Nikon primes or 70-200

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WP-UK

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Hi all,

I have searched and havent found what I'm looking for so have started this thread.

I shoot portraits and since purchasing my 35 1.8 have had some fantastic results but its just not long enough for the portraiture work. I also have a 17-55 2.8 which works well but I am in the market for a new lens.

I recently was looking into the 70-200 2.8, I don't have anything in that focal length and feel that I should cover it, plus it would be good for portraits. However, for the same money, I could pick up an 85mm 1.8/1.4 and the new 50mm 1.8 I have been eying up.

Now I am stuck as to buying a 70-200 as it could be seen as an essential lens or getting the primes.

Any recommendations or guidance is appreciated. Im referring to the older 70-200 VR used btw so around £1k.

Thanks
 
Having gone down the prime route in that range once already (85mm 1.8 and 180mm 2.8) I came to realise the flexibility of a zoom in that range is incredibly useful, so now use an 80-200 2.8D - have a look at one of those as an alternative to the 70-200. If you don't need VR and a motor in the lens it's well worth considering, as it's about half the price of the 70-200 and optically as near as makes no difference.
 
Thank you for your reply John. That is what concerned me, that the zoom would be better for all purposes, especially as sort of the 70-200 is considered a valuable lens to have. Will look into the 80-200, I understand thats a bit harder to get hold of though.
 
WP-UK said:
Hi all,

I have searched and havent found what I'm looking for so have started this thread.

I shoot portraits and since purchasing my 35 1.8 have had some fantastic results but its just not long enough for the portraiture work. I also have a 17-55 2.8 which works well but I am in the market for a new lens.

I recently was looking into the 70-200 2.8, I don't have anything in that focal length and feel that I should cover it, plus it would be good for portraits. However, for the same money, I could pick up an 85mm 1.8/1.4 and the new 50mm 1.8 I have been eying up.

Now I am stuck as to buying a 70-200 as it could be seen as an essential lens or getting the primes.

Any recommendations or guidance is appreciated. Im referring to the older 70-200 VR used btw so around £1k.

Thanks
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I own all three lenses though my 50 is the f1.4 and my 70-200 is 2nd gen. There's no denying the 85 f1.4D gives me some great shallow depth of field shots but I firmly believe that every photographer should own an OEM 70-200 as they are absolutely fantastic. Very flexible, great resolution etc and just a pleasure to use.

What works for you in terms of focal length is obviously very personal but I find 50mm over-rated. Sure, it's good to have but I don't use it that often and as you have that range covered I would recommend the 70-200.

The 80-200 is a good bet if you didn't need the VR and you could then get the 85 f1.8 too:)
 
I would also say go for the zoom,its been a long while since i have used a prime lens,and zoom lens are so good theses days.

Have a look on grays of westmister site they had quite a few Nikon zooms in :)
 
Although I don't do portraits I'll give another vote for the 70-200, my 70-200 f2.8 VRll is my most used lens - having said that, a good 80-200 is also a cracking lens.
 
For portraits i would steer well clear of the MKII 70-200VR due to the focus breathing effect of ther lens which shooting at shorter distances, ie for portraiture means the lens is actually only 135mm at the long end.

Im know you could just move closer to your subject but why pay for something youre not getting.

I had the lens for a week or so and found the effect really wierd and unsettling so sold it and bought the VR1 version, happy days.

Just google Nikon 70-200mm focus breathing
 
For portraits the zoom would make it easier to frame your subjects. Either version would do the job but you can save some money on the VRI and pick up a fantastic lens.
 
I have the 85mm & the 70-200. While thy are both amazing lenses the 70-200 has limitations for portraiture - the minimum focus distance is restricting & also it can be a little disconcerting for your sitter having a huge lens in their face.

Purely for portraiture, I would recommend an 85mm and a 105mm micro. Remember if you buy secondhand wisely you can always sell on again for the same price you paid for them should you change you mind.

S
 
Thank you all for your replies. I'm hiring a 85 1.4 end of June for a week so will see how much I fall in love with that. I just felt that the 70-200 was sort of a necessity but at the end of the day it's going to be what's best for my needs.
Will look into the focus issues though.
105 2.8 was another lens that I did look at, any good for portraits?
So far the flexibility of the zoom is winning me over but I do love primes

- just seen 105 mentioned above, sorry.
 
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simonjessop said:
You hire the 85 1.4 you will defo want one - they are amazing... 105 is a great portrait lens + gives you the option of getting in really close.

S
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Yeah, worried I will fall in love cos of the price :lol: but I suppose it's under £1k so within budget.
Will definitely look at the 105 as it has that bit extra reach to get more into the territory of the 70-200 focal length wise.
 
WP-UK said:
Thank you for your reply John. That is what concerned me, that the zoom would be better for all purposes, especially as sort of the 70-200 is considered a valuable lens to have. Will look into the 80-200, I understand thats a bit harder to get hold of though.
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hi i got the nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR2 a few months ago and it is one of the best lenses i have ever purchased, it is great at events and weddings as you can just stand back and capture perfect portraits without the "UN-natural" poses! altough the 85mm would be great i dont think you would be dissapointed with the big guy! it is hefty though ! and when its on my D300s with a grip makes your arm ache after a few hours!!

good luck
 
perrano said:
hi i got the nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR2 a few months ago and it is one of the best lenses i have ever purchased, it is great at events and weddings as you can just stand back and capture perfect portraits without the "UN-natural" poses! altough the 85mm would be great i dont think you would be dissapointed with the big guy! it is hefty though ! and when its on my D300s with a grip makes your arm ache after a few hours!!

good luck
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Thanks for your reply, can imagine the combo being quite heavy! Being able to stand back and shoot attracts me also. Stuck with choices now! Got a bit of time to get the money together so have thinking time.
 
Another shout out for the 70-200. I'm currently saving to buy mine. Its a brilliantly made lens and I feel that it would be more bang for my buck than say the 85mm f1.4 (that ones next ;)
Your getting a lot for the money with brilliant optics.
 
WP-UK said:
Thanks for your reply, can imagine the combo being quite heavy! Being able to stand back and shoot attracts me also. Stuck with choices now! Got a bit of time to get the money together so have thinking time.[/Q

im landscape more than portrait but have done a few events and weddings www.perranspics.co.uk and find it great to get the candid shots without putting pressure on people to pose etc... it cost best part of £1600 but a good investmend and to be honest Nikkor glass is the best .. well so im learing !!
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frenchman said:
Another shout out for the 70-200. I'm currently saving to buy mine. Its a brilliantly made lens and I feel that it would be more bang for my buck than say the 85mm f1.4 (that ones next ;)
Your getting a lot for the money with brilliant optics.
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my next one is the nikkor 24-70 f2.8 to replace my sigma 24-70 f2.8 which is ok but not a patch on the nikon..soooooooooooooo much monies though :|
 
perrano said:
im landscape more than portrait but have done a few events and weddings www.perranspics.co.uk and find it great to get the candid shots without putting pressure on people to pose etc... it cost best part of £1600 but a good investmend and to be honest Nikkor glass is the best .. well so im learing !!
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Spent a long time looking at your site, brilliant photos :) It is good to be able to stand back and shoot I guess. I prefer the Nikon glass to other brands by choice with some exceptions.
 
WP-UK said:
Spent a long time looking at your site, brilliant photos :) It is good to be able to stand back and shoot I guess. I prefer the Nikon glass to other brands by choice with some exceptions.
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thank you very much .. its nice to get some positive feed back sometimes :-) just got to work out a way of advertising my site now!
 
perrano said:
thank you very much .. its nice to get some positive feed back sometimes :-) just got to work out a way of advertising my site now!
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Most welcome, I have shot at Lulworth Cove and places around there and didn't get results anywhere near as good as yours on your site :) Good luck getting your site out there!
 
Get hold of a Nikon 85 1.8... cheap as chips.

Buy it from OneStop in HK, if you don't like it, flog it on on here, you should get nearly all your money back.

Once you have tried the 1.8, you'll have a feel for the working distances and an understanding of what the 1.4 might promise....
 
desantnik said:
Get hold of a Nikon 85 1.8... cheap as chips.

Buy it from OneStop in HK, if you don't like it, flog it on on here, you should get nearly all your money back.
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Will look into that, thanks. It is good that you get most of the money back with resale as well :thumbs:
 
I have both the 85 1.4 and the 70-200 2.8 VR and I LOVE both. But, I now "prefer", or tend to use way more, the 85 as it is much lighter and faster and still amazing. If you don't mind the weight of the 70-200 2.8 the whole session and the more imposing size of it then that can work great for you too, especially as you have the zoom there. I haven't used mine in a while to be honest but I still think it is an amazing lens.

Just for the the lightness and size, as well as the extra speed, of the 85 has kept that lens on the one body as standard now. Poor old 70-200 just sitting in the bag :(
 
db247 said:
I have both the 85 1.4 and the 70-200 2.8 VR and I LOVE both. But, I now "prefer", or tend to use way more, the 85 as it is much lighter and faster and still amazing. If you don't mind the weight of the 70-200 2.8 the whole session and the more imposing size of it then that can work great for you too, especially as you have the zoom there. I haven't used mine in a while to be honest but I still think it is an amazing lens.

Just for the the lightness and size, as well as the extra speed, of the 85 has kept that lens on the one body as standard now. Poor old 70-200 just sitting in the bag :(
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do you use a crop or full frame body? im not sure whether 85mm will be a dodgy focal length for crop bodies for a prime.
 
thorton said:
do you use a crop or full frame body? im not sure whether 85mm will be a dodgy focal length for crop bodies for a prime.
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Crop, you tune in pretty quick. The extra length comes in handy too and you can get a great head shot without being too close.

That said if you find the 85 1.8 that is a great lens in it's own right too and a lt cheaper if you need to watch the pennies. Or if you want to get another great, but not so dear, lens.
 
85mm isn't poor on a crop, but you have to understand what the working distances are.

In terms of not cramping your subject, its lovely, but you need a fair bit of space for anything other than head n shoulders - maybe 8-10m which is asking a lot in a domestic setting.

Thats more the concern with it as a DX lens than anything else.

I've used a 85 1.8 and would buy one for sure, but I shoot outdoors in pitlanes and on race grids.
 
WP-UK said:
Most welcome, I have shot at Lulworth Cove and places around there and didn't get results anywhere near as good as yours on your site :) Good luck getting your site out there!
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thanks dude ! its hard work but i love it ! nice to see your finished photos on there sometimes and when people buy afew its even better!! advertising the site is my biggest problem ?!

hey just checked out your site ... brilliant photos mate ! the ski and board ones are fantastically sharp !
 
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desantnik said:
85mm isn't poor on a crop, but you have to understand what the working distances are.
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I understand the concerns on not being wide enough for a lot of situations. This is something I hopefully will get to work with when I hire a 85 although I am at this moment swaying towards 70-200 due to its flexibility. Need to start saving the cash, been working until nearly 1am today/yesterday to get some extra money together! Things you do for photography :lol:

perrano said:
thanks dude ! its hard work but i love it ! nice to see your finished photos on there sometimes and when people buy afew its even better!! advertising the site is my biggest problem ?!

hey just checked out your site ... brilliant photos mate ! the ski and board ones are fantastically sharp !
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My pleasure, certainly is a rewarding feeling. Just keep pushing it, do you use twitter, facebook etc. all relating to your photography?

Thank you for the feedback! Amazingly, they were shot with a Tamron 70-300 :o That lens really shocked me that trip!
 
desantnik said:
Get hold of a Nikon 85 1.8... cheap as chips.

Buy it from OneStop in HK, if you don't like it, flog it on on here, you should get nearly all your money back.

Once you have tried the 1.8, you'll have a feel for the working distances and an understanding of what the 1.4 might promise....
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+1
The 85 1.8 is a fantastic lens for the price. I also use the 70-200 VRII another great lens that I don't think I could live without now. The 70-200 is a wonderful portrait lens outside or a big studio IMO, throw it on a crop body for extra reach and its perfect for candids at a wedding etc.
 
lensflair said:
The 70-200 is a wonderful portrait lens outside or a big studio IMO, throw it on a crop body for extra reach and its perfect for candids at a wedding etc.
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Your selling it to me well! Seems to cover my needs better.
 
Well, the 70-200 is the basic workhorse for most of us. It is flexible and sharp but not especially useful for indoor portaits - working distances are still a bit too much for indoors on a crop.
 
desantnik said:
Well, the 70-200 is the basic workhorse for most of us. It is flexible and sharp but not especially useful for indoor portaits - working distances are still a bit too much for indoors on a crop.
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Thanks for the help. I have 35 1.8, 17-55 but was considering the new 50 1.8G. Anyone thinking of getting one when they are a bit cheaper? Worth getting the 50 1.4 over it?
 
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