Best Nikon lens for Portraits

agompert · 4 Mar 2010

Most of the work I do is with portraiture, in and outside of the studio, I have a couple of lenses for my D700, but I was just wondering what everyone's favorite lenses are for portraits and what makes it so.

MartinH32 · 4 Mar 2010

Hi,
In the studio I use my 24-70mm f2.8 Nikon, if I'm out and about depending on what I am shooting I have a 135mm f2.0 defocus Nikon or use the 24-70mm. Neither have image stabilisers though.

Arkady · 4 Mar 2010

Ashley, please spell Lens properly...

I use anything from 50mm up to 300mm depending on the where the subject is placed and how I wish them to appear...

Usually a lens with a focal length of about 85-100mm is best for studio use...so I just use a 28-70 and a 70-200 for most of it...

desantnik · 4 Mar 2010

One of your biggest problems will be space... make sure that you don't get sucked into the lovely 135mm f2 and find you've not got enough studio space...

Arkady · 4 Mar 2010

desantnik said:
One of your biggest problems will be space... make sure that you don't get sucked into the lovely 135mm f2 and find you've not got enough studio space...

Actually that's a very good reason for a revised mortgage schedule...

infra_dread · 4 Mar 2010

Personally, I love the 85mm 1.4. If I need a bit of reach I just step a bit closer! Can't wait for the new one with VR, although it will probably be well on the wrong side of a grand.

specialman · 4 Mar 2010

85mm f/1.8 -great bokeh, great DoF wide open and ultra sharp. I've got the pre-'D' version which is apparently better than the more modern AF-D. I like it - test below taken shot with mine:

Lensflare · 4 Mar 2010

The 105 DC f2 doesn't need quite the same amount of room as the 135 version. I love mine, it is a very special lens - but to be honest the 24-70 and 70-200 do perfectly well, they just don't have that same feel the DC gives with its creamy softening.

ryanyboy · 4 Mar 2010

For portraits outside the 200 F2 is the kiddie for me. In a studio I tend to shoot with the 24-70 for groups but would use the new 70-200 if it was a single model and I had space. Shallow DOF isn't so important in a studio but outdoors the 200 f2 or the 84 1.4 would be my choice. I've not tried the DC lenses but they are supposed to be very good too.

cherryrig · 4 Mar 2010

I really like my 80-200mm AF-D (two ring model) Really nice DOF and very sharp

EdinburghGary · 4 Mar 2010

ryanyboy · 4 Mar 2010

Yep, I firmly believe that the further you are from the subject the better they look. Not very personal but they'll like what they see

Best Nikon lens for Portraits

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