85mm vs 105
Nov 17, 2014 07:38:55 #
I am getting my Christmas wish list together. I have been doing more portraits lately using my 50mm prime. I think its time to move up a little. Most photogs I know use the 85mm as their go to for portraits but lately I have seen a move toward the 105 macro being used. They also use the 105 for wedding ring shots and other details. Soooo, which do you all prefer for portraits, the 85mm or 105 or is there something out there even better?
Nov 17, 2014 08:13:37 #
The 100-105 will give better backround blur as will longer focal lengths - many pros use 200-300mm ! The greater subject distance is also less obtrusive ....
Nov 17, 2014 08:39:38 #
Jcmarino wrote:
I am getting my Christmas wish list together. I have been doing more portraits lately using my 50mm prime. I think its time to move up a little. Most photogs I know use the 85mm as their go to for portraits but lately I have seen a move toward the 105 macro being used. They also use the 105 for wedding ring shots and other details. Soooo, which do you all prefer for portraits, the 85mm or 105 or is there something out there even better?
The choice is primarily based upon the body they will be used on. A 105mm lens is pretty long to use on a crop sensor body when the 1.5X crop factor is applied (157.5mm field of view). It does work well on a full frame body.
Nov 17, 2014 09:03:00 #
Jcmarino wrote:
I am getting my Christmas wish list together. I have been doing more portraits lately using my 50mm prime. I think its time to move up a little. Most photogs I know use the 85mm as their go to for portraits but lately I have seen a move toward the 105 macro being used. They also use the 105 for wedding ring shots and other details. Soooo, which do you all prefer for portraits, the 85mm or 105 or is there something out there even better?
I prefer longer than 85mm but it's a preference.
My favorite portrait lens of all time was the Canon 135 f/2.
Nov 17, 2014 09:23:10 #
Jcmarino wrote:
I am getting my Christmas wish list together. I have been doing more portraits lately using my 50mm prime. I think its time to move up a little. Most photogs I know use the 85mm as their go to for portraits but lately I have seen a move toward the 105 macro being used. They also use the 105 for wedding ring shots and other details. Soooo, which do you all prefer for portraits, the 85mm or 105 or is there something out there even better?
Most people are using the Macro because they happen to have it anyway and want double duty out of it to justify the cost. The Canon 100 f2 and 135 F2 are great lenses - as are the Nikon 105 and 135 F2 DC. Canon also has a 135 soft focus. If you do not mind manual focus, the Nikon 105 f1.8 is also great ! Serious portrait photogs will have a fast longer focal length dedicated to portraits.
Nov 18, 2014 06:53:24 #
Hi JC. Don't go look at the 135DC.:) It will blow your Christmas list away.:) But this is the lens I use to use when I was doing school pictures and weddings. I still use it for family stuff now. But the 105 would be my pick of your 2 lenses. It will keep you back farther from the person and it is tack sharp.
Erv
Erv
Jcmarino wrote:
I am getting my Christmas wish list together. I have been doing more portraits lately using my 50mm prime. I think its time to move up a little. Most photogs I know use the 85mm as their go to for portraits but lately I have seen a move toward the 105 macro being used. They also use the 105 for wedding ring shots and other details. Soooo, which do you all prefer for portraits, the 85mm or 105 or is there something out there even better?
Nov 18, 2014 07:30:28 #
Erv wrote:
Hi JC. Don't go look at the 135DC.:) It will blow your Christmas list away.:) But this is the lens I use to use when I was doing school pictures and weddings. I still use it for family stuff now. But the 105 would be my pick of your 2 lenses. It will keep you back farther from the person and it is tack sharp.
Erv
Erv
Thanks everyone, you have convinced me on the 105! Now I can't wait till Christmas.
Nov 18, 2014 07:49:57 #
Nov 18, 2014 08:07:47 #
Nov 18, 2014 10:18:59 #
Jcmarino wrote:
I am getting my Christmas wish list together. I have been doing more portraits lately using my 50mm prime. I think its time to move up a little. Most photogs I know use the 85mm as their go to for portraits but lately I have seen a move toward the 105 macro being used. They also use the 105 for wedding ring shots and other details. Soooo, which do you all prefer for portraits, the 85mm or 105 or is there something out there even better?
Yes, Full Frame or Crop Factor? Depends a bit on what you have.
I sometimes use a 50mm as a 77mm on my CF body. But the lens characteristics are not like a 85 or 105 for background blur. Like another person commented, I'll use my 100mm Macro as a portrait lens but it is a bit long (as 154mm) on my CF camera. I really should buy a 75mm/80mm/85mm prime for that use. If I had a FF camera and shot a lot of portraits I would probably want both a 85mm and 105mm. With film I used the 100mm Macro a lot for everything.
Nov 18, 2014 10:22:00 #
Jcmarino wrote:
I have a Nikon 610 Full frame. Can't wait to try the 105.
Yes, for that camera, the 105mm would be awesome!
Nov 18, 2014 12:35:42 #
Finally Nikon updated their 85/1.4 to a G&N version, and I was first on line. It replaced my 85/1.8D. IMHO, you really have to try to take a bad portrait with this new lens. I just love it!!! All that being said, I do also use my 70-200 for portrait work, so I guess the real answer is whatever works best for you.
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