Which portrait lens?

jasonstone

Hi everyone - I want to get a prime lens for some portrait style photos - not in studio - just for me to learn and to take photos of the kids too - have umbrella and flash gun holder getting delivered - so I'm just starting out to learn

So basically what should I get for a Nikon D80 - 50mm f1.8 or 85mm f1.8??

Given that they're going to be 75mm and *127mm on my D80

75mm sounds a tad short but 127mm sounds maybe a tad too long

I just don't know! :dunno

Thanks for all suggestions and help

Cheers, Jase

Mitchell

I would suggest the 85mm, f1.8. For the money, it's a great portrait lens. Definitely a better performer than the 50mm, f1.8

It can be a little long in studio on a DX body, but it will work very well for you outdoors.

gtc

Jase,

On a 1.6X crop my 85mm/f1.8 is too long,and my 50mm/f1.4 is a tad wide and does not compress like a short telephoto.

I have used a 60mm/f2.8 macro as a portrait lense too-I found it too sharp and not fast enough to provide a shallow DOF.

The answer,for me anyway, is either a full frame DSLR or 75mm.

You could also look around for old soft focus portrait lenses if you want to keep processing out of the equation.

Greg

jasonstone

Hello from a fellow Melburnite (although I'm an ex-Melburnite now)

D'oh - doesn't sound good! 50mm isn't going to work I don't think
The 60mm macro I don't know will not work me I don't think - played around with 105mm macro lens and don't know - just a bit harsh without some post processing

full frame is out of the question

i think it might have to be the 85mm as that seems the only reasonable option both mm and price wise

will keep looking

cheers, jase

gtc wrote:

Jase,

On a 1.6X crop my 85mm/f1.8 is too long,and my 50mm/f1.4 is a tad wide and does not compress like a short telephoto.

I have used a 60mm/f2.8 macro as a portrait lense too-I found it too sharp and not fast enough to provide a shallow DOF.

The answer,for me anyway, is either a full frame DSLR or 75mm.

You could also look around for old soft focus portrait lenses if you want to keep processing out of the equation.

Greg