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Portraits, which lenses ?

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Cainster

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What recommendations would you give me for portrait lenses? I plan on taking a photography class and I am strongly considering the new D90 and maybe with the kit lens. I will be starting from scratch and what would be the must have lenses for the Nikon system. I currently own a Panny FZ8 and 35mm Peantax ZX-L. I own (2) Pentax lenses and it would be easy to stay with Pentax but I am looking for other alternatives.

Thanks.

Cain
 
Depends on taste and budget. Traditionally the 50mm is used a lot but personally I sometimes find the working distance inconventient. 85mm would also be a good option. Both lenses come in an affordable 1.8 and a very desireable 1.4 version.
--
Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/
 
If you are on a strict budget, like I was when I got them, a used Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D for waist-level and greater and a used Macro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D for head shots takes some beating. Both lenses are of exceptional quality for the price you can get them, the only problem is you need some back-up room for the 105mm as it is quite long on a DX camera.

-JohnK.
 
If you are new to this and thinking of taking a course anyway, then don't worry about it. Get a good kit zoom, then after a while with that you will get a feel for how long a lens you need.

Formal portraits do tend to use around 50mm - its all down to working distance to get the perspective of the models face looking correct in print - but these days formal is a but a small section of photography, anything goes, so it all comes back to taste (or lack of).

I like this as a portait, but I don't expect it to wow the crowds or win prizes.



--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/leechypics/

Make your own mind up - there are no rules in this game.
 
In short: all USA warranty prices.

50 mm f/1.8D - $110 approx
50 mm f/1.4D - $290 approx
85 mm f/1.8D - $400 approx
85 mm f/1.4D - $1,000 approx

All are very good lenses. Definitely price decides quality too...

Want the best one - go with the most expensive one.

That said, for the price, 50mm f/1.8D is a Godsend - quality, size, sharpness, speed, it has it all. I have one, I strongly suggest you buy one. If you are richer than me, thats different.

--
Sky is Falling... Thats the Truth....
wijnands said:
Depends on taste and budget. Traditionally the 50mm is used a lot but
personally I sometimes find the working distance inconventient. 85mm
would also be a good option. Both lenses come in an affordable 1.8
and a very desireable 1.4 version.
--
Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/
Click to expand...
 
Why is there such a price difference between the f/1.8D and the f/1.4D for the lenses listed below? Are those f/1.4D lenses that much better than the f/1.8D?
Please remember I am new to this DSLR world. Be kind.

Cain
skyisfalling said:
50 mm f/1.8D - $110 approx
50 mm f/1.4D - $290 approx
85 mm f/1.8D - $400 approx
85 mm f/1.4D - $1,000 approx

All are very good lenses. Definitely price decides quality too...

Want the best one - go with the most expensive one.

That said, for the price, 50mm f/1.8D is a Godsend - quality, size,
sharpness, speed, it has it all. I have one, I strongly suggest you
buy one. If you are richer than me, thats different.

--
Sky is Falling... Thats the Truth....
wijnands said:
Depends on taste and budget. Traditionally the 50mm is used a lot but
personally I sometimes find the working distance inconventient. 85mm
would also be a good option. Both lenses come in an affordable 1.8
and a very desireable 1.4 version.
--
Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Is that 105 f/2.8D a VR lens? And how much should I expect to pay for this lens?

Cain
JohnK04716323 said:
If you are on a strict budget, like I was when I got them, a used
Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D for waist-level and greater and a used
Macro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D for head shots takes some beating. Both
lenses are of exceptional quality for the price you can get them, the
only problem is you need some back-up room for the 105mm as it is
quite long on a DX camera.

-JohnK.
Click to expand...
 
In simple words, f-number means Aperture control. The smaller the f-number, the larger the aperture. So, 1.4 needs larger diameter glass. 1.8 needs smaller glass. The higher the focal length, the longer the lens becomes.

Besides all this, there is the construction itself. Some lenses have extra glass to avoid distortion and for better image quality.

Since you are new to DSLR, I would suggest you buy a 50-f1.8D. That does autofocus on D90 but not D60.

If you are not familiar with autofocus motors, Google for Nikon Autofocus Motor.

--
Sky is Falling... Thats the Truth....
 
Yes, VR lens. There is a non-VR D-series version as well.

Check Adorama/B&H for prices. The VR one is about $750. The non-VR one is about $600 approx, if I remember right.
Cainster said:
Cain
JohnK04716323 said:
If you are on a strict budget, like I was when I got them, a used
Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D for waist-level and greater and a used
Macro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D for head shots takes some beating. Both
lenses are of exceptional quality for the price you can get them, the
only problem is you need some back-up room for the 105mm as it is
quite long on a DX camera.

-JohnK.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Sky is Falling... Thats the Truth....
 
Cainster said:
Why is there such a price difference between the f/1.8D and the
f/1.4D for the lenses listed below? Are those f/1.4D lenses that much
better than the f/1.8D?
Click to expand...
Price difference is, among other things, because of the 1.4 lenses have more glass and of a better quality. Also the build is better.

That much better... that's very personal. I don't think so but each has to decide that for himself. You don't only get a faster lens, you get a better build lens, in case of the 50mm 1.4 a bit more sharpness near wide open.
The 85 1.4 is nicknamed "the cream machine" for it's bokeh.

In general it's the difference between good and a bit better. As you can see in the prices below the law of diminishing returns certainly applies here.
Cainster said:
Please remember I am new to this DSLR world. Be kind.
Click to expand...
I'm trying to.
Cainster said:
Cain
skyisfalling said:
50 mm f/1.8D - $110 approx
50 mm f/1.4D - $290 approx
85 mm f/1.8D - $400 approx
85 mm f/1.4D - $1,000 approx

All are very good lenses. Definitely price decides quality too...

Want the best one - go with the most expensive one.

That said, for the price, 50mm f/1.8D is a Godsend - quality, size,
sharpness, speed, it has it all. I have one, I strongly suggest you
buy one. If you are richer than me, thats different.

--
Sky is Falling... Thats the Truth....
wijnands said:
Depends on taste and budget. Traditionally the 50mm is used a lot but
personally I sometimes find the working distance inconventient. 85mm
would also be a good option. Both lenses come in an affordable 1.8
and a very desireable 1.4 version.
--
Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/
 
I think it depends on under what conditions you are planning to shoot these portraits, if you are talking available light portraits then the 50mm's are nice fast lenses along with the 85mm's. If you are talking studio then I would use the kit as you will shoot most studio shots at f/5.6 or better.

Myself I own the 50mm 1.8 and have owned the 1.4, I own the 85mm 1.8 and used the 1.4 enough to almost call it my own. If I had to choose one lens it would be none of these and be the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro, its probably the perfect portrait lens that isnt a 85mm 1.4 and its a macro on top of that.

-Scott
--

 
I've heard great things about the Tamron 90 f/2.8 and it's sharpness. But many people have posted it's almost too sharp for portraits. What's your take on that?
Is it too sharp?

Cain
Scotts11 said:
I think it depends on under what conditions you are planning to shoot
these portraits, if you are talking available light portraits then
the 50mm's are nice fast lenses along with the 85mm's. If you are
talking studio then I would use the kit as you will shoot most studio
shots at f/5.6 or better.

Myself I own the 50mm 1.8 and have owned the 1.4, I own the 85mm 1.8
and used the 1.4 enough to almost call it my own. If I had to choose
one lens it would be none of these and be the Tamron 90mm f/2.8
macro, its probably the perfect portrait lens that isnt a 85mm 1.4
and its a macro on top of that.

-Scott
--

Click to expand...
 
I agree it is a rather sharp lens, I counteract this with little to no sharpening when I use it, whereas with the 85 1.8 and 50mm 1.8 I use +4 sharpening with my D300





Plus you can use it for stuff like this...



ISO 1250 from the D300 (good things to look forward to with the D90 :P )



Its a very versatile lens, drawbacks it focuses slow not just slow but Slowwwwwww, but for portraits and macro thats not such a bad thing. Dont get me wrong I still love my 85 1.8 though, its just not as versatile.

-Scott
--

 
Cant edit.... But to add if you are doing mostly studio work you will find the 90mm tamron will just about have to be focused manually as its AF is not going to be good at all with just a modeling light. Also at f/5.6 and above that you use in the studio you will see the "wow this is too sharp for a portrait" effect that a macro lens like this will give, luckily its not that difficult to fix with some PP. In its defense the 85mm 1.8 at that f/stop can get pretty darn sharp also as can the 50mm.

-Scott
--

 
The 105mm f/2.8D in a non-VR lens. I seem to recall I picked it up for about $300-400 a few years ago. You don't need VR if you are going to use for portraiture mounted on a tripod.

-JohnK.
 
I think anyone seriously considering the tamron 90 should also take a look at the tokina 100mm. Better build and slightly more affordable.

Macro lenses as portrati? I don't know, for kids maybe but adults above a certain age may not apprieciate the sharpness.
--
Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/
 
I agree with wijnands about using the Tamron for older people or women, it will increase your pp'ing time for sure. I use the 85 1.8 for weddings for this very reason (its a heck of a cheap low light basketball lens also btw....). Just like the 85 1.8 isnt a good solution for macro, no lens will really be a jack of all trades; which is of course why we purchase more lenses :)

If you are just starting out the Tamron will give you more versatility, but if get serious about portraiture you will probably eventually own the 85 1.8 or 1.4. I will try to find some good portrait examples with the 85's. I wouldnt completely rule out some of the second hand zooms like the sigma 24-60 or 28-70 f/2.8

-Scott
--

 
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