything about portrait photography, but I know that lens is meant to be excellent AND cheap…which can’t be bad. Apparently it may even be better than the 1.4 sharpness wise, but is plastic whereas the 1.4 is metal.

Not sure if that is any help… :D

Robbie
8)

[IOP]

February 8, 2007 at 5:22 pm

Whatever lens you choose, you need a final focal length of around 100mm with the crop factor built in. The reason for this is that a lens with a shorter focal length suffers from distortion, particularly if you have to get in close for a head and shoulders shot.

The reason the 105mm lens you have exists in the first place is that it was designed as a Portrait Lens first and a Macro Lens second. There’s a thread on DP Review here: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=21827621 about Portrait Lenses for Nikon dSLR’s

Dave

[Mark]

February 8, 2007 at 5:41 pm

The 50mm 1.8 is a superb lens at a great price. Very sharp, can’t go wrong with it in my opinion.

[KPM]

February 8, 2007 at 8:18 pm

Thanks to all for the feedback.
I have been offered an 85mm 1.8 for 250 and it seems to be in great condition, will probably go with this along with the 50mm 1.8 so I can cover all eventualities. The 85 when I have a bit of room and the 50 for when I am constrained.

Thanks again.

Rgds

Kevin