Nikon prime lens choice...
Discussion
Hi All
I have a Nikon D90 that I use mainly for cityscapes, landscapes etc using the 18-105mm zoom that came with it. However, MrsMH is due to produce in May so I have started looking at prime lenses so I have less need of flash illumination in low light situations, get better bokeh etc for producing people/children pictures.
I am trying to work out which to choose between the Nikon 35mm F1.8G DX lens or the AF-S 50mm F1.4 G.
I appreciate that the 50mm will get sharper by about F2 which makes it a better low light lens but is the focal length too long for taking pics of kids etc (FX equiv of 75mm). Or are there other lenses I should be looking at?
Any advice would be welcome!
I have a Nikon D90 that I use mainly for cityscapes, landscapes etc using the 18-105mm zoom that came with it. However, MrsMH is due to produce in May so I have started looking at prime lenses so I have less need of flash illumination in low light situations, get better bokeh etc for producing people/children pictures.
I am trying to work out which to choose between the Nikon 35mm F1.8G DX lens or the AF-S 50mm F1.4 G.
I appreciate that the 50mm will get sharper by about F2 which makes it a better low light lens but is the focal length too long for taking pics of kids etc (FX equiv of 75mm). Or are there other lenses I should be looking at?
Any advice would be welcome!
GlenMH said:
I am trying to work out which to choose between the Nikon 35mm F1.8G DX lens or the AF-S 50mm F1.4 G. I appreciate that the 50mm will get sharper by about F2 which makes it a better low light lens but is the focal length too long for taking pics of kids etc (FX equiv of 75mm). Or are there other lenses I should be looking at?
Depends! For single portraits I'd choose the 50mm. IMHO 35mm would make you too close - subjects get more self-conscious and faces get fatter. But if you want a group, then 35mm would be better. It's all down to the angle of view you want. I have the 50mm f1.4 but never use it at max aperture due to the shallow DOF. f2+ works much better so you could save a chunk and get the f1.8. But I really prefer the flexibility of a fast zoom.
I have a D90 and the 50mm 1.8 was the second addition to the glass to go alongside the 18-105.
For me it is just a little long on DX to be perfect for portraits although it is cracking value for money imo.
I haven't used a 35 to see how in your face you then have to get with that option, perhaps try then both back to back in a shop?
For me it is just a little long on DX to be perfect for portraits although it is cracking value for money imo.
I haven't used a 35 to see how in your face you then have to get with that option, perhaps try then both back to back in a shop?
Ooo, I reckon I might be in a good position to answer this. Mini GW was born last November. At the time I had a D300 and a 35mm 1.8. For taking pictures of babies, the 35mm in my experience was actually a bit short, though great for shots of people holding the baby. I then purchased a 50mm 1.4 and found that a perfect length for babies on a crop body. I then went a little mad and bought a D700 so all of a sudden the 50mm 1.4 felt a little short. Half looking out for a cheap 85mm 1.8 now.
So in summary, I'd recommend the 50mm 1.4. It's a shame you didn't ask a week or two ago as I've just sold one (I had two, don't ask!) for peanuts. You should be able to pick one up for around £225 used.
So in summary, I'd recommend the 50mm 1.4. It's a shame you didn't ask a week or two ago as I've just sold one (I had two, don't ask!) for peanuts. You should be able to pick one up for around £225 used.
Thanks for all the very useful comments.
Simpo - I would LOVE a fast zoom but as we are coming back to the UK after nearly 4 years away then until I have a job (and done a few other key things
) then nearly 4 figures on a lens isn't going to happen - which is a pity!
Gad-westy - thanks for the useful comments. I hadn't thought about how close you would need to get with the 35mm...
Where do you recommend I look for second hand kit as I have been out of the country for a while?
Simpo - I would LOVE a fast zoom but as we are coming back to the UK after nearly 4 years away then until I have a job (and done a few other key things
) then nearly 4 figures on a lens isn't going to happen - which is a pity!Gad-westy - thanks for the useful comments. I hadn't thought about how close you would need to get with the 35mm...
Where do you recommend I look for second hand kit as I have been out of the country for a while?
38911 said:
I've just invested in the 35mm 1.8 and it's a cracking lens for portrait & DoF. Even at 1.8 it's pin sharp.
I tried the 50mm but on DX it was too close IMO.
Agreed. I've got both. Bought the 50mm first and bought the 35mm when it came out as the 50mm was too close. Cracking lensI tried the 50mm but on DX it was too close IMO.
GlenMH said:
Thanks for all the very useful comments.
Simpo - I would LOVE a fast zoom but as we are coming back to the UK after nearly 4 years away then until I have a job (and done a few other key things ) then nearly 4 figures on a lens isn't going to happen - which is a pity!
Gad-westy - thanks for the useful comments. I hadn't thought about how close you would need to get with the 35mm...
Where do you recommend I look for second hand kit as I have been out of the country for a while?
Yeah, I just found that to get nice head shots you had to be pretty close to the babies face. Not only might this bother the baby but you also risk blocking of any light source and casting a shadow. For full size people, 35mm is perfect indoors on a crop though.Simpo - I would LOVE a fast zoom but as we are coming back to the UK after nearly 4 years away then until I have a job (and done a few other key things
) then nearly 4 figures on a lens isn't going to happen - which is a pity!Gad-westy - thanks for the useful comments. I hadn't thought about how close you would need to get with the 35mm...
Where do you recommend I look for second hand kit as I have been out of the country for a while?
MPB and Ffordes are my second hand gear suppliers of choice but there are several others. Ebay is always an option and there is a decent classified section on AV forums. There is a 50mm 1.4 for sale in the classifieds on here at the moment but last time I checked it was advertised for more than new price.
Gad-Westy said:
Yeah, I just found that to get nice head shots you had to be pretty close to the babies face. Not only might this bother the baby but you also risk blocking of any light source and casting a shadow. For full size people, 35mm is perfect indoors on a crop though.
MPB and Ffordes are my second hand gear suppliers of choice but there are several others. Ebay is always an option and there is a decent classified section on AV forums. There is a 50mm 1.4 for sale in the classifieds on here at the moment but last time I checked it was advertised for more than new price.
Thanks MPB and Ffordes are my second hand gear suppliers of choice but there are several others. Ebay is always an option and there is a decent classified section on AV forums. There is a 50mm 1.4 for sale in the classifieds on here at the moment but last time I checked it was advertised for more than new price.
GlenMH said:
Gad-Westy said:
Yeah, I just found that to get nice head shots you had to be pretty close to the babies face. Not only might this bother the baby but you also risk blocking of any light source and casting a shadow. For full size people, 35mm is perfect indoors on a crop though.
MPB and Ffordes are my second hand gear suppliers of choice but there are several others. Ebay is always an option and there is a decent classified section on AV forums. There is a 50mm 1.4 for sale in the classifieds on here at the moment but last time I checked it was advertised for more than new price.
Thanks MPB and Ffordes are my second hand gear suppliers of choice but there are several others. Ebay is always an option and there is a decent classified section on AV forums. There is a 50mm 1.4 for sale in the classifieds on here at the moment but last time I checked it was advertised for more than new price.
Traditionally, "portrait" lenses were 85mm to 135mm (on full frame). There was good reason for this, being the natural distortion that a closer viewing point will give.
On DX I much prefer 85mm to 105mm - the latter is a bit long. For FX the 105mm is probably going to be good.
I have used as short as 45mm for portraits, but your perspective is going to be to slightly exaggerate the features, you will want a slightly longer working distance in many cases, so a 50mm or 85mm would be the answer, IMHO. Of course - if you want the exaggerated, distorted effect.....
On DX I much prefer 85mm to 105mm - the latter is a bit long. For FX the 105mm is probably going to be good.
I have used as short as 45mm for portraits, but your perspective is going to be to slightly exaggerate the features, you will want a slightly longer working distance in many cases, so a 50mm or 85mm would be the answer, IMHO. Of course - if you want the exaggerated, distorted effect.....
GlenMH said:
Where do you recommend I look for second hand kit as I have been out of the country for a while?
...I am a fan of Grays of Westminster, bit pricey but service and warranty to go with it.Otherwise, I like Ebay - just sold three lenses...... and then bought another! Of my current lens line up, two were from Grays and six from Ebay. Takes research and patience (normally, unless you make a snap decision to bid on something that looks nice!)
Just bought a Nikon 28-200 for use on my D700 - its an old lens (11 years old) in perfect condition and came with a 72mm filter, box and papers including the original receipt from Jessops for 421.
Cost 121 on ebay.
Well rated by Ken Rockwell.
A great multi purpose lens for peanuts.
Check out ebay - most of my lenses are off there and cost a fraction of retail prices for little used examples.
Cost 121 on ebay.
Well rated by Ken Rockwell.
A great multi purpose lens for peanuts.
Check out ebay - most of my lenses are off there and cost a fraction of retail prices for little used examples.
Older lenses are great - especially if you want to go prime, and even if you want some non-primes - they will stand up too like the 28-200mm.
From Ebay: 14mm, 45mm, 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.4 and you can't really go wrong!!! (Plus my TC14 and TC20) are the ones now in my bag, plus ones I've loved and passed on: 55 micro, 35mm f/2, 180mm, 20mm, 85mm f/1.8 - there's just so much great choice for Nikkor primes!
From Ebay: 14mm, 45mm, 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.4 and you can't really go wrong!!! (Plus my TC14 and TC20) are the ones now in my bag, plus ones I've loved and passed on: 55 micro, 35mm f/2, 180mm, 20mm, 85mm f/1.8 - there's just so much great choice for Nikkor primes!
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