What's your portrait lens??

[Bram]

Hey guys,

I know it's beating a dead horse but I need to know. I have done my reviews, checked all websites possible and came out with the af-s 35mm 1.8G on boxing day. Now I will mostly be using this lens for portraits. Anybody got pesonal experience with this lens? Got anything to say about it? This is the place. Also what are you using to shoot your models? No not a gun i'm talking lens :greenpbl:

Thanks.

 

[Light Artisan]

35 is way too wide for portraits in my opinion... It's a great lens, I just don't like being so close to the subject. I prefer a 70-200 f/2.8 for most all portrait work, or my 50 f/1.4 if I want upper body shots.

 

[Bram]

Hmm, well I definately do NOT have the money to grab me a 70-200 2.8 else I would. This was my budget and I heard it's a wicked buy for this lens.

 

[8ball]

I just picked up a 35 MM 1.8 and I love it I haven't done a full on portrait session with it yet though so we will see how it goes when that time comes

 

[Bram]

Glad to hear 8ball. I just wanted to make sure I bought the right lens. (it's a confidence thing I have I need reassurance for everything, not doubting the decision, just the way I am.)

 

[twoboysnmygirl]

You DO have to get closer than I would like, but I have used my 35mm for indoor portraits b/c I have lighting issues and need to use this lens. Outdoors I use my 55-200 b/c I do think it's better to be farther back, but most of my subjects have been pretty comfy with me, so the 35mm hasn't been an issue.

 

[changoleon]

any thing between 85-105 mm makes great portraits

 

[Bram]

any thing between 85-105 mm makes great portraits

You don't think the 35mm 1.8 will?

 

[Dao]

Just watch out for perspective distortion.

Especially full body portrait photo where subject feet are closer to the camera than the head (i.e. subject sit on a grass field)

 

[Bram]

Good point Dao thanks for sharing that. I heard the 85mm 1.8 is one of the best but I mean with my income that's no going to happen anytime soon.

 

[Light Artisan]

The problem with the 35mm is that you are invading most people's comfort space. The lens itself is great, I just don't like it for people work usually. I sold mine after owning it for a few weeks, I just found it an odd prime on DX.

Might be just want you want, who knows... The 50mm f/1.8 is the buy of the century really, and about half the cost of the 35mm. That said, I also find the 50mm an odd prime on DX

My favorite shots I've seen from the 35mm are from a friend of mine who photographs instruments (basses mostly).

 

[twoboysnmygirl]

Yep, you really just have to watch and be aware of your angles. I took this with my 35mm recently

 

[Bram]

Hmmm I see, well one of the reasons I liked the 35 was that it could AF on my camera which is a huge issue. I mean i've heard also the nifty fifty is a great buy but, the no AF kind of worries me.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

Yep, you really just have to watch and be aware of your angles. I took this with my 35mm recently

i have a quick question about your picture above, "Celebrating Women, Transforming Birth."

now I don't know the context of the text, but "Celebrating Women", ok sure. But where does the Birth Transformation come into play? i've just never heard the term "Transforming Birth" before.

 

[Bram]

They go through a 9 month transformation and when the time comes they transform back and a new life starts to transform over the next 85-95 years (hopefully).