Nikon Lens for wedding/potrait

[Anson Ooi]

Hi, I'm using Nikon D5000. May I know which lens are suitable for wedding/potrait photograph for following lens.
1. AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300MM F/4.5-5.6G ED VR
2. AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
3. AF-S DX ZOOM NIKKOR 18-135MM F/3.5-5.6G IF-ED

Thank You.
Regards,
Anson

[zona5101]

indoor? outdoor?
From the 3 listed I'd probably go with 18-200 vrII
That lens is pretty slow so if your inside you will probably need an external flash

[Nazral]

I also agree with Zona that I would use 18-200 but if you really wants to take good portraits you might wanna invest in a 2.8 lens or if you want something cheap the 50mm 1.8 lens would get you better results since background Bokeh is important in portraits and since it's a prime lens it's pretty sharp

[Anson Ooi]

Thank You Zona & Nazral...
I would consider to shoot indoor & outdoor....What do you think about Nikon AF-S 35mm F1.8 DX? Is it suitable?

[Nazral]

Originally Posted by Anson Ooi

Thank You Zona & Nazral...
I would consider to shoot indoor & outdoor....What do you think about Nikon AF-S 35mm F1.8 DX? Is it suitable?

I use Canon so I am not sure about Nikon lenses but for portraits people like to use 50 and 85mm lenses. With a nikon 1.5 crop sensor you get almost 50mm from 35mm lens and 75mm from the 50mm 1.8 lens.

I usually look at Fredmiranda's website for lenses reviews and also Amazon.
FM Reviews - Nikon lenses main

[Photogger]

Originally Posted by Nazral

I use Canon so I am not sure about Nikon lenses but for portraits people like to use 50 and 85mm lenses. With a nikon 1.5 crop sensor you get almost 50mm from 35mm lens and 75mm from the 50mm 1.8 lens.

I agree with Nazrol. I have never shot weddings, but I've been doing portraits for over a year. I carry in my bag a Nikon 20mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.8, and 85mm f/1.8. The larger apertures allow me to shoot in lower light and affords a more shallow depth of field.

From your list, I would go with the third choice. You don't really need 200-300mm range for portraits and weddings.

[Anson Ooi]

Is prime lens more suitable for wedding/portrait shooting?

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Anson Ooi

Hi, I'm using Nikon D5000. May I know which lens are suitable for wedding/potrait photograph for following lens.
1. AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300MM F/4.5-5.6G ED VR
2. AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
3. AF-S DX ZOOM NIKKOR 18-135MM F/3.5-5.6G IF-ED

Thank You.
Regards,
Anson

None of them

FOr weddings you want a fast aperture (f/2.8 for zooms) or large-aperture primes (f/1.8 or, preferably, f/1.4).

While the old adage that the photographer is the most important part of the equation is true, there is something to be said about the equipment that you should have for BEST results.

[RecurrentNerve]

What do you think about Nikon AF-S 35mm F1.8 DX

By all accounts this is an excellent lens and would do very well for a wedding. The large aperture means you will get a nice blurred background for portraits and also be able to shoot indoor shots without using a flash (or at least using minimal flash).

[KevPeden]

Hi. The third lens on your list would probably be more than adequate, however, if you are prepared to go to the expense of the 18-200mm, take a look at the Nikon 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF AF Lens. I shoot most of my weddings with a medium format film camera coupled with 50mm - 80mm - 120mm prime lenses. The Nikon 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF AF Lens would cover these focal lengths apart from the very wide end. I never thought I needed any other focal lengths apart from in the reception where I would move to my my D2x or D300 with a 17-35mm f2.8 FX format lens which I use at 24mm most of the time, which is about equivalent to 36mm DX format, this is mainly for convenience in handling as I could have a couple of high capacity CF cards instead of keep changing film backs. There are other lenses that would fit with your requirements, but you only really need DX format focal lengths from around 35mm to around the 120mm. Only my opinion, it works for me and most of my colleagues. Hope it helps.