Portraits and the Nikon 50mm 1.4 (not happy)
Aug 11, 2015 20:34:05 #
wj cody
Loc: springfield illinois
hello,
coming in late on this, but here goes. the reason for large maximum apertures is simply the ability, when looking through the camera or digital imaging device in dim light, to gather as much light through the viewfinder, thereby making it easier to focus.
"fast' lenses are not necessarily better ones. hence the 180mm leitz f3.4 versus the 180m f2.8 nikkor.
the reader who stated the 85-105mm focal length for protraits is pretty much correct. leitz specified 60-65mm for the 35mm format.
coming in late on this, but here goes. the reason for large maximum apertures is simply the ability, when looking through the camera or digital imaging device in dim light, to gather as much light through the viewfinder, thereby making it easier to focus.
"fast' lenses are not necessarily better ones. hence the 180mm leitz f3.4 versus the 180m f2.8 nikkor.
the reader who stated the 85-105mm focal length for protraits is pretty much correct. leitz specified 60-65mm for the 35mm format.
Aug 18, 2015 10:37:26 #
First of all, try a 105 mm...it does not flatten the image as much: but you did quite well.
streetmarty wrote:
In my new quest to go from street photographer to ... (show quote)
Aug 23, 2015 05:19:31 #
streetmarty wrote:
I did not know this. What would you shoot at 1.4, if anything? Thank you for the help.
I'd use the 1.4 to shoot in very low light. That's what it's good for.
The reality is; close up (within 3 feet or less) a 1.4 aperture is pretty dang shallow and not necessary in ample light or flash.
The other reality is that few lenses are tack sharp wide open at 1.4...that's just life.
Stop that thing down to f/2 or f/2.4 or 2.8 and you'll feel better about it.
I've had ever Canon L lens under the sun and I can tell you that the $2000 50mm f/1.2L is even worse wide open. It's soft and focus shifts like the desert wind.
Get close, stop down, and get near a nice large window for some soft side light.
Aug 23, 2015 23:28:37 #
YOU CAN take portraits with a f/1.4 lens wide open. You have to be careful, get the eyes very close to being on the same plane, and do not get TOOOOOO close.
To suggest you cannot use it wide open is not correct, but you will get some OOF images if the person moves out of the DOF plane!
Here are some from a recent session - all at 1.4. The first one is with the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens, the other three with the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G.
I had a couple where she moved just a touch after focus and one eye is JUST not quite sharp.
To suggest you cannot use it wide open is not correct, but you will get some OOF images if the person moves out of the DOF plane!
Here are some from a recent session - all at 1.4. The first one is with the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens, the other three with the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G.
I had a couple where she moved just a touch after focus and one eye is JUST not quite sharp.
50mm @ f/1.4
Aug 27, 2015 12:48:48 #
For portraits with my T5i I generally use EFS 18-55 lens ISO-200 f11@125
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