A good portrait lens?

Nessy024 · Nov 3, 2011

Im just curious of what everybody uses for a portrait lens. Im mostly looking for sharpness. If you can recommend anything i usually rent different lens to find the right one, also if you have a photo taken with it, that woukd be amazing! Love to know your opinions! Im using nikon!

joealcantar · Nov 3, 2011

Let us know if you are using a DX or FX (full frame) body or list your equipment on your signature area that way we go in the right direction.
But if you have a DX body you can't go wrong with a prime lens so you can see the comparison and characteristics when shooting. The nifty fifty is a good start for a DX body as once the crop factor comes into play it falls into the portrait lens range.
Nikon DX Format Cameras
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You can spend around One Hundred bucks for a used 50mm 1.8 to get your feet wet or if you want to spend a little more money the 1.4 is another option. I would just get the 1.8 and try the lens to see if you like it. Keep in mind that your feet will do the composition of the shot as you move back and forth. A 24mm 2.8 is also another good lens is you want to get a few more folks in there. Look in on your local camera shops as they carry lots of used gear. These folks sell used gear and they offer some kind of warranty on them Buy & Sell New & Used Cameras but do shop around. You can also post in the buy/sell section once you have enough post or even here that you may be interested in a certain lens.
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Do not rule out other makes of lenses for your camera Tamron , Sigma etc. all have lenses they can brag about. Ask away and do your research with the search engines as well as searches on here to come up with a game plan.
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Shoot well and look forward to the post, Joe

Nessy024 · Nov 3, 2011

Thank you for the info! I am working with a dx and using. 50 1.8 but the focal length is difficult to work with. I find myself backing up alot. Would the 24 2.8 still give me a nice blurred background?

Nikon_Josh · Nov 3, 2011

Nessy024 said:
Thank you for the info! I am working with a dx and using. 50 1.8 but the focal length is difficult to work with. I find myself backing up alot. Would the 24 2.8 still give me a nice blurred background?

The 50 1.8 (75mm equivalent) may indeed mean you need to step back a bit, but at the same time it also means you do not get big noses and small ears in your portraits. You should not under any circumstances use a lens less than 50mm for headshots on DX, it will distort the face. The 24 2.8 will only really be suitable for Full body shots and will not render decent 'Bokeh' as it is a wide angle lens and is not designed for subject isolation. Unless you literally stick something in front of the lens and force it to close focus on the object, most of your photo will be in focus.