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Walshy
 Post subject: Portrait Lenses
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 8:55 am 
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I was wondering if I could get the opinions of you guys on portrait lenses. I am looking at an 85MM 1.4 or a 105MM F2. Any suggestions?? Or even a totally different lens that you could recommend??

Thanks
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Mr.Walczak
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:00 am 
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Are you shooting full frame or crop sensor?
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Walshy
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:02 am 
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Crop Sensor
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s.poborsa
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if shooting full frame you really cannot go wrong with the Zeiss 85 f1.4: http://www.vistek.ca/store/ProPhotoCame ... 5-zf2.aspx

That being said, if you like really nice tight portraits the 105 f/2 is an amazing lens

If shooting crop the Nikkor 85 f/1.4 would be better than the 105 f/2 just because of the crop factor. and it works better on crop sensors then the Zeiss does (just from personal experience)

I also think the 85 f/1.4 (D or G models) is an AMAZING LENS. Just the Zeiss is the cream o' the crop and no one can deny that.
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hotwire
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:21 am 
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Better question: what's your budget?
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Walshy
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:24 am 
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it's about $1000 - $1200
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s.poborsa
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Walshy wrote:
it's about $1000 - $1200


at that budget then ou may be able to get a Nikkor 85 f/14 D lens(older but still awesome model) or the zeiss if you don't mind manual focusing or the 105.

also: do you prefer tight cropped portraits or 3/4 or 1/2 length portraits? that will help you choose which focal length to go for and the space you have to shoot will also make a difference (tight spaces require a bit of a wider lens)
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Walshy
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:38 am 
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I prefer tighter cropped, head and shoulder and just above the waist and up
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Walshy
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:57 am 
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I am shooting corporate portraits indoor
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MustGoFaster
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You may want to rent one of the lens's that were suggested to see if it meets your expectations before purchasing. For example, the Nikon AF-s 85/1.4 G lens is only $30 to rent for a weekend. I rented one for this weekend (pick up after 4pm Friday and return before 10am Monday...since this is a long weekend I get to keep it until Tuesday at no additional cost)
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Metrix
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 10:38 am 
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ions
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Over the weekend I shot a baby (6ish weeks old) with a 105 on a crop and it was tight getting all of her in the frame in a fair sized room. You may be okay as you stated you prefer a tighter crop portrait, but make sure you consider the size of the rooms you'll be taking these images.
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Metrix
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 11:53 am 
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ions wrote:
Over the weekend I shot a baby (6ish weeks old) with a 105 on a crop and it was tight getting all of her in the frame in a fair sized room. You may be okay as you stated you prefer a tighter crop portrait, but make sure you consider the size of the rooms you'll be taking these images.



True even an 85mm can be tight. Consider some 50 to 60mm lenses can do nice work for cropped cameras.
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Seren Dipity
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 1:02 pm 
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My go to lens on full frame is the 70-200. 85mm will do as well on a full frame but I found it was too tight on a cropped sensor.
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vkhamphi
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 1:12 pm 
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Seren Dipity wrote:
My go to lens on full frame is the 70-200. 85mm will do as well on a full frame but I found it was too tight on a cropped sensor.


Love my 70-200 for portraits.
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Walshy
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 1:15 pm 
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yes but are you shooting full frame or cropped sensor?
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Seren Dipity
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V is shooting full frame. One thing to keep in mind is perspective distortion. I rarely find a head shot shot at 24mm very pleasing - who wants their nose to look larger. :)

http://www.digital-photography-school.c ... hotography
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vkhamphi
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:41 am 
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Walshy wrote:
yes but are you shooting full frame or cropped sensor?


Sorry, yes I'm shooting full frame. 50mm or 24-70mm on my 1.6x crop is nice too.
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BaRTiMuS
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vkhamphi wrote:
Walshy wrote:
yes but are you shooting full frame or cropped sensor?


Sorry, yes I'm shooting full frame. 50mm or 24-70mm on my 1.6x crop is nice too.


+1

I LOVE the 24-70 on a crop sensor. It's great all around. 24 is just wide enough for most applications and its a great portrait lens on the long end.
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Rice4Life
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I find the min focus distance gets in my way when shooting portraits with my 80-200mm L on my full frame body. I can just get head and shoulders shot, but can't get in tight enough for neck and head shot.
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Carlton
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Rice4Life wrote:
I find the min focus distance gets in my way when shooting portraits with my 80-200mm L on my full frame body. I can just get head and shoulders shot, but can't get in tight enough for neck and head shot.


That's when a macro lens shines or break out the extension tubes. :)
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polarizer
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on my D300 I love my sigma 50 1.4 - it is a special lens!
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Seren Dipity
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Rice4Life wrote:
I find the min focus distance gets in my way when shooting portraits with my 80-200mm L on my full frame body. I can just get head and shoulders shot, but can't get in tight enough for neck and head shot.


How about taking a few steps back and zooming in?
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thericyip
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Awkward camera in front of model's face?
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Peter S Photography
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BaRTiMuS wrote:
vkhamphi wrote:
Walshy wrote:
yes but are you shooting full frame or cropped sensor?


Sorry, yes I'm shooting full frame. 50mm or 24-70mm on my 1.6x crop is nice too.


+1

I LOVE the 24-70 on a crop sensor. It's great all around. 24 is just wide enough for most applications and its a great portrait lens on the long end.

You are just trying to help someone buy your buddies lens aren't you? Like me ?
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Walshy
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I am shooting a crop sensor
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Kiteguy
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Natural light or studio lights?

I ask because using studio lights that F1.4 will be wasted, unless you start to put ND filters in front of it.

If you are using natural light or non-studio lights - that F1.4 can be useful.
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Walshy
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I am using studio lights, so I guess the 1.8 would be my best bet?
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Kiteguy
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Hey I would love to sell you my 85mm f1.4D but ya the $500 85mm F1.8 will be fine for studio use.

The 105mm would be tight for a crop body but look for a used 105mm F2.5 MF lens if you want to try it - super sharp - they go for around 250-350. Sorry, can't sell you mine :)

For studio use - spend your money on the light mods, most lenses will be fine because you are usually shooting at F8 - f11 anyways.
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Kiteguy
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Hey I would love to sell you my 85mm f1.4D but ya the $500 85mm F1.8 will be fine for studio use.

The 105mm would be tight for a crop body but look for a used 105mm F2.5 MF lens if you want to try it - super sharp - they go for around 250-350. Sorry, can't sell you mine :)

For studio use - spend your money on the light mods, most lenses will be fine because you are usually shooting at F8 - f11 anyways.
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