Portrait Lense for D70s

Jnichols

I'm thinking of purchasing this lens:

Sigma - 105mm 2.8 EX DG Macro Lens Nikon AF

Not sure of the quality of this lens - any comments? The Nikkor 105mm is to pricey for me at this point!

Thanks!

Andy

Jnichols wrote:

I'm thinking of purchasing this lense:

Sigma - 105mm 2.8 EX DG Macro Lens Nikon AF

Not sure of the quality of this lense - any comments? The Nikkor 105mm is to pricey for me at this point!

Thanks!

how about the nikkor 85 f/1.8 - that's a great focal length for portraits, and from what i hear, a great value, too.

Jnichols

andy wrote:

how about the nikkor 85 f/1.8 - that's a great focal length for portraits, and from what i hear, a great value, too.

I was prepared to buy the nikkor 85 but the sales person that I was speaking to told me that the 85 is not a good portrait lens (due to distortion). I argued that I understood that 85-135 were considered portrait lenses - but backed off because I thought that maybe I was wrong (he was pretty sure of himself). He told me that the 135 was the true portrait lens. Can you explain?

Mitchell

I second the vote for the Nikkor 85mm, f1.8. I just got this lens and am impressed with the bokeh. The lens is fast and light. A great value too.

See here: http://www.digitalgrin.com/showthread.php?t=21162

If money is no object and you want a zoom, I love my Nikkor 28-70, f2.8ED. This is a great portrait lens with great color and bokeh. Unfortunately, it is expensive (>$1,000) and heavy.

Mitchell

Jnichols wrote:

I was prepared to buy the nikkor 85 but the sales person that I was speaking to told me that the 85 is not a good portrait lense (due to distortion). I argued that I understood that 85-135 were considered portrait lenses - but backed off because I thought that maybe I was wrong (he was pretty sure of himself). He told me that the 135 was the true portrait lense. Can you explain?

Jen,
Don't you hate it when people are so dogmatic? What is your shooting style? Some people like taking portraits with a 70-210 VR zoom! Others love the closeness they get with the standard 50mm. The 85 is a nice focal length for portraits on the D70.

Jnichols

Mitchell wrote:

Jen,
Don't you hate it when people are so dogmatic? What is your shooting style? Some people like taking portraits with a 70-210 VR zoom! Others love the closeness they get with the standard 50mm. The 85 is a nice focal length for portraits on the D70.

I loved taking portraits using my kit lens - 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 (I think that's right?) - I loved being closer to the person and the interaction. I used my other lens 70-300mm and didn't go to 300 (too much zoom for the task at hand but wanted to try it out) and I HATED it. So once is enough. This pictures came out okay but I didn't like the distance. So I tried out the 85mm in the store and of course as I explained before... was talked out of it.

Thank you so much for your input - at least I feel like I'm not crazy for wanting to use the 85mm!

nikk

I use the 50mm 1.8 as my portriat lens, very cheap, very light weight, very small , good quality results (for me). but doesnt get as close as until the 'pimples' are so big . but i dont have to climb the ladder if i want to shoot from an angle above the subject compare to the longer lenses. (me very short person)

TOF guy

Jnichols wrote:

(snip) the sales person (snip) told me that the 85 is not a good portrait lense (due to distortion).

Now that's funny !

Jnichols wrote:

he was pretty sure of himself (snip) Can you explain?

He's a sales person all right ! But there is exactly 0.00% distortion with the 85 f1.8 (or f1.4) prime lens (backed by measurements, BTW).

Thierry

gtc

suggestion from tightwad
if money is an issue(it is with me)how about a screwmount pentax super-multi-coated takumar and a cameraquest adapter.you can get an 85mm 1.8 for a couple of hundred $US and the very good adapter for $175.

its fast and is a legendary portrait lens and who needs autofocus with a portrait lens? most portrait photographers focus manually when working with shallow DOF.

Jnichols wrote:

I'm thinking of purchasing this lense:

Sigma - 105mm 2.8 EX DG Macro Lens Nikon AF

Not sure of the quality of this lense - any comments? The Nikkor 105mm is to pricey for me at this point!

Thanks!

Seymore

I second, third and fourth the 85/1.8. My closest to this is currently the 60/2.8 Macro, which is a bit short, but I've had my eye on the 85/1.8 for some time now. I do highly recommend this lens, and if $$$ are an issue for you, used 85's can be found HEREand HERE for less than 3 bills. You may also keep your eyes open for used lenses at your local camera stores, the news paper (although rare) and other WEB based sales.

Good luck...

Jnichols

Excellent!
Thanks for all the advice - the 85mm 1.8 it is then! I can't wait to actually get my hands on it and use it