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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> look for a good portrait lens
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 01/10/2007 08:13:18 PM · #1


I am looking for a nikon 85mm 1.8 lens or any other good portrait lens for shooting models.
 01/10/2007 08:14:51 PM · #2
That's a good lens for portraits.

Are you asking for suggestions on lenses or is this a WTB thread?
 01/10/2007 08:16:31 PM · #3
suggestions for a purchase one, dude.
 01/10/2007 08:28:59 PM · #4
I heard a nice 100mm 2.8 or various macros might be good for portraits as well as insects and flowers.
 01/10/2007 08:31:42 PM · #5
sorry to chime in with a question about portrait-suitable lens, but isn't 85mm a little too long, focal wise? Couple that with a 1.6 crop factor, we'd be looking at 136mm, so woulldn't that force the photographer to be standing very far away from the model to get a full body shot?
 01/10/2007 08:33:45 PM · #6
Originally posted by crayon:
sorry to chime in with a question about portrait-suitable lens, but isn't 85mm a little too long, focal wise? Couple that with a 1.6 crop factor, we'd be looking at 136mm, so woulldn't that force the photographer to be standing very far away from the model to get a full body shot?


True, but definitely good for head shots.
 01/10/2007 08:33:51 PM · #7
librodo uses a Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D for a lot of his portraits and well... you can't really argue with that - great lens.
 01/10/2007 09:48:33 PM · #8
Originally posted by crayon:
sorry to chime in with a question about portrait-suitable lens, but isn't 85mm a little too long, focal wise? Couple that with a 1.6 crop factor, we'd be looking at 136mm, so woulldn't that force the photographer to be standing very far away from the model to get a full body shot?


Definitely a long lens for indoor portrait shot but the perspective it gives of the model is very flattering.
 01/10/2007 10:51:56 PM · #9
tamron 90mm 2.8 macro makes a great portrait...


01/10/2007 11:04:24 PM · #10
Originally posted by nicklevy:
Originally posted by crayon:
sorry to chime in with a question about portrait-suitable lens, but isn't 85mm a little too long, focal wise? Couple that with a 1.6 crop factor, we'd be looking at 136mm, so woulldn't that force the photographer to be standing very far away from the model to get a full body shot?


Definitely a long lens for indoor portrait shot but the perspective it gives of the model is very flattering.


sorry, but do you mean the shallow DOF?
or do you mean things like distortion? thanks
 01/10/2007 11:32:18 PM · #11
Crayon, longer focal lengths compress features. A lot of photogs like the effect. Traditionally, portrait photogs used a 85-105mm on a full-frame (ie 35mm) camera for head and shoulder portraits.
01/10/2007 11:53:41 PM · #12
I'd suggest the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8... a very sharp, inexpensive lens that perfect for portraits at the longer end of its zoom range.



A 50mm f/1.8 prime is a great choice, too (but the Tamron obviously covers that).

01/11/2007 12:11:29 AM · #13
Originally posted by scalvert:
I'd suggest the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8...


A very good choice for both flexibility and quality.
01/11/2007 01:09:17 AM · #14
Originally posted by scalvert:


A 50mm f/1.8 prime is a great choice, too (but the Tamron obviously covers that).



Only the focal length tho, not the aperture.

I prefer primes for portraits because they're sharper and faster than zooms. Often, I also like to shoot them at f1.8, or f2.

Don't get me wrong, the Tamron 28-75 is a great lens, especially at the price, but I think that for most portraits, a prime is better.

Message edited by author 2007-01-11 01:14:41.
 01/13/2007 09:11:13 AM · #15
I really am seriously looking at the Nikkor 50 MM 1.8D as a new lens for my D50. I love the look of the work I've seen done here with that lens and the price is very good.

Can anyone tell me where I would most benefit from this lens as far as what it works best for? I shoot all kinds of things from facial closeups to wide angle nature work. Is it good for macro work?

Anything you can tell me about this lens's uses is most appreciated since I'm very new (uneducated)to lens uses and you are all so brilliant here.

TIA,
Maureen

01/13/2007 09:35:10 AM · #16
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Crayon, longer focal lengths compress features. A lot of photogs like the effect. Traditionally, portrait photogs used a 85-105mm on a full-frame (ie 35mm) camera for head and shoulder portraits.


Shouldn't that, technically, be 'greater subject distance', rather than 'longer focal lengths' ?
 01/13/2007 09:36:29 AM · #17
Originally posted by Maureen2:
Can anyone tell me where I would most benefit from this lens as far as what it works best for? I shoot all kinds of things from facial closeups to wide angle nature work. Is it good for macro work?


it is NOT a macro lens, so don't purchase it expecting that. i have the 50mm and love it, but most often i use it for setup-style situations (tabletop or portraits) where the subject is stationary and i can compose the shot.

i do take it as a "walk-around" lens on occasion, but you wouldn't be able to get much wide angle action out of it.

here are some of my faves with it:



01/13/2007 02:31:11 PM · #18
Originally posted by muckpond:
Originally posted by Maureen2:
Can anyone tell me where I would most benefit from this lens as far as what it works best for? I shoot all kinds of things from facial closeups to wide angle nature work. Is it good for macro work?


it is NOT a macro lens, so don't purchase it expecting that. i have the 50mm and love it, but most often i use it for setup-style situations (tabletop or portraits) where the subject is stationary and i can compose the shot.

i do take it as a "walk-around" lens on occasion, but you wouldn't be able to get much wide angle action out of it.

here are some of my faves with it:



Thank you, muckpond, your shots are terrific! It looks like a very good lens for the portrait shots I want to do.

Maureen :-)
 01/13/2007 05:00:43 PM · #19
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Crayon, longer focal lengths compress features. A lot of photogs like the effect. Traditionally, portrait photogs used a 85-105mm on a full-frame (ie 35mm) camera for head and shoulder portraits.

To be blunt but somewhat incomplete, if someone has a big nose, a longer lens (ie greater distance) minimizes it.
 01/14/2007 07:14:52 PM · #20


I leaning toward the............60mm because its good for portraits and macro. A reviewer said that its the same as the 50mm I got.
 01/14/2007 07:18:23 PM · #21
Originally posted by hankk:
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Crayon, longer focal lengths compress features. A lot of photogs like the effect. Traditionally, portrait photogs used a 85-105mm on a full-frame (ie 35mm) camera for head and shoulder portraits.

To be blunt but somewhat incomplete, if someone has a big nose, a longer lens (ie greater distance) minimizes it.


Correct. And yes, it's the greater distance that causes the compression.
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