FX Lens Ideas - Portraits and Events
lifeinfocus
Registered Users Posts: 1,461 Major grins
I recently upgraded from a Nikon 90 (DX) to a used Nikon D700 (FX) (2,000 clicks). I have one FX lens 70-300mm. I will keep it for occasional sports and longer distance nature shots.
But I most often shoot school and church events. Some photogs have suggested 18-200mm for that but that is DX and I want to stay with FX. Any suggestions - any brand suggestion is welcome.
I want to do more portrait - indoors and outdoors - this could be small groups to individuals. I recognize that 105mm and 135mm are excellent choices for individual portraits.
What about groups of up to 10? Prime or telephoto choices?
I recently did my first wedding and I rented 24-70mm - good range and expensive. I dont' plan on doing weddings - while it was fun I don't plan on advertising for this type of event.
As an event example, I have an opportunity to shoot an indoors 75th wedding anniversary. I would like to do these types of events - combo portrait and journalistic.
I would like to keep costs down until I make a few bucks, but certainly would consider making a good investment now instead of buying and selling.
Any and all comments are welcome.
Phil
But I most often shoot school and church events. Some photogs have suggested 18-200mm for that but that is DX and I want to stay with FX. Any suggestions - any brand suggestion is welcome.
I want to do more portrait - indoors and outdoors - this could be small groups to individuals. I recognize that 105mm and 135mm are excellent choices for individual portraits.
What about groups of up to 10? Prime or telephoto choices?
I recently did my first wedding and I rented 24-70mm - good range and expensive. I dont' plan on doing weddings - while it was fun I don't plan on advertising for this type of event.
As an event example, I have an opportunity to shoot an indoors 75th wedding anniversary. I would like to do these types of events - combo portrait and journalistic.
I would like to keep costs down until I make a few bucks, but certainly would consider making a good investment now instead of buying and selling.
Any and all comments are welcome.
Phil
0
Comments
Do you still have the D90?
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
An "accurate" reproduction of a scene and a good photograph are often two different things.
Yes, I do, but am planning to sell if possible.
"You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~Ansel Adams
Phil
I suggest holding onto the D90 until you make your transition to a complete FF kit of body and lenses. Holding onto the D90 will allow a much longer time for the transition and the different size formats even give you some extra system flexibilities that a single format and single body do not allow.
Start your FF acquisition by purchasing the particular lens you intend to use the most.
When you mention "Portraits and Events" the typical needs are the same as for weddings.
Basically, I use:
2) A telephoto zoom for large events when it's difficult to cover the area with a standard zoom.
3+4) A couple of fast primes for more formal individual or 2-shot portraits.
Assuming that you already have a competent DX system I would start the FF acquisition with the standard zoom and a longer prime. The traditional sizes are a Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED for the standard zoom and either a DC-Nikkor 105mm f/2D or a DC-Nikkor 135mm f/2D. (Even a Nikkor 85mm, f1.8D or G series lens will do for this purpose.)
Yes, the 24-70mm, f2.8 zoom is a chunk and it's costly, and so are the other recommendations. FF bodies and high-quality FF optics are generally like that.
I do recommend lenses of f2.8 aperture or faster to speed autofocus in lower light. Slower aperture lenses may struggle in typical indoor event lighting. The D700 does help by using its built-in AF illumination light. A suitable flash with an AF Assist light is also helpful, as is the SU-800 Wireless Commander (even if you don't use it as a Commander and only use it as a focus assist light).
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Thank you for your comment. That may be a good combination lens for both the type of photos I would like to take.
My intent in this posting was for separate lens for event and for portraits (groups and single individuals). So, I would like to see more comments if possible.
Thanks again,
Phil
"You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~Ansel Adams
Phil
But honestly, as a general / candid shooter on an FX body, in my opinion and for my style it doesn't get any better than a mid-priced 85 prime...
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
Thanks Matthew. I was hoping you would respond.
I will check that out and give it serious consideration.
Phil
"You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~Ansel Adams
Phil
Thanks for your comprehensive review.
Based on your response and Matthews, I am leaning toward an 85mm as one of the lenses. I have rented the 24-70mm and it is an excellent lens. A little more reach would be helpful for capturing kids in school events though.
Thanks again,
Phil
"You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~Ansel Adams
Phil
Oh, well in that case get a 24-70/2.8 for events and group portraits, and a fast 85 or 105 or 135 for individual portraits. Easy, right?
An "accurate" reproduction of a scene and a good photograph are often two different things.
On Nikon the best deal right now is the new 85 1.8; the 105 and 135 from Nikon are ancient and due for an upgrade. I'm hoping that one or both of those two classic f/2 tele portrait lenses get updated to AFS-G this year, and maybe even VR. We'll see. Until then, I recommend the 85 1.8 AFS-G for the casual shooter, or the 85 1.4 (either Nikon or the Sigma) ...for someone who is truly obsessed with portraiture...
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
Phil
"You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~Ansel Adams
Phil
Early reports on the new Nikkor 24-85mm, f3.5-4.5G ED AF-S VR look pretty good. It appears to be similar in design and optical quality to the older version with the same aperture ratings, and better than the f2.8-f4 version. That puts the lens at upper end consumer or "prosumer" quality.
Yes, you can probably produce very nice (even professional) results with the lens, especially if you use the best lighting techniques and best post-processing techniques. No, it is not the equal of the Nikkor 24-70mm, f2.8G ED AF-S and my main concern would be autofocus in lower light with the new Nikkor 24-85mm, f3.5-4.5G ED AF-S VR.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
14-24 24-70 70-200mm (vr2)
85 and 50 1.4
45 PC and sb910 x2
http://www.danielkimphotography.com
I owned that lens before, and in my opinion it is more of a Galen Rowell type lens. Light, small, cheap, and delivers it's best value when stopped down... I'm sure it'd be great for general events and portraits, but f/4.5 at 85mm would definitely necessitate an 85 prime to go with it, for when you really need to rock DOF or low light. It's a great lens, just optimal for different uses IMO...
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
Phil
"You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~Ansel Adams
Phil
Also you mention events and outdoor portraits. The potential-lens choice difference between dark-ish inside event coverage and outdoor portraits is huge. For instance you might get away with a cheap-o nikkor outside stopped down and the same lens indoors would be a pain to try and use.
Nikon does have some older offerings that can be found used AND are still good lenses; 35-70mm f/2.8, (about $300), 28-70 f/2.8 (about $900), 80-200mm f/2.8 (ranges based on model $500-1100) to name a few. But in my opinion nothing trumps what Daniel (Quarik) has in his sig line. Though for my own shooting style I could take the 70-200mm VRII and call it a day, well almost. Adding a Tamaron 17-50 f/2.8 to the bag would satisfy.
Good luck~
But with that said. The 2 lenses I use constantly and are always mounted to my 2 bodies are the 24-70 and the 70-200
Thanks to all for your time.
I am going to look at buying a used Nikon 24-70mm, although I felt better buying a used camera body than a lens.
Phil
"You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~Ansel Adams
Phil
1. 24-70/2.8
2. 70-200/2.8
3. 1.4x teleconverter
Yes the 85 is lovely. I have an 85/1.4 and LOVE it for portraits. The 24-85 is surprisingly good as well. I've got one and have even used it on my D800 to good effect. But you are talking about shooting professionally. If you plan on booking shoots and taking people's money, you owe it to yourself and to your clients to get some good gear capable of giving pro level results. And using $75 lenses like the 24-85, or bargain lenses like the 28-200 is not the answer.
Just my opinion...
perroneford@ptfphoto.com
Thank you. I had not thought about using a teleconverter. I wonder how many are used with the 24-70mm as that would seem to be a good walking around range - 34 to 98mm. Yes/No?
Phil
"You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~Ansel Adams
Phil
Phil, if you mean you felt more confidence, don't despair. Just buy from a reputable source and you'll do fine with used gear.
I don't believe that a Nikkor teleconverter will fit the Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S. The third party teleconverters that might fit would not produce desirable results.
Nikon Teleconverter Compatibility Chart
Teleconverters are most useful on longer focal length prime lenses, but the Nikkor 70-200mm zooms are an exception and "do" allow the use of a teleconverter with reasonably good image quality results (at least for the 1.4x and 1.7x teleconverters.)
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
OMGoodness... yea it won't fit. I forgot that. Sorry. And I even pulled out my 1.4x and the 24-70 to double check. But it will fit the 70-200... so that still gives an effective range of 24-280mm at a max of F4 with only two lenses and essentially a pancake. That's a totally pro level solution, VERY compact, and very effective.
perroneford@ptfphoto.com
Phil
"You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~Ansel Adams
Phil
Thanks for the info. Most helpful.
Phil
"You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~Ansel Adams
Phil