Lens recommendation: My son wants me to do some Christmas scene family pictures. I haven't done much in this area. I have been researching lenses. I would like some recommendations. I...

dsiner Loc: Kent, WA

My son wants me to do some Christmas scene family pictures. I haven't done much in this area. I have been researching lenses. I would like some recommendations. I am shooting a Nikon D7200. From what i read the 85mm 1.4 lens seem to be popular for this type of work. I currently have, Nikon 18-55, 55-200 kit lenses, Tamron 16-300, Sigma 100-400 and a Nikon 35mm f1.8. These pictures will probably be done inside in a make shift studio with a couple backdrop scenes. I will be renting the lens.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

dsiner wrote:

My son wants me to do some Christmas scene family pictures. I haven't done much in this area. I have been researching lenses. I would like some recommendations. I am shooting a Nikon D7200. From what i read the 85mm 1.4 lens seem to be popular for this type of work. I currently have, Nikon 18-55, 55-200 kit lenses, Tamron 16-300, Sigma 100-400 and a Nikon 35mm f1.8. These pictures will probably be done inside in a make shift studio with a couple backdrop scenes. I will be renting the lens.

Yes, the 85mm is a fine lens.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

In that setting I’d go with the 18-55mm and take the 35mm along for when a faster lens might be important.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I use a Canon EF 85 f/1.2 for portraiture so the Nikkor 85 f/1.4 would be my recommendation.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

dsiner wrote:

My son wants me to do some Christmas scene family pictures. I haven't done much in this area. I have been researching lenses. I would like some recommendations. I am shooting a Nikon D7200. From what i read the 85mm 1.4 lens seem to be popular for this type of work. I currently have, Nikon 18-55, 55-200 kit lenses, Tamron 16-300, Sigma 100-400 and a Nikon 35mm f1.8. These pictures will probably be done inside in a make shift studio with a couple backdrop scenes. I will be renting the lens.

As previously recommended, the 85mm is a great portrait lens. I do get by using a 50mm f1.8. On a crop sensor I get a FOV of 75mm. But I'd rather have an 85mm prime lens. Maybe I'll get one in the future.

toxdoc42

If I am not mistaken, the 7200 is a cropped sensor camera. The 85 mm lens may require you to be further from the subjects than you would want since the view angle would be like about 120 mm . The kit lenses will probably give you enough flexibility to get the right mix of image size to distance from the subjects. I used a 50 mm 1:1.8 full image lens on my D3400 using available light and one flash bounced off of the ceiling to give a more natural look, and got wonderful photos. I have used that set-up with 3 "Neew" electronic flashes for such situations and that worked well also. Good luck, enjoy the get together.

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

85 f/1.4 might be a little tight for a family portrait. The 55mm or 35mm could be a better choice, depending on the setting. Actually the Tamron at 16mm might just be the best choice.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

Portraits? the 85mm........"Scenes?"......18-55

dsiner Loc: Kent, WA

Thanks for the feedback. Thinking about it, i will only be able to get 10' away at max so it sounds like the 85 might get tight. I was lookong at the fast lenses as I don't have a lot of studio lighting, only 2 with umbrella diffusers and a flash.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

dsiner wrote:

My son wants me to do some Christmas scene family pictures. I haven't done much in this area. I have been researching lenses. I would like some recommendations. I am shooting a Nikon D7200. From what i read the 85mm 1.4 lens seem to be popular for this type of work. I currently have, Nikon 18-55, 55-200 kit lenses, Tamron 16-300, Sigma 100-400 and a Nikon 35mm f1.8. These pictures will probably be done inside in a make shift studio with a couple backdrop scenes. I will be renting the lens.

85mm 1.4 is a great portrait lens.
If you are going to rent, consider the 24-70mm 2.8.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

For starters, I would experiment with my existing lenses to find a focal length that suits my needs. Then I might consider obtaining a prime closest to my desired needs, keeping in mind that there may be an unnoticeable or very little difference in my shots that would warrant a new lens. Further, the additional expense of a 1.4 in lieu of a 1.8, and I have both, is unwarranted for most of us. Many most likely would be unlikely to discern the difference between a prime and a kit lens. Just my opinion after purchasing too many lenses. Cheap enough to rent and experiment.

toxdoc42

The 1.4 50 mm lens is almost twice the price of a 1.8 of similar focal length. I agree with you the cost difference makes the 1.4 a silly investment for what my opinion is worth.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

SonyA580 wrote:

85 f/1.4 might be a little tight for a family portrait. The 55mm or 35mm could be a better choice, depending on the setting. Actually the Tamron at 16mm might just be the best choice.

I agree. Don't forget the 1.5x fov factor. I have the 50mm f1.8 and it's a great lens but on my D7100 I can't get the whole table in at Thanksgiving, if that gives you any idea. An alternative would be to lease a 24-70mm f2.8. It's an outstanding lens and it will give you some flexibility. I have one and it has become my go to lens. It works great on both my D7000 and D800.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

dsiner wrote:

My son wants me to do some Christmas scene family pictures. I haven't done much in this area. I have been researching lenses. I would like some recommendations. I am shooting a Nikon D7200. From what i read the 85mm 1.4 lens seem to be popular for this type of work. I currently have, Nikon 18-55, 55-200 kit lenses, Tamron 16-300, Sigma 100-400 and a Nikon 35mm f1.8. These pictures will probably be done inside in a make shift studio with a couple backdrop scenes. I will be renting the lens.

If you're planning on taking group shots on a crop camera like the D7200 in doors, 85mm will not go wide enough unless you're standing very far back. What you get should really depend on what you going to be taking. Depending upon that you may find that something like a 35mm or 50mm fast lens will work better for your needs. It's really hard to suggest what you should use since we don't know what your expectations are. For me, I would probably use my 35mm lens on my crop sensor camera.

cthahn

You are overloaded with lenses and you don't know which one to use. You already cover 85mm several times.