Nikon D5100 Lens for Potrait


pooh83

pooh83

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Sep 2, 2011
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Hi all,

I am a newbie in photography and had recently purchased a Nikon D5100 with kit lens.

However, I am looking into taking more into portrait shots of my kids and wife etc or maybe Wedding of my sister in law in dec this year.

Had recently came to known that there are lenses that is specially meant for portrait shooting.


E.g Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G ??

Bro, Please advise !
 

No, there are no "portrait lenses". Any lens can be used for portraits. But many people prefer a blurred background look to their portrait shots, and so go for large aperture lenses such as a 50mm f/1.8, etc. Technically you can shoot portraits with your kit lens too. The only limit is you, not the camera/lens.

The 50mm f/1.4g is quite expensive.
 

Hi Rashkae,

What is 50mm f/1.4g lens used for then ? Had this encounter of a photographer my company hired and he had this lens which was something similar. The effect he had was really good.

Rashkae said:
No, there are no "portrait lenses". Any lens can be used for portraits. But many people prefer a blurred background look to their portrait shots, and so go for large aperture lenses such as a 50mm f/1.8, etc. Technically you can shoot portraits with your kit lens too. The only limit is you, not the camera/lens.

The 50mm f/1.4g is quite expensive.
Click to expand...
 

Depends on your budget and style of shooting. There's the cheap 35mm F1.8 and 50mm F1.8. Mid-range is 28mm F1.8. High-end will be 35mm F1.4 and 50mm F1.4. Lots to choose from but work within your budget. Personally I feel that the 35mm F1.8 is good enough on the D5100:)
 

Where is the cheapest can i get it then??
 

pooh83 said:
Hi Rashkae,

What is 50mm f/1.4g lens used for then ? Had this encounter of a photographer my company hired and he had this lens which was something similar. The effect he had was really good.
Click to expand...

It is used for any picture that needs a 50mm focal length. Logical, right?

pooh83 said:
Where is the cheapest can i get it then??
Click to expand...

Look at the priceguides. It's where you should have looked before buying from Audio House anyway.
 

50mm lenses are usually classified as normal lenses, it happen that it give equivalent to 75mm focal length view on a DX camera body, and also very affordable, so it become a popular choice to use on portrait..

for Nikon, the are couple of lenses which are primary choice for portrait photography, 135mm DC lens, 105mm DC lens, the 85mm AF-D f1.4/f1.8 and AF-S f1.4/f1.8 G lenses, but I guess all these are beyond your budget.
 

I do have my Kit lens - 18-55mm lens.

Would that suffice for portraits shots of my family as well as wedding ?
 

pooh83 said:
I do have my Kit lens - 18-55mm lens.

Would that suffice for portraits shots of my family as well as wedding ?
Click to expand...

If you meant those portrait shots that has shallow depth of field (blur background) kit lens has a limitation. It best to understand first how to get blur backgrd in first place.
1. Closer distance between camera and subject
2. Further distance of subject and backgrd
3. Longest focal length (55mm in this case)
4. Largest Aperture (5.6 in this case at 55mm)

Try and see what you can get with the limitations of the 4 points above if you are satisfied and you should be able to gauge whether you will need a faster and larger aperture prime lens. In your example of 50/1.4, at F1.4 it will give a much more shallower DOF than kit lens which will be about F5.x at 50mm equivalent. As recommended by Rashkae, 50/1.8 would be a good start, both for low light as well as portrait. The first 2 points will still apply to get blur background
 

Awesome! ThAnK you so Much :) bro for the help. I will try to follow and see what can i get from the outcome ..

Heh heh! ThAnK you so Much :)
 

there are few key things you need to get it right at the time of capture an image.

lighting, what is the lighting of the scene? directional? soft? hard? I'm talking about the quality of lighting here

exposure, the quantity of the lighting, are there enough light to make a decent exposure? is additional light needed?

composition, what is your subject? what is the story you are telling? what are the rules of composition able to help you in this picture.

decisive moment, when is the right time to capture this image?




you see, all these basically has noting to do with what camera and lenses you have or use, bcos it is not build inside the camera...

and these are the few things separate a good photo and a snapshot.
 

pooh83 said:
However, I am looking into taking more into portrait shots of my kids and wife etc or maybe Wedding of my sister in law in dec this year.
Click to expand...
Do note that a camera bigger than the usual pocket types does not automatically mean you will produce better pictures. Not even when combined with lenses touted as 'portrait lenses'. Do read up about portrait photography and all the topics mentioned by catchlights. Start simple: your camera, your wife and kids, a nice sunny afternoon near the beach or in a park. Shoot and review, analyze why the picture looks good / looks bad / does not look as expected. Take your time, don't expect immediate results. Every skill has its learning curve.
Enjoy the wedding without camera, invite the couple for a photo session later on when it's all done and you all are more relaxed.
 

Hi Seniors,


Went to Worldwide photos n bought a Emolux 0.5X HD Lens. As well as EmoBlitz flash.. Both less than $450 after bargain ...

Did i made a right choice ? -_-"
 

U already bought..What if we say no? It should be the other way round. Ask first then buy (sounds more logical also.)
Anyway. Enjoy your new toys. ;)
 

True .. But would just like to know the reviews mah... Ahhaha
 

pooh83 said:
Hi Seniors,

Went to Worldwide photos n bought a Emolux 0.5X HD Lens. As well as EmoBlitz flash.. Both less than $450 after bargain ...

Did i made a right choice ? -_-"
Click to expand...

I would throw away the useless emolux nonsense. Do a Google search for "worldwide photos singapore" and read the many horror stories. It's a famous con shop that rips off ignorant tourists.

Why on earth you went there instead of the shops that get recommended in our shopping guides is beyond me.
 

 

pooh83 said:
True .. But would just like to know the reviews mah... Ahhaha
Click to expand...

Sad to say, but that's what search engines are for.
 

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