TampaRalph Loc: Tampa, FL

That is an FX lens, and my understanding is that on a DX body that would be equivalent to a 127mm, which is bit long for portraits. Or am I still not understanding the "FX lens/DX sensor" conundrum?

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

No, you have it right; the 85mm will be 127mm on the DX sensor.

You multiply the focal length by 1.5 regardless if the lens is FX or DX; focal length is focal length.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Not too long in my experience.
I often use the 70-200 with my Nikon FX camera. (About like the 50-150 I mentioned earlier that I use with my DX sensored Fuji)
A longer lens can reduce how much (distracting) background you include.
https://petapixel.com/2016/01/04/selecting-a-portrait-lens-with-correct-focal-length/
One thing to keep in mind though is how much room you have to work with.
If you’re outside, there is usually not a limit.
Indoors is another matter.

whwiden

If you want portraits now on dx, 50mm 1.8G is best, as it allows for a planned FF upgrade and is a 75mm equivalent. The 35mm dx is less good for head shots but fine for environmental portraits. The 40mm would also work.

But as your current lenses lack a fast prime, I would go for f/1.8. In good light, with room, the 55-200mm is not a bad portrait option.

The 35mm dx will work for the most part on full frame in a pinch.

adm

Sounds like a great idea for a song! Unfortunately, few non-photographers would understand the dilemma. Seriously, I would not go any shorter than 50mm on DX for portraits. The 50mm f1/.8 may be your best value option.

WJShaheen Loc: Gold Canyon, AZ

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

Lots of people use 100mm or more for portraits. Especially outdoors, it helps to be able to stand off from your subject, and you can isolate from the background better with the longer length lens. The only reason you would want a shorter lens is in a studio where your working distance may be limited.

TampaRalph Loc: Tampa, FL

Based on all of the great advice given in this thread, I've strayed from my original choices and decided to go with the 50mm 1.8g for now. It fits my budget, will do what I need it to do and gives me a lens I can use with an FX body if and when I decide to upgrade.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to offer your opinions and expertise!

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Good choice!

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

I've actually gone back to basics, running around with the Nikon 35mm DX lens on my D7500 just like I did back in my early days. Let me know how that 50mm lens works out for you; I have been considering a mild fixed telephoto.

Trustforce Loc: Chicago, Illinois

Ralph, the only thing you need to think about is lens quality at what price. A DX lens will work on a FX body (with the FX camera automatically switching to a DX crop mode on the sensor), and a FX lens will work on a DX body automatically. The only thing to think about is the quality of the "glass" and your future needs. If there is not a snowball's chance in hell that you would ever get a FX body, great, just buy the best DX lens you can afford (and if that is the case, then forget DX primes, just get a better DX zoom than you currently own).

BUT, if you are not wedded to staying forever with DX, save money and wait to buy a lens with less compromises in photo quality. I don't regret spending the money to get my 18-200mm DX lens, as it was a great "walk-around" lens for trips, and I left my 18-55mm and 55-300mm lenses at home. But with my D850, these lenses fall short. Luckily, I got an excellent 24-120mm f/4 FX lens, and I've a bunch of excellent glass in primes from the days of using my film cameras (since they all have the Aperature Index ring (AI) modification, they work on the D850 in manual mode). In the future, I'll get more AF-S lenses, but right now I'm having fun and being blow away with the image qualities of the photos I'm taking. Sure, the D850 cost a bundle, but I waited until I got the camera body and features I wanted. Have fun with what you've got now, and learn to explore the D3300's capacities first, then think about what's next!

Good luck,
Steve

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

I completely disagree with this post.

The OP stated he has a D3300 and very little money to spend on lenses. Why are people so insistent that he only consider FX lenses that are much more expensive and will bring little added benefit to the OP? Then Steve starts talking about his D850, for no reason.

Buying an expensive FX lens when the OP has an entry level DX camera and no real opportunity to upgrade to an expensive FX body any time soon is tantamount to stupidity. The concept of "buy once, cry once" is for children and should stay there.

Photography is evolving rapidly these days. The next camera for the OP may well be a mirrorless model at some point and delaying the purchase of an extra lens for a year because he should save his money and get an expensive FX lens is ludicrous.

The 50mm he's looking at will be great for his needs and fits his budget; leave him be.

Trustforce Loc: Chicago, Illinois

Gee Pegasus--you totally missed the point! The main thrust of my response is use what you have to the best advantage. Sure, future considerations might apply, but get the best "bang for the buck" now. I mention my switching to FX body as a cautionary tale, not to suggest to Ralph that he needs to think to switch to FX any time soon.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

The 50mm lens will give you the versatility of use on a full frame camera, but if you are worried about a few hundred dollars, it appears as though it will be a while before you will be able to afford a full frame camera. Consider that 35mm or 40mm is a "normal" focal length lens for a DX camera, but a 50mm lens, although "normal" on an FX camera, is slightly telephoto on an FX camera.

Regarding the choice between the 35mm and 40mm lenses, if you need the capability of a macro lens, go with the 40mm. Otherwise, I would go with the faster f1.8 35mm lens.

Tommy II Loc: Northern Illinois

You won’t be unhappy. A 50mm 1.8 is a great all around lense. When I first got back into photography with my first digital Nikon, I was really lucky in being able too pick up a beautiful little like new, used 50mm 1.4 auto focus. That was 8 years ago, and I still love using it. And like you said, if I ever jump into a full fame camera in the future, it comes with. I think you’ve Good decision