35/50/85mm F1.4, F1.8 :S


TroyP

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Dec 23, 2008
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I have been pondering to get a new lens, but it's hard to decide without testing or seeing shots from other lens :confused:

I currently have:

Nikon D90
Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm F3.5-5.6G ED VR kit lens (67mm)
Nikkor AF 50mm F1.8D prime lens (52mm)
Tokina 11-16mm F2.8 Wide Angle Lens (77mm)
Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm F4.5-5.6G IF-ED (67mm)

I already have 50mm F1.8, but wondering if F1.4, or 35/85mm F1.4/1.8 can give nicer bokeh :think:
Has anyone compared these lens before?
I'm looking to take model pics, head shot, half body, full body.
My only worry about 85mm is when working in confined spaces like hotel room, would it be too tough to get full body shoot?

Budget: < $2k, but would love to spend as little as possible, since it's just a non-profitable hobby.
 

I have been pondering to get a new lens, but it's hard to decide without testing or seeing shots from other lens :confused:

I currently have:

Nikon D90
Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm F3.5-5.6G ED VR kit lens (67mm)
Nikkor AF 50mm F1.8D prime lens (52mm)
Tokina 11-16mm F2.8 Wide Angle Lens (77mm)
Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm F4.5-5.6G IF-ED (67mm)

I already have 50mm F1.8, but wondering if F1.4, or 35/85mm F1.4/1.8 can give nicer bokeh :think:
Has anyone compared these lens before?
I'm looking to take model pics, head shot, half body, full body.
My only worry about 85mm is when working in confined spaces like hotel room, would it be too tough to get full body shoot?

Budget: < $2k, but would love to spend as little as possible, since it's just a non-profitable hobby.


a 35mm should be good. Its a matter of walking back and forth to achieve head/half or full body shot :) u can also use for landscape WA shoot too!
 

Other than having to move closer/further away, is there any other diff between my 50mm F1.8 and a 35/85mm F1.8?
 

For the D90 cropped sensor, the 85mm for indoor will be very restrictive. To determine the range suitable , u should be able to judge by playing with your kit lens. that way u find out the best workable range for u. (personally i love the 35mm f2 when on the D90.) but bokeh wise, of the choices you listed, the 85mm f1.4 comes out top. follow by its F1.8 brother.
 

Other than having to move closer/further away, is there any other diff between my 50mm F1.8 and a 35/85mm F1.8?

D90 is crop right?

35mm effectively gives you 52mm ... the workspace is better then 50mm which effectively gives u 75mm. 85mm will be worst! you had to stand quite far back.
 

Well I asked one of the model shoot organisers from CS about one of the pics he took, and he said it was taken with a 200mm F2 prime lens. He suggested getting 85/135/200/300mm prime lens, but I think they are too much zoom for most portrait situations.
Just tried my kit lens at 35/50/85, the 35mm is definitely the best choice for hotel room, full body shot.
The question remains, F1.4 or F1.8, and is there really much difference? I'll have to see if I can find photos taken by both.
 

Well I asked one of the model shoot organisers from CS about one of the pics he took, and he said it was taken with a 200mm F2 prime lens. He suggested getting 85/135/200/300mm prime lens, but I think they are too much zoom for most portrait situations.
Just tried my kit lens at 35/50/85, the 35mm is definitely the best choice for hotel room, full body shot.
The question remains, F1.4 or F1.8, and is there really much difference? I'll have to see if I can find photos taken by both.

Chances are you'll never shoot at 1.4/1.8 anyway. If you want sample shots, look up the reviews.
 

Well I asked one of the model shoot organisers from CS about one of the pics he took, and he said it was taken with a 200mm F2 prime lens. He suggested getting 85/135/200/300mm prime lens, but I think they are too much zoom for most portrait situations.
Just tried my kit lens at 35/50/85, the 35mm is definitely the best choice for hotel room, full body shot.
The question remains, F1.4 or F1.8, and is there really much difference? I'll have to see if I can find photos taken by both.

usually lens performs better at 2 stops onwards then their widest aperture.... for example, f1.4, u will shot at f2 instead.
 

If you are looking for the best bokeh then you should be looking at 85 1.4 or 50 1.4. After paying so much, you should be shooting close to wide open. These lenses are great enough and you don't need peak sharpness.
If you have a budget the 35 1.8 and 85 1.8 would be good enough too. Longer focal length would technically give better bokeh.
 

usually lens performs better at 2 stops onwards then their widest aperture.... for example, f1.4, u will shot at f2 instead.

Precisely, i'm not looking at buying an F1.4 lens to shoot at F1.4, but to shoot at maybe F2.0. It's quite soft at F1.4, but read it's sharp at 2.0.

50mm F1.4D - $490 (CS price guides) - more bokeh than my F1.8
35mm F1.8G - $320 (CS price guides) - better working distance, but same bokeh as my 50mm

35mm F1.4? - $? - best of both worlds, but i'm guessing not cheap?
 

If you are looking for the best bokeh then you should be looking at 85 1.4 or 50 1.4. After paying so much, you should be shooting close to wide open. These lenses are great enough and you don't need peak sharpness.
If you have a budget the 35 1.8 and 85 1.8 would be good enough too. Longer focal length would technically give better bokeh.

85mm working distance is way too close for my needs, I have cropped body (D90).
Were you referring to full frame camera?
 

35mm F1.4? - $? - best of both worlds, but i'm guessing not cheap?

35 1.4 is good but if you also looking at AIS lenses then you should consider the 50 1.2 which is one of my favorite lens.
If 85 is too long then 35 or 50.

85mm working distance is way too close for my needs, I have cropped body (D90).
Were you referring to full frame camera?
 

Personally i am using 35mm f/1.8

GOOD enough ... :D

i cant see much of a difference in 1.8 vs 1.4
( Coz i am newbie ) :bsmilie:
 

I have been pondering to get a new lens, but it's hard to decide without testing or seeing shots from other lens :confused:

I currently have:

Nikon D90
Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm F3.5-5.6G ED VR kit lens (67mm)
Nikkor AF 50mm F1.8D prime lens (52mm)
Tokina 11-16mm F2.8 Wide Angle Lens (77mm)
Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm F4.5-5.6G IF-ED (67mm)

I already have 50mm F1.8, but wondering if F1.4, or 35/85mm F1.4/1.8 can give nicer bokeh :think:
Has anyone compared these lens before?
I'm looking to take model pics, head shot, half body, full body.
My only worry about 85mm is when working in confined spaces like hotel room, would it be too tough to get full body shoot?

Budget: < $2k, but would love to spend as little as possible, since it's just a non-profitable hobby.
It is possible to just change your D90, to a D300 / D300s (and still stay within your budget) and then supplement your lens collection with AIS lenses (which of course you can also use on the D90 but with no metering). The whole change will probably cost you around the $800 mark or something (check the Buy / Sell section and / or your favourite shop) well within your budget.

AIS lenses: 35mm f/2 $260 ?? or something, $50mm f/1.4 $200 or something, 80mm f/2 $300 or something, 105mm f/2.5 $300 or something..

I am aware that the above is a completely different spin. But a possible one I hope, none the less, maybe?

-- marios