Help pick a portrait lens for the holiday

You can shoot portraits at just about any focal length, but for me, the game starts at 70mm, with 85-135 being my sweet spot. Especially if you are going to be taking intimate head and shoulder shots, the longer focal lengths will be key. 50mm would be a bit too wide on FX, IMO, and give you some of the distortion that is seldom flattering on your subjects.

This is a matter of preference, though. I recommend you try different focal lengths with your 24-85 to see which length gives you the portraits you want. If you're like me, you'll end up liking and using the 70-85 length most of the time. If so, the 85 f1.8 would be a nice option for you.

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://imagesbyeduardo.com/blog1/banner4.png
Home page: http://imagesbyeduardo.com
Story-telling: http://imagesbyeduardo.com/main/wedding-photography-los-angeles-story-telling/

Of the lenses you listed, I'd pick either the Sigma f/1.4 or the Nikon 85 f/1.8g.  I really like the bokeh from the Sigma 50, but 50mm is rather short for a portrait lens on FX.  I tend to use it on DX.  I don't own the 85 f/1.8g, but it gets rave reviews these days and the web photos I've seen from it are very nice.

Seems to me that either would be a good pick, assuming that you pick the one best suited to your style of portrait shooting.

Kerry

--
my gallery of so-so photos
http://www.pbase.com/kerrypierce/root

The 85 is a nicer range for headshots the fifty more versatile the 1.8 more economical the 1.4 especially the sigma better bokeh the 1.8 in the 50 and especially in the 85 has poor IMO bokeh.

So bang for buck 50 1.8 but the 50 1.4 would be my choice

Thanks eNo! I do use more on 50 - 85 so your input is really nice!

Thanks Kerry! Your point echoes eNo's so I will take it seriously.

If you're speaking of "head and shoulders" portraits I wouldn't suggest anything shorter that the 85mm and might even suggest something longer (zoom). I normally use the 105mm f/2.8 or the 70-200mm f/2.8 for portraits. 50mm is much too short for head and shoulders portraits IMHO.

--
Jim Jeter
Aliso Viejo, CA
http://www.pbase.com/jim_jeter/root

Thanks Novens2! Your input is really appreciated!

another vote for 85, other choices are just too short

Thanks very much James! Yes "head and shoulders" portraits is what I meant.

Thanks Egk. Your vote just counts. Can't wait to get it now...

Nikkor 85 f/1.8

With a head shot, the perspective distortion from a lens wider that 85mm can make the nose look too large. Longer lenses will tend to flatten the perspective and the face will appear closer to what we expect. Traditionally, 85mm to 135mm have been considered the best range for head shots on FX (35mm film) with 105mm the sweet spot.

--
Robin Casady
http://www.robincasady.com/Photo/index.html

--
Regards,
Patrick
My Photography Gallery
http://www.facebook.com/CsLeePhotography

Thanks hypercore!

They are too short for tight portraits, even the 85 f1.8 You'll end up taking pictures too close from the subject.

The ideal focal length is something quite subjective and you won't get a consensus. But I'd rather err on the side of using a longer lens than needed than the other way around. YMMV.

This being said, the choice may be limited for your budget. How about this one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/330643-USA/Tamron_AF272NII_700_SP_AF90mm_f_2_8_Di.html

--
Thierry

Hi Thierry,

You raised a very good point! My bottom line question is: How different is 90mm f/2.8 vs. 85mm/1.8?

When I was hunting, "Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens" was also within my radar. Among many good reviews for 105mm at Amazon, S. L. Miller commented that Nikon 105mm "still catching up to the Tamron 90", see:

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1ACFNNDABL4M5/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R1ACFNNDABL4M5

I then took a quick on Tamron  90mm f/2.8, but I thought 90mm was about the same as 85mm, so I left out Tamron  90mm f/2.8 from my list.

Is Tamron 90mm f/2.8 better than Nikkor 85mm/1.8?

Further, why f/2.8 is always more expensive than f/1.8?

I own the D600 and both the Nikon 50 1.8g and the 85 1.8g and I would suggest the 85 1.8g its perfect for portraits, sharp and great bokeh, I have barely taken it off my camera since I bought it.

--
- Julie
"We don't remember days, we remember moments"..