Fast/portrait lens for Nikon

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Ian T

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I'm looking for a fast, preferably zoom lens which will mainly be used for taking pictures of people. Previously I've used a 50mm at F1.8 to F2.8, but this is limited by the focal length - I need something wider.

I've been looking at Sigma's offerings. The 20mm f/1.8 EX DG Lens would be nice and wide, and allow me to shoot at 1.8, and costs around £250. Or, for around the same money, I could buy the 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens.

I'm swaying more towards the zoom lens as it'll allow greater flexibility than a prime. The downside is that I'm limited to 2.8, but then again this isn't a bad thing as at 1.8 sometimes I find myself suffering with the low DOF.

Any opinions or advice would be appreciated.
 
Yes it will, although 20mm isn't too wide. Perhaps my post was misleading though - portrait is the wrong word, it'll be pictures of people working mainly, so they might only be one part of the whole photo. Really, I just need something with a good focal range that is no smaller than F2.8 throughout.
 
The best ever portrait lens for Nikon was their own 105 f/2.5 prime lens - find an older example and you're laughing. It was pin-sharp and gave a lovely colour on skin tones.
You had to 'zoom' with your feet though...lol
 
Well, my 50mm is ok, but sometimes zooming with my feet won't be possible.
 
58mm voigtlander f1.4 - on a cropped sensor it works out to capture the same as a 85mm lens which is meant to be the portrait sweet spot, however it's manual focus which some people won't like. Why not go for a nifty fifty? the 1.8 version is cheap as chips and very sharp.

One of my most used lenses which is very sharp even wide open is my 17-50mm 2.8 tamron lens... thats about £230ish (at least it was when I bought mine) and is probbaly my best 'bang for buck' lens I've ever bought. Let me know if you want to see some pics straight from the cam.
 
A good option might be the Nikon 35-70 f2.8. It's an old push/pull zoom (although AF), and used to be Nikon's flagship. I found mine pretty cheaply, but the image quality is really good (and it's f2.8 throughout the range, plus going from relatively wide, out to a proper portrait range).

I use it on FF, and on DX crop it might not be wide enough - that would be my only concern.
 
Moadib said:
A good option might be the Nikon 35-70 f2.8. It's an old push/pull zoom (although AF), and used to be Nikon's flagship. I found mine pretty cheaply, but the image quality is really good (and it's f2.8 throughout the range, plus going from relatively wide, out to a proper portrait range).

I use it on FF, and on DX crop it might not be wide enough - that would be my only concern.
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I second this,having just brought one of the last of the few brand new ones around(discontinued now).Its very sharp and can't fault mine..exceptional build quality and great optics..plenty of used around although take care as they are an old lens and some of the used ones have plenty of miles on them!
 
StuartH said:
I second this,having just brought one of the last of the few brand new ones around(discontinued now).Its very sharp and can't fault mine..exceptional build quality and great optics..plenty of used around although take care as they are an old lens and some of the used ones have plenty of miles on them!
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I'm looking to get this lens as well - do you know if the non-D version is just as sharp?
 
Cyprio said:
I'm looking to get this lens as well - do you know if the non-D version is just as sharp?
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I've also just bought a new copy of the 35-70 F2.8D. I've found it to be stunningly sharp with excellent colour rendition. As far as I know the only place they are still available new is Grays of Westminster. At £399 I think it's an absolute bargain.
 
Cyprio said:
I'm looking to get this lens as well - do you know if the non-D version is just as sharp?
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Some say the d version is sharper some say they are the same..can only comment on the d and that is sharp!!..
 
Luckynp said:
I've also just bought a new copy of the 35-70 F2.8D. I've found it to be stunningly sharp with excellent colour rendition. As far as I know the only place they are still available new is Grays of Westminster. At £399 I think it's an absolute bargain.
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Got mine from Grays and like you say worth the money for sure!
 
The Nikon 17-55mm sounds like what you want - fantastic lens.
 
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