Hi all. I am debating my next lens. Wondering what you Nikon DX users like for portraits and macro. I usually enjoy taking shots of people and am looking for my next lens. I love the sharpness of prime lenses and was thinking about a 105mm (which is also a great macro lens) What do you wedding and portrait photographers find you use the most?
I hope to upgrade cameras in the future so a lens that works on a DX and FX full frame body would be ideal.
Another photographer friend and I both have the 105; I've not used it for portraits, since my emphasis is nature and wildlife photography. That said, I've used it with great results in macro work - insects, flowers, etc. My friend, on the other hand, uses his for portraits, and absolutely loves it for that application. He had a portrait session the other day with his granddaughters, and the shots were stunning. In short, it is a versatile and consistent lens for both applications. I find it useful to read reviews on B&H Photo Video and Amazon for input from other real users. Good luck!
The 105 is a very flattering lens, helps to shape the face and a big aperture (2.8) helps with available light and creating that dreamy bokeh as background. Now on the DX camera, it will scale up to 158mm, which *might* change the dynamics a bit.
The nice part about a longer lens is facial "features" (ok, wrinkles) are somewhat compressed so not as obvious. And, as others have mentioned, it's a great macro lens. It's the one I have. It is a bit pricey, but there is no doubt as to its excellent quality.
I use my Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G all the time for not only portraits, it pretty much lives on my camera. It's an amazing lens - so so sharp and gorgeous bokeh.
I'm upgrading to full-frame (the D800!!) in a few months, and my 50mm will still work on it because it has a 'crop senor' mode. Not sure about any other full frame cameras though.
I got my 50mm for $120 AU too, so it didn't exactly break the bank :)
@coastandcactus Thanks for the review, I really want this lens, because I believe it will be versatile for me. I want to get into a bit of macro and so far landscape has not been my thing, so I think it will work well for me. Thanks. @rockinrobyn@pschtyckque@chamomile Yes, I wouldn't mind getting a nifty fifty too, it is much more affordable, but I like the macro aspect of the 105mm. I like the idea of the 1.8 (maybe I should get both) @mikehamm Thank you Mike for the input...I am becoming more convinced of the 105mm.
Have you considered the 60mm macro? That's what I use. It is a full frame lens and, I think, best suits the macro and portrait need. At times it seems a little short for macro, though I no longer mind not getting a 1:1 reproduction of a bug. Backing up also helps with the shallow depth of field, giving, IMO, a clearer macro image. As fas as portraiture, I find the 60mm on a crop sensor a little strong; I'm backing up a lot. In some cases, I just don't have the space to get the shot. I couldn't imagine using the 105mm!
I love my 105mm macro, but I don't use it for portraits. The 85mm has better bokeh. An 80-200mm is versatile - you can get head shots without being right in their face.
I am next investing in the 85mm all of my research points me there for portraits! ..Its supposed to be an AWESOME lens just put out by Nikon last month!! ohhh i cant wait!!!
I love my 85mm for porttraits, as @mikew said beautiful brokeh and creamy skin, it also has a fairly fast shutter speed, I also love the 50mm 1.8 it is better for indoors as you don't have to back up as far.
I like the 100mm macro but a wide angle 35mm 1.8mm is next on my list :)
(opps sorry I am canon ;p)
I have a Nikon D90 and a 50mm 1.4 which is awesome, love it. Have just bought the 105mm and using it a bit now. Have done a few portraits, and so far loving it. Both awesome.
@newbie Stacie i believe the 85mm prime is an excellent choice for portraits and i believe it came out in April Not May. All of the research i have done on it makes me think it will be an excellent lens ...I was going to get it myself when it first came out but i dropped my d90 and as it was in the shop, i purchesed and upgraded to the D7000 so now have to wait a few months or for a few more holidays to come up so i can get a new lens!! lol! Plus it just cost me 300,00 to fix my d90 and Thank God i had a warrenty still on my 70-300mm ( another of my favorites) . I have a 50mm for strictly macro but it is a Sigma 1:2.8 and i love it. its a little less expensive then the Nikon 50mm but works great! You might want to look into the Sigma len's as they have a pretty good reputation and at better prices if this is an issue! :)
@ellimae Yes, I am not against Sigma or maybe Tamron, but I hear only some of their lenses make the cut. Thanks for the input. @cmc1200 That is a good point. These are the things I want to know. It will be a bit of a spell before I get a new camera so knowing that the 105mm might be a bit ridiculous on a crop sensor is what I need to know. I was actually thinking of that wondering how far I would have to be away from my subject to get a good shot. @ellimae Hmmm...This might be the better option for me on my cropped sensor camera it seems. @pizzaboy Thanks Mike...I am happy for the help of this site!
I just bought the 105 Macro to use for portraits and macro on my FX camera, can't wait till it comes.
On my DX camera, I love the 50mm 1.4 (due to crop I think it is around 75mm which is great for portraits).
The 105mm may be too long for portraits on your DX so my recommendation would be get the 50mm 1.4 first if you don't have one.
I have both the 50mm 1.4 and the 105mm. First, I love the 105mm macro. It is usually the lens on my camera because I shoot mostly nature/macro. I have shot portraits outdoors with it and it does a great job but I find it a little long especially indoors. My first choice for portraits would be my 50mm 1.4
@lstasel Thank you Laura after reading everyone's comments, I think I am going to leave the 105 for now, until I get a full frame body. I guess everyone should have a 50mm, I think I am going to have to get 2 lenses. A zoom and either a 50mm or an 85mm....Cheers for your help.
@newbie Hey Stacey, after reading through this post seems be be plenty of good advice, one thing they have not said is to go and buy a 70-200 f2.8. Buying a Nikon or third party f2.8 lens will be one of the best things you invest in, Portraits, sports/wildlife and indoor/concert photography all in one lens.
Its all good having another prime but you are really limited plus the resale on fast glass is very very good whether that be for near new or secondhand working lens. @chamomile not sure why you would want to buy a 3.5k FX camera and run DX mode, Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G is full frame lens
@flagged You know what? I was over at my neighbors on the weekend and he had a Cannon, but a Tamron 70-300. He took a few pics with it and showed me, and I really liked the result. I have been pining for a zoom lens also. I think you may be right. I need a zoom for more versatlity. I think the 105mm etc I will leave until I upgrade to a full frame. I think the 2.8 aperature will suit my needs anyway. Thanks so much, because I love all your photos and I am pretty sure you have the same camera as me? Any experience with Tamron lenses? My neigbor says his is great and he got it for a steal off Amazon.
I have a 105 mm which transferred over from film days to my D700 (full frame). It has a low aperture (1.8) and I've used it to photograph my children in low window light beautifully.
I have a hard time making the conversions...but if we're talking old school film dimensions go fit the 105 or if you want a zoom 80-200 for ports. I have found 80-100mm perfect for full frame faces with little distortion.
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I'm upgrading to full-frame (the D800!!) in a few months, and my 50mm will still work on it because it has a 'crop senor' mode. Not sure about any other full frame cameras though.
I got my 50mm for $120 AU too, so it didn't exactly break the bank :)
@rockinrobyn @pschtyckque @chamomile Yes, I wouldn't mind getting a nifty fifty too, it is much more affordable, but I like the macro aspect of the 105mm. I like the idea of the 1.8 (maybe I should get both)
@mikehamm Thank you Mike for the input...I am becoming more convinced of the 105mm.
I like the 100mm macro but a wide angle 35mm 1.8mm is next on my list :)
(opps sorry I am canon ;p)
@cmc1200 That is a good point. These are the things I want to know. It will be a bit of a spell before I get a new camera so knowing that the 105mm might be a bit ridiculous on a crop sensor is what I need to know. I was actually thinking of that wondering how far I would have to be away from my subject to get a good shot.
@ellimae Hmmm...This might be the better option for me on my cropped sensor camera it seems.
@pizzaboy Thanks Mike...I am happy for the help of this site!
On my DX camera, I love the 50mm 1.4 (due to crop I think it is around 75mm which is great for portraits).
The 105mm may be too long for portraits on your DX so my recommendation would be get the 50mm 1.4 first if you don't have one.
Also check out http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikkor.htm
Its all good having another prime but you are really limited plus the resale on fast glass is very very good whether that be for near new or secondhand working lens.
@chamomile not sure why you would want to buy a 3.5k FX camera and run DX mode, Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G is full frame lens
I have a hard time making the conversions...but if we're talking old school film dimensions go fit the 105 or if you want a zoom 80-200 for ports. I have found 80-100mm perfect for full frame faces with little distortion.