Nikon says, "Use a tripod to reduce blur when photographing static subjects. It should be as sturdy as possible; avoid extending the legs or center column farther than necessary. A large head helps keep the camera steady." http://nps.nikonimaging.com/technical_solutions/d800_d800e_tips/shooting_techniques_static_subjects/

The last sentence was new info to me when I read it last week and not intuitive. Nor was it discussed here.

I have a Manfrotto Jr. geared head; should have bought the bigger one. I reasoned that my load was within the rating of the Jr. product but should have considered stability.

A UHH topic last week compared autofocus and manual focus. I just read a Nikon tip at http://nps.nikonimaging.com/technical_solutions/d800_d800e_tips/shooting_techniques_static_subjects/:

Press the button to magnify the view in the monitor by up to 23X for precise focusing with live view. This is particularly effective with manual focus.

This Nikon tip is apparently applicable at least to many static shots with a tripod.

My takeaway? Nikon thinks manual focus can readily outperform Nikon's flagship AF system. Even having known about live view and magnification of the camera's TTL image preview, I am surprised.

Jerry, appointment gets instant competent service; walk-ins are also served, just like CA DMV.

So, tell us,, which??
Why the low esteem?

Gazillion? I think Nikon has pushed out 95 million lenses since day 1.

Useful comment.

Even the 55mm micro Nikkor variants, which focus to infinity, gave way to a versatile 60mm.

The newest 58mm has a new DoF capability: Sato, Haruo and Koichi Ohshita (2016) “Nikkor Future Vision: Lens Design Concepts,” http://nikkor.com/technology/02.html

Opening screen of the vid satisfies -- the rule of thirds.

Went through the SS for myself and then for the wife.

Total competence. Very impressive computer setup (and I should know). Optimal queuing process. Physically clean and secure. I wrote a letter of appreciation for one employee; how could I not??

Try San Mateo.

Here are some considerations for doing portraits with manual focus or autofocus. I’m using Nikon to illustrate.

1. Some autofocus systems are better than others. Even with a superior portrait lens on a superior camera with a superior autofocus system (EXPEED 4) I am often surprised at how far the camera can move without auto refocusing. Surely this fear is absurd but I do force it to refocus when this happens or else I move to manual focus. My point is, the more control the photographer exerts, the faster the shooter comes to understand successes and failures.

2. The contrast autofocus of Nikon’s Live View is suited to focusing on faces and other fairly stationary subjects. Live View works across the frame but you can pick the focus point. Can Live View refocus in response to a sitter’s movements? Don’t know but worth investigating with a sitter.

3. If you are using a high-pixel-count camera conceived with attention to studio work like the D810, for example, Nikon recommends a tripod and Live View.
http://nps.nikonimaging.com/technical_solutions/d800_d800e_tips/shooting_techniques_static_subjects/. I would also consider a focus rail. This configuration allows for previewing the shot, possibly magnified or on a large monitor. These techniques make photographers’ efforts in manual mode more competitive with autofocus. Likewise, these three techniques work well with autofocus.
4. The Live View image comes from the sensor and so works around any viewfinder issues mentioned in the discussion here. Changes made during previewing are sent to the live view. Similarly, the need to change settings is more likely to show up. You can change the aperture of a Live View preview to manage depth of field and point of focus.

5. Some autofocus lenses have short throws – their focus rings have little travel distance. My 105mm G has an effective focus-ring rotation of no more than 90 degrees under its manual setting. In contrast, some Zeiss manual lenses have much longer throws, which allows for more manual precision.

6. Some manual-focus lenses have narrow focus rings; Nikon has been known to update lenses to wider rings and these are the norm.

Working with manual focus sets the table for more advanced focusing techniques involving depth of field and focal plane. For example, Nikon has an interesting full-body portrait taken with their PC-E 85mm lens; the shifted focal plane pushes attention to the face. Similarly, the Nikkor 58mm 1.4 G offers a progressive intensification of DoF, according to http://nikkor.com/technology/02.html; this is independent of how focus is achieved.

Green flaring is a common problem with uncoated glass.

I suppose there could be some coatings that do not do well with green flare, possibly on your lens.

The X4 polarizer coating is double-sided and explicitly addresses green flare. Maybe they make a CPL filter that would fit your lens.

That said, adequate answers are likely in the discussion already.

As a child in the rural Hill Country of Texas, bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and wine cups were my first encounter with beauty. Did not understand it then and still struggling.

LMAO

Nikon considers 105mm the perfect length for head and shoulders. That would be accurate and flattering both.

On a lighthearted note, if your subject has huge ears that stick out, a 50mm will shrink them for you.

A pleasure.

Nikon has a lens simulator that shows pictures at various focal lengths with angle of view noted and impact on perspective visible for each focal length. Free. Browser-based. Fast. Easy. Instructions.

See: http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/simulator/