What's your go to portrait lens?

11 years 2 months ago #275623 by Joe Photo Daddy
I just picked up a used D700 and tossing around the idea of either the 85mm f/1.4 or 85mm f/1.8. Now this from what I read is one of the top portrait lens focal length right?

When you shoot portraits what lens will you grab first?


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11 years 2 months ago #275637 by garyrhook
I don't have it yet, but the first prime I'll buy is the 85 f/1.8 (Nikon). Word is it's sharper than the 1.4. The geometry of the images an 85mm produces is just perfect to my eye.

:drool:


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11 years 2 months ago #275659 by John Landolfi
85mm f/1.4, followed closely by 58mm f/1.2. Both produce very good bokeh, and the 58mm is especially good in indoor low light situations. :cheers:


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11 years 2 months ago #275722 by Canon_Kyro
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II


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11 years 2 months ago #275858 by Jeanne Merlo
I'm hooked on my 50mm


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11 years 2 months ago #275895 by KCook

Canon 50D, Olympus PL2
kellycook.zenfolio.com/

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11 years 2 months ago #275996 by Flash Steven
70-200mm for me, it's a lens that serves me very well.

Canon 7D w/grip, Canon 40D, Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS L Canon MPE 65mm f2.8 macro; Sigma 70-300mm f2.8; Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro; Sigma 8-16mm f4.5-5.6
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11 years 2 months ago #276022 by Stealthy Ninja
If you're on Nikon.

Buy the 85 1.8. It's freakin' amazing. One of the best lenses I've ever owned and very affordable. No need to go for the 85 1.4 unless you REALLY need the extra 1/2 stop which honestly won't make a huge difference.

If you're on Canon (which I do now), you can buy the 85 1.8 if you want something on a budget, Sigma 85 1.4 if you want something very nice, but you may need to play lens roulette with this older Sigma lens, or the 85 1.2 (if you want the very best). Then there's the 135 f/2 which is very nice. I'm actually hoping Sigma will release an 85 1.4 Art lens (like the amazing 35 1.4). That's a lens I would probably buy.

Personally I don't shoot portraits enough, so I skipped out all together (for the moment). If I needed to I'd use the 70-200 2.8L IS II or borrow my friends 85mm zeiss lens.

I do love the 35/85mm prime combo though. I will be getting this equivalent combo for my Fuji system when they bring out the 23 1.4 and 53 1.4 (I think that's what they're bringing out) later this year.


So long story short: 70-200 2.8L IS II or borrow a lens from someone.
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11 years 2 months ago #276025 by Leilanee

Joe Photo Daddy wrote: I just picked up a used D700 and tossing around the idea of either the 85mm f/1.4 or 85mm f/1.8. Now this from what I read is one of the top portrait lens focal length right?

When you shoot portraits what lens will you grab first?


50 mm f/1.8.
That lens is my BFF.


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11 years 2 months ago #276190 by Hawkins
I love my 50mm too.


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11 years 2 months ago #276406 by Danny Carson
50mm or 70-200mm are always with me


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11 years 2 months ago #276448 by Gene.Culley
I want an 85mm lens myself, perhaps this summer


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11 years 2 months ago #276504 by Tuscany
Go with the 85mm f/1.8 it's getting good reviews and it cost a lot less


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11 years 2 months ago - 11 years 2 months ago #276506 by Stealthy Ninja

Leilanee wrote:

Joe Photo Daddy wrote: I just picked up a used D700 and tossing around the idea of either the 85mm f/1.4 or 85mm f/1.8. Now this from what I read is one of the top portrait lens focal length right?

When you shoot portraits what lens will you grab first?


50 mm f/1.8.
That lens is my BFF.


Might be an OK length for portraits on your CROP body, but on the D700 the 85 1.8 is a much better choice.

Honestly, that's one of the best lenses I've owned (the 85 1.8 ) the 50 1.8 is a good lens for the money though (Nikon version I mean).
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11 years 2 months ago #276521 by Robert Chen
70-200mm :thumbsup: :drool:

Nikon D300 24-70mm f2.8
70-200mm f2.8
50mm f1.4 & 50mm f1.8
105mm f2.8
2 SB800

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