Nikon 50 MM or 85MM

Zet

I was over my friend's house today playing with our cameras. She has a Canon with a 50MM lens. The pictures looked beautiful and I LOVED the depth of field. I would like to purchase one for my Nikon 7000 to use when taking portraits (babies, children). I did some research and learned that the 85MM is also a nice lens for portraits. She said she paid $50 for her 50MM......I'm seeing the lenses that I want for several hundred! YIKES! :huh

So what is your opinion on what I should save up for? Thank you.

angevin1

Zet wrote: »

I was over my friend's house today playing with our cameras. She has a Canon with a 50MM lens. The pictures looked beautiful and I LOVED the depth of field. I would like to purchase one for my Nikon 7000 to use when taking portraits (babies, children). I did some research and learned that the 85MM is also a nice lens for portraits. She said she paid $50 for her 50MM......I'm seeing the lenses that I want for several hundred! YIKES!

So what is your opinion on what I should save up for? Thank you.

I paid $67 right here on DGRIN for my Canon 50mm f/1.8 II! SO deals can be found. Nikon makes a decent 50mm in that f-range; 1.8, and just like Canon, the f 1.4 is pricier. You can find Nikon f/1.8 lenses in the $100 range, sometimes lower.

Svennie

The 50/1.4 (320 euro) is more expensive than the 50/1.8 (180 euro). The 85/1.8 (350 euro) is a beauty of a lens for portraits, however on a DX camera I realized is 85mm too much. When I switched from DX to FX I also used the 85 a lot more. I really love that lens!

ThatCanonGuy

Part of the reason her photos looked good was technique. As I'm sure you know, you can't just pick up a 50 1.8 and have your photos look better. You have to learn to use it and play to its strengths.

Oh and I'd be interested to know where she got her 50 for $50 . Like Tom said, deals can be found, you just have to know where to look. If she bought it for $50, it was almost certainly used. New Canon ones go for around $120.

Nikon makes one for around $100 (at least, used). Some higher-end 50s are a few hundred dollars. Your camera cost a lot, so give it good lenses. Not being an expert on Nikon lenses, I'd say you might want the new 50 1.8 (G, is it?), as I've heard good things about it.

Zerodog

50 1.8 is a cool nikon lens on DX. Everyone should own one, at least to try for a while.