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Hi,
As a D850 owner and long time photographer, I'll answer. You want to shoot paintings, a 'flat field' subject.
Macro lenses are designed for this type of photography (unless the usually 3rd party lens vendor steals the word 'macro' to help sales volume). The current Nikon 60 mm macro is quite inexpensive in the used market. I have one that rarely gets used because it required that the camera/lens was very close to the subject - so close that you and the camera could block the light source.
I used to own the venerable Nikon 105 macro in film days. For my D850 and D800E in the studio, I use the Tamron 90 mm F/2.8 macro - greater working distance to the subject, flat field, excellent resolution/contrast, great value. Highly recommended.
For the other questions - What you shoot with depends upon what subjects you photograph. For animals, insects, etc., I use the Nikon 200-500 zoom which focuses to a very close 7.3 feet. The 24-70 mm is a great walk around lens for landscapes, street, general picture taking (the favorite of wedding photographers). I also have the Nikon 70-200 f/4 zoom when a bit more reach is needed than the 24-70. And I have a Tamron 15-30 zoom that was purchased for a trip to Yosemite and larger vistas than I typically shoot, but minimal distortion/vignetting.
Traveller_Jeff wrote:
Three questions directed only to users of the Nikon D850:
1. What is your "go-to" zoom lens of choice? Why?
2. What is your favorite prime lens? Why?
3. I photograph paintings no larger than 30"x36", and I need a prime that has little or no spherical aberration. I've found that my zoom lenses impart a curvature to the paintings' frames that need to be straightened out in post. I've used the nikkor 35mm prime on my D500 which eliminates that problem, but I'd like a full frame lens equivalent for my newly acquired D850. All suggestions much appreciated.
Three questions directed only to users of the Niko... (
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D850: my goto is 24-120 f4.
My favorite prime is 85mm f1.8
can't help on the 3 question
larryepage wrote:
Here are my answers to your questions:
1. Nikkor 24 - 70mm f/2.8, non-VR. It is convenient, performs well, is not too heavy to carry all day, and covers the vast majority of situations.
2. The nature of prime lenses precludes having a "favorite." I have a number of fixed focal length lenses that provide comparable performance. I select the one that best fits the need.
3. As has been mentioned, a flat-field macro/copy lens will do a much better job for you. For copy work with material of the size you describe, the Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 Micro should do a good job for you and provide convenient working distances.
Here are my answers to your questions: br br 1. N... (
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"the Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 Micro should do a good job" Yes, that's the lens that I have used extensively to copy art work. Plus the 105mm f2.8 macro.
martinfisherphoto wrote:
Most any lens will work, the trick is to keep your lens Level. When you point upward or downward you start bending the image, frame for painting. The D850 will correct most all barrel roll but not distortion due to angle of lens...
“The D850 will correct most all barrel roll but not distortion due to angle of lens...”
That's interesting, I place a torpedo level on the back of a camera to level it, & crop somewhat loosely enough so that if the picture isn't centered perfectly it doesn't matter. That's why I actually prefer the 60mm macro, unless the subject is really small.
Also, when I first started doing folk art I was driving myself crazy, thinking the art & camera weren't parallel, because the corners of the art work weren't always square:-)
First of all, I have to thank each of you Hoggers who often went far beyond expectations in providing a rich trove of useful information in response to my request. This willingness to help one another is what I hoped to find when I first joined UHH. Thank you for just being there to both learn and teach.
Traveller_Jeff wrote:
Three questions directed only to users of the Nikon D850:
1. What is your "go-to" zoom lens of choice? Why?
2. What is your favorite prime lens? Why?
3. I photograph paintings no larger than 30"x36", and I need a prime that has little or no spherical aberration. I've found that my zoom lenses impart a curvature to the paintings' frames that need to be straightened out in post. I've used the nikkor 35mm prime on my D500 which eliminates that problem, but I'd like a full frame lens equivalent for my newly acquired D850. All suggestions much appreciated.
Three questions directed only to users of the Niko... (
show quote)
I do the same thing for my clients on a Nikon D810 and I use My 55mm f1.2 S which was non Ai when I bought it in 1970 and did the conversion myself . It is a Manual Focus Lens you should be using a manual focus anyway. I set My Live view up so the center button on the joy stick will zoom 100% works great for sharp focus . The 1.2 S I believe are all non Ai but there are newer models that are . Quite a few on Ebay best ones from Japan...Any lens distortion is automatically removed in camera or in ACR .Adobe camera raw..I have done 36 x 48 images .
Zoom: Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8 go to for landscape
Zoom: Nikon 35-70mm f/3.5 go to for photojournalism
Prime: Nikon 35mm f/1.4
Zoom #2: Nikon 80-200mm f/4.5
I use the Nikon 35mm f/1.4 as a standard lens and also is used in low light situations. It is also a great urban street lens.
Traveller_Jeff wrote:
Three questions directed only to users of the Nikon D850:
1. What is your "go-to" zoom lens of choice? Why?
2. What is your favorite prime lens? Why?
3. I photograph paintings no larger than 30"x36", and I need a prime that has little or no spherical aberration. I've found that my zoom lenses impart a curvature to the paintings' frames that need to be straightened out in post. I've used the nikkor 35mm prime on my D500 which eliminates that problem, but I'd like a full frame lens equivalent for my newly acquired D850. All suggestions much appreciated.
Three questions directed only to users of the Niko... (
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I am getting to know my D850 right now, but I agree with CHG CANNON… try a 50mm. I’d try keeping the image back from the edges of the frame so you have room to crop out any edge distortion imparted by the lens. If you have the room, a longer lens will have less edge distortion.
I like my
28-300mm for general use, because it’s not too heavy and the camera makes up for its slower speed.
85mm and 70-200mm (heavy) for Portraits
I am glad I stepped up to the D850. You’ll like it.
Traveller_Jeff wrote:
Three questions directed only to users of the Nikon D850:
1. What is your "go-to" zoom lens of choice? Why?
2. What is your favorite prime lens? Why?
3. I photograph paintings no larger than 30"x36", and I need a prime that has little or no spherical aberration. I've found that my zoom lenses impart a curvature to the paintings' frames that need to be straightened out in post. I've used the nikkor 35mm prime on my D500 which eliminates that problem, but I'd like a full frame lens equivalent for my newly acquired D850. All suggestions much appreciated.
Three questions directed only to users of the Niko... (
show quote)
I have a Sigma 85mm f/1.8 Art Lena and it is perfect for what you need. I carry all Primeswiyh my D5 and D850, but I mainly shoot Sports, Professional and NCAA, plus I so a lot of Wildlife.
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 and Sigma 24-70 f/2.8
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