Which Lens?
Nov 12, 2012 17:11:53 #
I could write a book on how much I don't know about lenses. My daughter has a Nikon D3100 and is considering getting a 'dedicated' (Nikon) lens (50mm 1.8) basically for portraits. She presently has an 18-55 mm which is not so well suited for low light. She is using continuous light instead of strobe and it's my thinking she could benefit with the 50mm, more suitable for portraits and gain the larger aperture. Am I right so far?
Looking at both manual and auto "D" and "G" f1.8. Which would you who know suggest as the better of the two for portraits.
The salesperson told me the "G", auto lens would render 'softer' dept, what he calls 'Boca'?? He says the difference is due to the G having more blades?? I have no idea what boca is.
Please... wise me up on this entire situation. What is your advice. Cost is a factor but if the G offers enough advantage, that's the way she'll go.
Thanks.
Looking at both manual and auto "D" and "G" f1.8. Which would you who know suggest as the better of the two for portraits.
The salesperson told me the "G", auto lens would render 'softer' dept, what he calls 'Boca'?? He says the difference is due to the G having more blades?? I have no idea what boca is.
Please... wise me up on this entire situation. What is your advice. Cost is a factor but if the G offers enough advantage, that's the way she'll go.
Thanks.
Nov 12, 2012 17:22:23 #
He probably was referring to 'Bokeh effect' that is the blurring of the background.
Nov 12, 2012 17:28:04 #
tramsey wrote:
He probably was referring to 'Bokeh effect' that is the blurring of the background.
Bokeh only refers to the quality of the out of focus areas, not just that they are out of focus. More blades usually indicate a better lens which may have better bokeh.
http://www.digicamhelp.com/taking-photos/advanced-techniques/bokeh/
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/bokeh.htm
Nov 12, 2012 17:30:04 #
Joe I see the first chapter of your new book..."I found the Path"...LOL
Yes the 1.8 is a much better lens....but for me..I'm looking at pointing this machine at people in the next month or so....so I'm leaning towards the 85 1.8D.
Yes the 1.8 is a much better lens....but for me..I'm looking at pointing this machine at people in the next month or so....so I'm leaning towards the 85 1.8D.
Nov 12, 2012 18:02:30 #
You may want to send a "PM" to MTShooter of this forum. I think I recall seeing a post of him discussing this very lens.
Papa Joe wrote:
I could write a book on how much I don't know abou... (show quote)
Nov 12, 2012 19:26:38 #
Hi Bret,
Evidently your choice is the 85mm over the 50? Do you feel the 85 is better for portraits, and why? Just that it gets you a bit closer or is there a different reason? Thanks for your input.
Evidently your choice is the 85mm over the 50? Do you feel the 85 is better for portraits, and why? Just that it gets you a bit closer or is there a different reason? Thanks for your input.
Nov 12, 2012 19:27:29 #
Nov 12, 2012 19:47:58 #
I think with that lens...you have more "room" to work with. Remember thats a prime lens....and so you can do 3 things...move the lens/camera...move the subject....or move the background. You could also use the 105...135DC....the list goes on and on..even a 50mm lens can work.
Nov 12, 2012 20:13:42 #
GoofyNewfie wrote:
Bokeh only refers to the quality of the out of focus areas, not just that they are out of focus. More blades usually indicate a better lens which may have better bokeh.
http://www.digicamhelp.com/taking-photos/advanced-techniques/bokeh/
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/bokeh.htm
tramsey wrote:
He probably was referring to 'Bokeh effect' that is the blurring of the background.
Bokeh only refers to the quality of the out of focus areas, not just that they are out of focus. More blades usually indicate a better lens which may have better bokeh.
http://www.digicamhelp.com/taking-photos/advanced-techniques/bokeh/
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/bokeh.htm
Oh, there is something else I didn't know. Thanks for the links and straightening me out. :thumbup:
Nov 12, 2012 22:33:29 #
I would go with the 50m 1.8 D a very nice sharp lens and very inexpensive. On a DX body you wiIll have a 75mm that is very nice for portraits.
Nov 13, 2012 07:33:30 #
Be advised that any Nikon "D" lens won't auto-focus on your D3100. These lenses don't have their own internal focusing motor, and depend on the camera for that function. The D3100 doesn't have it's own focus motor. You are limited to the "G" lenses which are more expensive, naturally.
Nov 13, 2012 07:59:06 #
Papa Joe wrote:
Hi Bret,
Evidently your choice is the 85mm over the 50? Do you feel the 85 is better for portraits, and why? Just that it gets you a bit closer or is there a different reason? Thanks for your input.
Evidently your choice is the 85mm over the 50? Do you feel the 85 is better for portraits, and why? Just that it gets you a bit closer or is there a different reason? Thanks for your input.
If you use a 'Standard' lens (50mm on FF and approx 31mm on Crop Sensor) you will create distortion of facial features. i.e. the nose will appear larger , ears smaller etc. Therefore, we use a longer focal length lens, often referred to as a 'Short Telephoto', when shooting portraits. There's considerable debate whether a 50mm or a 85mm is best on a crop sensor for the job, but both will give you good low-distortion results. So, it really comes down to cost. I prefer the 85mm because you are less in the subjects face, but it is a much more expensive lens than the 'Nifty-Fifty' which is very cheap and a magnificent lens.
As previously noted, you will not have autofocus if you go for a 'D' series lens. Personally, I prefer to manually focus for portraits anyway, so that would not be a consideration for me.
Nov 13, 2012 08:43:32 #
Papa Joe wrote:
I could write a book on how much I don't know abou... (show quote)
Just to add some additional considerations: at least give some attention to the 35mm 1 8 G.
Nov 13, 2012 08:44:00 #
Papa Joe wrote:
I could write a book on how much I don't know abou... (show quote)
The f/1.8 is an excellent lens. There are dozens of reviews online. As others have said, a longer lens might be better for portrait work.
As for bokeh, you can find hundreds of online references to that. It's a whole other world! Good bokeh, bad bokeh - big deal. Bokeh gives a nice effect, and unless you're selling your pictures based on bokeh, I wouldn't get too upset about how good your bokeh is. I'm more concerned about my karma than my bokeh. :D
Nov 13, 2012 08:46:43 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I'm more concerned about my karma than my bokeh. :D
Love it!
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