Please recommend lens for portrait photo

[kulagg]

I'm using Nikon D90 and have a sigma 18-200mm OS lens for travelling/over-all purpose.

I kinda need another lens to take photos for portrait (maximum the fool length of human body), both indoor and out-door

I kinda stuck with a few choics:

Nikkor AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G (new release, no review yet >_<)
Nikkor 50mm 1.4F (is G version good? the price is way high)
Nikkor 50mm 1.8D
Nikkor 85mm 1.8D

The ideal price would be around S$500

Any good 3rd party lens are also welcome >_< and I will NOT get Sigma 30mm f1.4 (too expensive for me)

BTW another question is if I use a lens designed for fullframe on a camera with APS-C sized sensor, the only problem is the actual focal length need to multiply by 1.5 for Nikon right? (ie, my sigma is actually 27-300mm (equivalent to 35mm sensor) on my D90)

What will happen if I use a DX lens on FX camera? (assume the mount is same)

 

[thenomad]

For a full body portrait around 50mm is ideal.
From your budget you can afford the 50mm f/1.4D. The G version costs almost double that of the D.
35mm is slightly wider, and 85mm is generally more for headshots/plus shoulder.

Yes, for APS-C sensor you need to take the crop factor into account. So 50mm on a APS-C is equiv to 75mm on FX.

As for DX lenses on FX bodies, I personally am not a FX user, but I think you can mount it.
FX bodies also have a DX mode. Not sure if you have to switch to this mode to use a DX lens.

 

[redmonsoon]

For a full body portrait around 50mm is ideal.
..

Thats seems like general consensus.
But just watched FashionTV , and wondering why these photographers are using at least 200mm lens for fashion shoots with models 3m away.
Anyone knows the answer?Thks

 

[giantcanopy]

I'm using Nikon D90 and have a sigma 18-200mm OS lens for travelling/over-all purpose.

Use your 18-200mm and see whats the focal length you like to use for full body shoot ?
The 85mm is pretty long on a DX to shoot full body unless u dun mind standing a distance away.

Ryan

 

[Daedalus Trent]

Thats seems like general consensus.
But just watched FashionTV , and wondering why these photographers are using at least 200mm lens for fashion shoots with models 3m away.
Anyone knows the answer?Thks

It's to 1) give the photographer a shallow DoF & 2) guarantee that there'll be absolutely no distortion of body parts (i.e- the head appearing larger than the rest of the body when using wide-angle lenses)

To TS:
the 50mm f1.8D'll be the cheapest AND one of the best lenses you can have if you're doing full-body/ torso shots ;p

 

[kulagg]

Thanks to all who have replied! I learned something from you.
I'll get a 50mm 1.8D then .

 

[redmonsoon]

It's to 1) give the photographer a shallow DoF & 2) guarantee that there'll be absolutely no distortion of body parts (i.e- the head appearing larger than the rest of the body when using wide-angle lenses)

To TS:
the 50mm f1.8D'll be the cheapest AND one of the best lenses you can have if you're doing full-body/ torso shots ;p

Thks Daedalus & Kulagg, learnt something new for me.