portrait lens

[ron morosey]

Can someone reccomend a portrait lens for one person shots, not large
groups. I'm shooting 35 mm nikon and my price range is 500 -1000.

thanks

 

[Benski]

This lens is a beauty to behold and shoot. When you view
your images later, you'll simply be amazed at the quality this
lens delivers - especially the bokeh.

Here's a shot taken with it: [ nikon d1x, nikkor 85 f/1.4 shot @ iso 125, f/14]
http://www.hyattphoto.com/gallery/photo.php?photo=81&lang=eng

--
. Ben

equipment list in .profile

 

[Michael in Atlanta]

While the 85 1.4 is a wonderful lens I would look seriously at the 85 1.8. You will loose 2/3 of a stop but the price difference is close to $500.00.

Also take a look at the 50 1.8 which can be had for under $100.00.

My absolute favorite lenses are the 105/135 F2. Either of them can be had used for under $800.00

Check for used at KEH.com

Hope I have given you too much info.

Michael

Can someone reccomend a portrait lens for one person shots, not large
groups. I'm shooting 35 mm nikon and my price range is 500 -1000.

thanks

 

[Patrick Love]

Can someone reccomend a portrait lens for one person shots, not large
groups. I'm shooting 35 mm nikon and my price range is 500 -1000.

thanks

 

[Windancer]

Can someone reccomend a portrait lens for one person shots, not large
groups. I'm shooting 35 mm nikon and my price range is 500 -1000.

Ron

I agree that either 85mm lens would be great. The 85/1.4 is beyond your price range, but the 85/1.8 would be a great choice.

BTW Benjamin, nice photograph.

Regards
Terry

Graham Fine Art Photography
http://www3.sk.sympatico.ca/grahter

http://www.reginaphotoclub.com/MemberGallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=tgraham
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PrairiePhoto/

 

[S_Leeper]

Can someone reccomend a portrait lens for one person shots, not large
groups. I'm shooting 35 mm nikon and my price range is 500 -1000.

Ron

I agree that either 85mm lens would be great. The 85/1.4 is beyond
your price range, but the 85/1.8 would be a great choice.

BTW Benjamin, nice photograph.

Regards
Terry

Graham Fine Art Photography
http://www3.sk.sympatico.ca/grahter

http://www.reginaphotoclub.com/MemberGallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=tgraham
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PrairiePhoto/

Actually the 85 f1.4 grey is within the range, even with a $100 filter, if purchased from B&H, grey market.

In addition to above mentioned 85's f1.4 & f1.8 also, consider 105dc which is about $750.

 

[Ching-Kuang Shene]

Can someone reccomend a portrait lens for one person shots, not large
groups. I'm shooting 35 mm nikon and my price range is 500 -1000.

85 F1.4 and 105 F2DC. But, which one is good for you actually depends on your shooting style. The 85 F1.4 may force you to get to the subject close, which could make your subject not very comfortable. The 105 F2 DC moves you back to a very comfortable distance. In fact, if I were you, I would use none of them. I would choose the good old MF 105mm F2.5 which is available on e-Bay for less than $300 used. The 105 F2.5 was one of the best portrait lenses in the good old MF days. It has all the characteristics to make portrait shoots good and smooth. In fact, some felt that the 85 F1.4 is too sharp for portraiture. By the way, MF is actually not a big issue because you have time to focus and refocus. I used all versions of the 105 F2.5 and then the 105 F2 DC for professional and casual shots. I owned a 85 F1.4 some years ago; but, I sold it because IMO it is too sharp for portraiture.

CK

 

[Jurjen_S]

The 85/1.8 is cheap and sharp but has not-so-beautiful bokeh. For me the 105/2 DC is the best: sharp, wonderful skintones and bokeh, DC-features, built like a tank.
some samples:
http://members.home.nl/jurjen.s/166-26klein.jpg
http://members.home.nl/jurjen.s/175-Ea.jpg

The MF 105/2.5 is also very good but is doesn't meter with all bodies.

 

[Jeff Klofft]

And get the 70-200VR. It is unreal as a portrait lens and will do many other things as well.

--
Jeff

Check out my gallery at http://www.pbase.com/jklofft

 

[Jeff Klofft]

--
Jeff

Check out my gallery at http://www.pbase.com/jklofft

--
Jeff

Check out my gallery at http://www.pbase.com/jklofft

 

[kirintea]

What do you think about these 3 lenses
anyone know how do they compare?

Can someone reccomend a portrait lens for one person shots, not large
groups. I'm shooting 35 mm nikon and my price range is 500 -1000.

thanks

 

[DoF]

try a forum search - there was a thread about this within the last month or two

Can someone reccomend a portrait lens for one person shots, not large
groups. I'm shooting 35 mm nikon and my price range is 500 -1000.

thanks

 

[Kent J]

I have the 85/1.4 and the 135/2. Both are beauties. However, for portraits, I don't think anything can compare with the 85/1.4. Many times people have seen portraits I've taken with this lens and can't figure out what it is they think is so spectacular about the image. When we've discussed it, it always turns out to be that eerie three-dimensional quality you get when you shoot at f/5.6 with an interesting background - subject's eyes super sharp, hair & ears ever so slightly OOF, and that great backround blur:



The 135/2 on a digital body is too long for portraits, but you can get the same cool effect with close-up subjects like flowers:



-Kent

Can someone reccomend a portrait lens for one person shots, not large
groups. I'm shooting 35 mm nikon and my price range is 500 -1000.

thanks

--
Gear and comments in profile. Mahalo, y'all.

 

[Joon Lee106823]

I agree with Jeff. The 70-200 is a very special lens and I'm using it more and more over my 85/1.4 which is still a fabulous portrait lens (I use PS to cover up blemishes this lens seems to uncover on the face). If the size and price doesn't scare you, I say get one!

--
Jeff

Check out my gallery at http://www.pbase.com/jklofft

--
Jeff

Check out my gallery at http://www.pbase.com/jklofft

 

[Uzi Navot]

Can someone reccomend a portrait lens for one person shots, not large
groups. I'm shooting 35 mm nikon and my price range is 500 -1000.

thanks

*********************************

Ron,

The 85/1.4 is the best.

--
Uzi Navot

Nikon D1X , Nikon F5, Nikon F-100, Leica R7, Contax G-2,

Nikon FE-2, Contax T2 ; Minox 35 GL

Fuji FinePix S 602 zoom; Canon PowerShot A - 80 Zoom

etc.

 

[ron morosey]

am I ok with the 85/ 1.8? thanks abot 400 less $

Can someone reccomend a portrait lens for one person shots, not large
groups. I'm shooting 35 mm nikon and my price range is 500 -1000.

thanks

*********************************

Ron,

The 85/1.4 is the best.

--
Uzi Navot

Nikon D1X , Nikon F5, Nikon F-100, Leica R7, Contax G-2,

Nikon FE-2, Contax T2 ; Minox 35 GL

Fuji FinePix S 602 zoom; Canon PowerShot A - 80 Zoom

etc.

 

[vanwack]

That doesn't look like f/14?

 

[Jurjen_S]

Look at this:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=7564956

 

[v_]

I've noticed the exact same thing! At f/14 such a shallow depth of field?

Tt's gotta be a typo. It's probably taken at f/1.4

Viktor

That doesn't look like f/14?

 

[Dirk Vermeirre]

Hi Ron,

I absolutely love the 105 DC, no lens can compete for portraits with this superb lens IMO. Just used it today for an assignment, here are some fresh samples. I think that I almost never will use other lenses for portraits, except maybe sometimes the 70-200 VR.









and another from some weeks ago:



With very kind regards,

Dirk

Equipment is not the issue. It's all about vision.

http://www.pbase.com/dievee