Recommendations on a good prime for portraiture...

[Kyle]

Hi all

I'm having trouble deciding on a decent prime for portrait photos.

I had my heart set on a 50mm f1.4. but have heard some average reports on it.

Has anyone had any bad experiences with this lens?

Or even good ones?

Thoughts/suggestions/flaming for not searching most welcome

[myarhidia]

I had my heart set on a 50mm f1.4. but have heard some average reports on it.

Really? I've only heard good things about it. From what I have read/know, the 85/f1.4 is the ideal portrait lens @ over 3 times the price of the above.

[Geoff]

The 50mm 1.4 is a pearler of a lens, having said that I recently tried Yi-p's 35mm F2 which was also VERY nice.

The 50mm 1.4 (or even 1.8 ) is a right place to start in the search for a good portrait lens.

I'm currently trying to justify the illustrious 85mm 1.4

[Kyle]

Thanks for the info fellas

Out of the 35mm and 50mm, optically which one might be better?

Also, The sigma 30mm f1.4 hsm, wouldit be a worthy contender?

[Matt. K]

For full length portraits you can't beat the 50mm. For head and shoulders then the 85mm.

[LOZ]

Kyle

Keep your eyes open for a second hand 85 1:8 they are about 10 to 18 ? years old they are a great lens . I purchased mine last year for $100


LOZ

[MCWB]

Depends how long you want to go, and why you want a prime! If you're getting the 70-200 VR, that makes a pretty nice portrait lens (although big and heavy). I recently got an AI 105 f/2.5 that's pretty nice, its newer brother the 105 DC is a corker! Add to that the standard 85 f/1.4 and 50 f/1.4. The Sigma 30 f/1.4 looks interesting, I just bought one second hand so we'll see how it goes.

[Kyle]

Depends how long you want to go, and why you want a prime! If you're getting the 70-200 VR, that makes a pretty nice portrait lens (although big and heavy). I recently got an AI 105 f/2.5 that's pretty nice, its newer brother the 105 DC is a corker! Add to that the standard 85 f/1.4 and 50 f/1.4. The Sigma 30 f/1.4 looks interesting, I just bought one second hand so we'll see how it goes.

Bosk's?

Bastard

[xorl]

The 50mm f/1.4 is an excellent lens. I've found it is very useful on digital as a great multi-purpose lens. Highly recommended. However, some people might find it a little wide for head shots. I think it's ok. People often use the 85mm on film for portraits, the 50mm has a 75mm field of view on digital, which is still close.

If you want something longer consider the 85mm f/1.8. The 85mm f/1.4 is awesome, but expensive. Another alternative is the 105mm f/2.8 AF-D Micro-Nikkor. I use the 105mm along with the 50mm for portraits, depending on desired perspective and FoV.

[Glen]

Kyle,

not sure if you are talking Nikon or Canon, but if talking Nikon as Matt said you cant go past the 50 and 85mm lens, in either 1.8 or 1.4, all are excellent. The other choice if you want good bokeh on a metering manual is the 45P

[padey]

My primary lens choices are the 28 and 85mm.

Here is an 28 f1.4


Here is an 85 f1.4


I have a 50mm but I don’t use it as much, just because I just don’t find that length as desirable as the wide or tele.

If you are budget conscious, there are plenty of f2.8 primes around the 25-35 range and you can get an 85 f1.8 or an older AIS 85f1.4 for good prices.

[Wocka]

I have the Sigma 30mm 1.4. Absolutely love it. Fantastic indoors.

[Kyle]

Thanks Andrew and wocka

Down to the 28f1.4 nikon and 30f1.4 sigma now

wocka, how quick is the sigma on focus?

[Wocka]

Kyle,

I don't have a lot to compare to, but I find it very quick and quiet.

Last night (after changing to the Sigma) I focused from the lounge room to the kitchen wall (difference of about 3.5m) and actually had to test it twice because the focus shifted extremely quickly and quietly.

Cheers,

[padey]

Thanks Andrew and wocka

Down to the 28f1.4 nikon and 30f1.4 sigma now

wocka, how quick is the sigma on focus?

You may want to check the price first. The last 28mm f1.4 i saw go on ebay went for $2700.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... %3AIT&rd=1

[Kyle]

eeek... lol.. Wrong one Might head down to ecs and have a play with some lenses this weekend

I meant to say the 24mm f2.8 i think..