Looking for advice on my next lens!

[Tracybug]

Hello!

I'm still very new to photography and I am planning my next purchase. I have decided my passion is leaning towards portraits. So here is what I have so far. Camera Nikon D3100, Kit lens 18-55mm, AF-S 55-300mm 1.4 5-5.6 G ED and a SB 400 Speedlight. I'm kicking myself now for buying the SB400....should have bought the SB600 but I can work with what I have for right now I think as far as my flash goes.
So my next purchase is leaning towards a lens that will be best for practicing portraits with. I would love suggestions on what would best fit my needs based on my camera, my beginners ability and most important my $500 budget! Also where to buy!!! My camera was a gift that was purchased at Best Buy and my lens and flash were huge impulse purchases from amazon.com. After doing some reading here I now understand these are not the place places to be shopping!!!

Advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!

Tracy

 

[flatflip]

I have a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 for sale in the buy & sell forum. It is a great portrait lens. I also use a D3100 but selling lens to reduce my equipment investment.

Sent from my iPhone using PhotoForum

 

[TheKenTurner]

You should Definatly go with a prime. I'm a Canon user, so I don't exactly know Nikon prices, but you could probably get a 50mm f/1.4, a 35mm prime, or an 85mm prime. I know that Sigma has a 28mm f/1.8 for that price as well. for picking a prime, try to tape (or just leave it without tape) the lens at a fixed length, then do that for all lenses, and you will now which one fits you best

 

[RyanSands]

Go check out BH Photo Video's website...

B&H Photo Video Digital Cameras, Photography, Camcorders

A great portrait lens is the Tamron 28-75mm. I have it and I love it! I also LOVE my Canon 70-200 f2.8 for portraits as well. It flattens out facial features and creates some delicious bokeh : )
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) AF09NII-700 B&H

 

[BZSPhotography]

I say save up a bit more and get the Nikorr 28-70 f2.8

 

[BZSPhotography]

I say save up a bit more and get the Nikorr 28-70 f2.8, nice F stop, wide angle and won't let you down on portraits

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Hello!

I'm still very new to photography and I am planning my next purchase. I have decided my passion is leaning towards portraits. So here is what I have so far. Camera Nikon D3100, Kit lens 18-55mm, AF-S 55-300mm 1.4 5-5.6 G ED and a SB 400 Speedlight. I'm kicking myself now for buying the SB400....should have bought the SB600 but I can work with what I have for right now I think as far as my flash goes.
So my next purchase is leaning towards a lens that will be best for practicing portraits with. I would love suggestions on what would best fit my needs based on my camera, my beginners ability and most important my $500 budget! Also where to buy!!! My camera was a gift that was purchased at Best Buy and my lens and flash were huge impulse purchases from amazon.com. After doing some reading here I now understand these are not the place places to be shopping!!!

Advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!

Tracy

shop bhphoto.com

and if you're a student, deep discounts at bhphoto.com/edu sigma lenses are included in the student discounts.

 

[greybeard38 10]

You have an outfit similar to mine, only difference is that I have the d5100. I got my eye on this lens. 2190B Nikon 85mm f/3.5G AF-S DX Micro ED (VR-II) Vibration Reduction Telephoto Nikkor Lens - Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A.
Good for portraits, macro, and will autofocus with our cameras.