Beginner! Starting out! Amateur photographer in the making! Lens help for Nikon D7100

[JazzyStudios]

Hi I am completely a beginner. I have had a Nikon d3100 for years always used on auto mode. Now I am hoping to pursue a career in studio portrait photography. I am starting a course in September and have just purchased a Nikon D7100. I would really appreciate some advice on a good all round lens and a lens for specifically portraits or a good two in one! To really start me off. I do not know where to start... The thing is because I am just starting out, I do not want to have to buy more lenses once I start my course I would like something that will allow me to go strait into my amateur shoots. Any help advice on studio set up and especially lenses is very welcome.

Thanks Jade

 

[tirediron]

My suggestion would be to wait until you begin your course, and find out what the instructor(s) recommend. I use everything from 85mm f1.4 to 200mm f2.8 for portrait work.

 

[rexbobcat]

50mm f/1.8

It's sharp and gives that nice blurred background.

I wouldn't buy studio equipment until I got the basic technical aspects nailed down.

Even the basics of getting a proper exposure can be confusing at first, so I think it's better to not get overwhelmed right off the bat.

 

[DanOstergren]

I would always recommend an 85mm lens. Regardless of the fastest aperture you choose in an 85mm lens you will get quality results.

 

[JazzyStudios]

Thank you all I really appreciate the advice and you are probably right regarding studio equipment. I think I am just excited & a tad to enthusiastic assuming I can run before I can walk.
I will definitely look in to the lenses that you have suggested. I would like to start practicing as I have the camera body only so need to purchase a lens anyway.

Kind Regards

 

[JazzyStudios]

I would always recommend an 85mm lens. Regardless of the fastest aperture you choose in an 85mm lens you will get quality results.

50mm f/1.8

It's sharp and gives that nice blurred background.



I wouldn't buy studio equipment until I got the basic technical aspects nailed down.

Even the basics of getting a proper exposure can be confusing at first, so I think it's better to not get overwhelmed right off the bat.

Is there a specific type you would recommend? As I am purchasing one today and am very overwhelmed with the choices.

Kind Regards
Jade

 

[DanOstergren]

I would always recommend an 85mm lens. Regardless of the fastest aperture you choose in an 85mm lens you will get quality results.

50mm f/1.8

It's sharp and gives that nice blurred background.



I wouldn't buy studio equipment until I got the basic technical aspects nailed down.

Even the basics of getting a proper exposure can be confusing at first, so I think it's better to not get overwhelmed right off the bat.

Is there a specific type you would recommend? As I am purchasing one today and am very overwhelmed with the choices.

Kind Regards
Jade

The 50mm f/1.8 is decent, but the quality doesn't match the 85mm f/1.8. The 85mm will be more expensive, but a worthy investment.
Amazon.com: Nikon 85mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: NIKON: Camera & Photo

 

[pixmedic]

get a 50mm f/1.4 and a 70-200mm f/2.8 and that will pretty much cover everything you need.
for portrait work, your lighting setup is just as important as your lens choice.

 

[cbrown222]

The 50mm f/1.8 is decent, but the quality doesn't match the 85mm f/1.8. The 85mm will be more expensive, but a worthy investment.

This is the most sound advice. Even on a crop sensor (D90) my 50mm f/1.8D still looks a little awkward. My 85 f/1.8D is much sharper, and the difference between the distortion of the 50 mm to the 85 mm is surprising.

 

[rexbobcat]

get a 50mm f/1.4 and a 70-200mm f/2.8 and that will pretty much cover everything you need.
for portrait work, your lighting setup is just as important as your lens choice.

Get the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 though. The Canon 50mm f/1.4 is abysmally soft wide open. It might be good for some instances, but I've found that it's easier to soften a sharp image in Photoshop than it is to bring out detail in a soft image.

Maybe I just have a bad copy. Lol

 

[play18now]

get a 50mm f/1.4 and a 70-200mm f/2.8 and that will pretty much cover everything you need.
for portrait work, your lighting setup is just as important as your lens choice.

Get the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 though. The Canon 50mm f/1.4 is abysmally soft wide open. It might be good for some instances, but I've found that it's easier to soften a sharp image in Photoshop than it is to bring out detail in a soft image.

Maybe I just have a bad copy. Lol

Aside from the fact that the camera is a Nikon , this is good advice. Easier to soften a sharp image than to sharpen a soft one.

 

[rexbobcat]

get a 50mm f/1.4 and a 70-200mm f/2.8 and that will pretty much cover everything you need.
for portrait work, your lighting setup is just as important as your lens choice.

Get the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 though. The Canon 50mm f/1.4 is abysmally soft wide open. It might be good for some instances, but I've found that it's easier to soften a sharp image in Photoshop than it is to bring out detail in a soft image.

Maybe I just have a bad copy. Lol

Aside from the fact that the camera is a Nikon, this is good advice. Easier to soften a sharp image than to sharpen a soft one.

Oh whoops lol. I guess just ignore my post lol.

The Sigma is a good lens regardless though.