What is your favourite FX Portraits lens for D750/D810 ?


Since you have the 85mm now, step back to shot full length and near max aperture and see what you get.
Yes, I have done that ...

50mm is a good focal length to do full length shots, go goggle the AF-S 58mm f/1.4G you will find some stunning full Also did the same shots with 50mm f/1.8, and you may be surprise that perspective compression of tele lens may matter more than large aperture.
I thought a more tele lens will provide thinner depth of field (given the same framing) & thus the bokeh should be nicer ? Thanks
 

I thought a more tele lens will provide thinner depth of field (given the same framing) & thus the bokeh should be nicer ? Thanks

Well, yes the DOF will be thinner but bokeh is an artistic characteristic of a lens and very subjective as to what is nicer.
But certainly with a thinner DOF, the background will be more out of focus which is better for isolating your subject.
The following example is not my photo but I think it illustrates the point well:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1253369/159
Page 160 post #14.
Comparing the 58/1.4G and the 85/1.4G with similar framing.
The 85/1.4 has more compression, the background becomes more out of focus which is better at isolating the subject.
The 58/1.4 has more DOF but a smoother out of focus transition and characteristic bokeh swirl on the periphery.
You pick what you like.
 

Someone once said something like 'aperture is not for how much light is allowed...it is for DOF' :)
 

Well, yes the DOF will be thinner but bokeh is an artistic characteristic of a lens and very subjective as to what is nicer.
But certainly with a thinner DOF, the background will be more out of focus which is better for isolating your subject.
The following example is not my photo but I think it illustrates the point well:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1253369/159
Page 160 post #14.
Comparing the 58/1.4G and the 85/1.4G with similar framing.
The 85/1.4 has more compression, the background becomes more out of focus which is better at isolating the subject.
The 58/1.4 has more DOF but a smoother out of focus transition and characteristic bokeh swirl on the periphery.
You pick what you like.

Nice article, swifty and thanks. Next time we go coffee with wonglp, coffee on me ... :)

cheers
 

Nice article, swifty and thanks. Next time we go coffee with wonglp, coffee on me ... :)

cheers

Actually I'd love to come for wonglp's talk on Sat but unfortunately I work past the start time of the talk and will be disruptively late so I thought best not to hold up a seat. But thanks, perhaps another time :)
 

Actually I'd love to come for wonglp's talk on Sat but unfortunately I work past the start time of the talk and will be disruptively late so I thought best not to hold up a seat. But thanks, perhaps another time :)

sure, bro.

Next time, then ... cheers
 

Since you have the 85mm now, step back to shot full length and near max aperture and see what you get. 50mm is a good focal length to do full length shots, go goggle the AF-S 58mm f/1.4G you will find some stunning full length shots. You can use 135mm or longer to do full length portrait but you will be way far, can't communicate with model unless you shout. I have done some shots of half length couple with 180mm f/2.8, too far to shout instructions, had to rely on model to do her thing. Also did the same shots with 50mm f/1.8, and you may be surprise that perspective compression of tele lens may matter more than large aperture.

Agree with the compression point and that's why I'm starting to go with the 70-200 f4 for portraits. It is sharp, the VR is phenomenal, and the compression works together with the depth of field to make the subject pop out from the background.
 

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Agree with the compression point and that's why I'm starting to go with the 70-200 f4 for portraits. It is sharp, the VR is phenomenal, and the compression works together with the depth of field to make the subject pop out from the background.

what about the 24-120F4 ? At 120mm F4, should be reasonably good too ?

thanks
 

Thanks bro Levis.

I just got the AF-S 50mm f/1.4G five mins ago !

Fantastic lens !! :thumbsup:

Sigma ART is so much better.... Nikons 50 1.4 is Rubbish IMO :) ... Size is the only good point - small.
 

Sigma ART is so much better.... Nikons 50 1.4 is Rubbish IMO :) ... Size is the only good point - small.

Professional photographers have their own differing opinions.

Professional like Matt Granger in this video at 2:32 to 3:15 said that it is an excellent lens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89zZ-p4V8ao

while Professional like Dfive said it is rubbish ... :dunno:

I respect both opinions because both are professionals.

Anyway, I have also have the Sigma 50mm F1.4 Art and I agree it's a fantastic lens too, very sharp indeed ... just that i find it a bit big and heavy ...

Cheers
 

My thought on any 50 - it is an 'insurance lens'. That is a focal length which when in the hands of a competent photographer virtually ensures getting the shot. Longer stuff can be more difficult to get foreground and wider stuff can become to busy real fast. I was once told by a master photographer that a fast fifty was absolutely required for the portrait shooter.
 

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Professional photographers have their own differing opinions.

Professional like Matt Granger in this video at 2:32 to 3:15 said that it is an excellent lens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89zZ-p4V8ao

while Professional like Dfive said it is rubbish ... :dunno:

I respect both opinions because both are professionals.

Anyway, I have also have the Sigma 50mm F1.4 Art and I agree it's a fantastic lens too, very sharp indeed ... just that i find it a bit big and heavy ...

Cheers

I agree with Dfive.

If size and weight are your concern, then u should have gone with the 50mm f1.8G (or even the 50mm f1.8D). By choosing the 50mm f1.8G over the 50mm f1.4G, u shave off a third of the weight (185g vs 278g) for half the price (ard S$250 vs ard $500). That 1/3 stop more u can get with the 50mm f1.4G is negated by the fact that u also have a Sigma 50mm f1.4 ART lens that u can use if really need be. It almost becomes a 85mm f1.8G vs 85mm f1.4G comparison where for a lot more money, u get a bit better optics in return. Not image quality, but maybe just a bit more bokeh at the background, the difference being hardly noticeable by 95% of those who view ur shots.

I believe that the reason y Dfive deems this lens as a rubbish lens is not because it can't perform, but more like it has no selling point. Lightweight? Nikon's own 50mm f1.8G and f1.8D triumph it. Sharpness and bokeh quality? Sigma f1.4 ART triumphs it. In this case the Nikon 50mm f1.4G is basically sitting in no-man's land, just waiting for Nikon to refresh this lens.

But well, since u already bought it, no need to go through the buyer's remorse. :) In the end, a lens is still a lens, the final image is only as good as the photographer, not the equipment. :) So enjoy your new lens :)
 

I agree with Dfive.

If size and weight are your concern, then u should have gone with the 50mm f1.8G (or even the 50mm f1.8D). By choosing the 50mm f1.8G over the 50mm f1.4G, u shave off a third of the weight (185g vs 278g) for half the price (ard S$250 vs ard $500). That 1/3 stop more u can get with the 50mm f1.4G is negated by the fact that u also have a Sigma 50mm f1.4 ART lens that u can use if really need be. It almost becomes a 85mm f1.8G vs 85mm f1.4G comparison where for a lot more money, u get a bit better optics in return. Not image quality, but maybe just a bit more bokeh at the background, the difference being hardly noticeable by 95% of those who view ur shots.

I believe that the reason y Dfive deems this lens as a rubbish lens is not because it can't perform, but more like it has no selling point. Lightweight? Nikon's own 50mm f1.8G and f1.8D triumph it. Sharpness and bokeh quality? Sigma f1.4 ART triumphs it. In this case the Nikon 50mm f1.4G is basically sitting in no-man's land, just waiting for Nikon to refresh this lens.

But well, since u already bought it, no need to go through the buyer's remorse. :) In the end, a lens is still a lens, the final image is only as good as the photographer, not the equipment. :) So enjoy your new lens :)

Totally in agreement ...

No worries, no buyers remorse, the 50F1.8 is so cheap can easily buy it ... Cheers
 

My thought on any 50 - it is an 'insurance lens'. That is a focal length which when in the hands of a competent photographer virtually ensures getting the shot. Longer stuff can be more difficult to get foreground and wider stuff can become to busy real fast. I was once told by a master photographer that a fast fifty was absolutely required for the portrait shooter.
Thanks for letting us know ... cheers
 

What about the AFS 58mm f1.4 N lens? Any user here kind enough to feedback? Seems like a good lens but cost a lot more.
 

What about the AFS 58mm f1.4 N lens? Any user here kind enough to feedback? Seems like a good lens but cost a lot more.

Apologies, I do not have the 58mm F1.4.

But from what our fellow Clubsnapper like Nikozen (if i am mistaken) said that it's a very good lens. Go back a few pages, i think he did post some links with photos taken on the 58mm F1.4.

Hope that helps ...

Cheers
 

What about the AFS 58mm f1.4 N lens? Any user here kind enough to feedback? Seems like a good lens but cost a lot more.

The 58/1.4G is amazing. Its a modern lens with a classic feel.. Want bokeh/character, shoot wide open; want sharpness, stop down a bit.

Good weight, with standard nikon 'weather seal' gives it a slight advantage over the Sigma 50mm ART (Which is sharper, and cheaper, but so heavy)

Just a bit too pricey. (I sold it to fund other stuff that I will use more often)
 

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