Prime lens users

badboy1984

badboy1984

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I'm starting getting the idea of using prime lens to do portrait work, wedding etc. Of course budget is limited so i have to get something that going to do a fine job for me.

I already have a 35mm f1.8G DX ages ago and I start using it alot more recently but focal length is quite limited at the moment. Reason I got that is because i simply can't afford for a 50mm f1.4G at that time so I went for the cheaper 35mm f1.8 instead.

After doing some research I saw 2 lens that i could add to my collection to fill up the missing focal length I'm after. The lens are:

01) 50mm f1.8G
02) 85mm f1.8D

I can get them in a good price because they are cheap and good review. Was wondering shall I buy both or just get one of them?
 
Both are great lenses, although you could get the 50 1.8D and save a few pennies towards the 85mm
 
Thanks Tom, i think i will get the 50mm f1.8G new or get the 50mm f1.4G used and take on from their. For some reason i always want to pull the trigger on the D series lens but then got pull off by the quality it feel in my hand ......

Nikon should release a 85mm f1.8G :)
 
Get the 85mm 1.4 ;-)

I didnt get on with my 50 1.4, sold it within a month.

You should keep an eye out for a long prime too like the 135 f/2 or 180 f/2.8 to complete the set!
 
There is an 85mm in the forum classifieds now for what I believe to be a very fair price.......................
 
thanks Tom. 85mm f1.4 sure is nice :)

Think i will go forthe 50 and 85 f1.8 first to start off. that should get me going with the prime :)

Ady N: i don't have access to the sale forum yet, but will be when the time comes :)

thanks
 
If you get an 85mm maybe you could spend a little more and get a magaphone or some flags for semaphore so that you'll be able to communicate with your subject :) If you intend to be within talking distance all you'll get is the tightest of shots with no context what so ever to the shot.

I've just bought a lovely 85mm but IMVHO it's a full frame lens and not too useful on a crop body other than for the tightest of shots or subjects who bite.
 
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The 135L on my 1.3x 1d crop isn't as bad as I thought it would be. Sometimes its nice to keep a bit further away when working with models anyway (I know I wouldnt like a 35mm in my face for a headshot).

But yeah, try them out and see how you feel about the working distances.
 
I currently use 35mm on a D7000 which is a 1.5 crop. Altho is good for general purpose shots like in a wedding, but when doing close up portrait shot i feel i have to point my camera right in their face which is not good most of the time, thats why i consider the 50mm and 85mm.

I think i should buy the 85mm and see how it goes before adding the 50mm to my collection.

Of course i still have my sigma 70-200 f2.8 zoom and a general 18-70 if needed but is the sharpness of the prime which attracts me alot :)
 
i read up on more on the 50mm f1.8D recently and find it is good for the money lol.

My on concern is i know it is mainly build with plastic which the G version is as well i believe. Was wondering do the D version uses metal mount or plastic mount? Reason why i ask is because the price is similar to the Canon 50mm f1.8 and that mount is plastic ......
 
thanks for the info, this is definate a good buy :) so i can put the rest of the money towards the 85mm instead.

I think i set my heart on the 50mm 1.8D :)
 
I think the 50mm is the correct choice it is the nearest to portrait lens given the sensor size. I use a very old nikkor 50mm prime fully manual ie no auto focus or camera set aperture, and other pros look at me like I'm mad, but it is razor sharp and I have not found a lens even in the +1k£ to beat it. I am a real fan of primes. By the way, I wonder why you seem to gravitate to very fast lenses 1.8 ? My 50mm is a 3.5 for the most part you will be shooting at f8 for portrait?
 
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