Recommended lens for portraits

[karinjorge]

pls, can somebody recommended me a lens for shooting portraits? in a budget around $500-600 for Nikon. Thank you very much, I appreciate it!

[candleman]

outdoor or indoor?

which currency? US$ NZ$ AU$ ZIM$ ...one currency will get you a piece of toilet paper.. the other will probably get you a nice lens

[OsmosisStudios]

Assuming we're talking US$, then 500-600 gets you some nice glass.

I'd definitely suggest a longish prime lens: super fast, super sharp, excellent bokeh. The 85mm f/1.8D comes in at just shy of $500 CAD, so that's an option on the cheap, too. If you want something shorter you can go for the 50mm f/1.4G (a LOVELY lens, jsut shy of $600 CAD, so well within a 500-600 range).

Of course, the creme-de-la-creme is either the 105 or 135 f/2 DC lenses... but that blows your budget by about $600-700

[radityopradipto]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

go for the 50mm f/1.4G (a LOVELY lens, jsut shy of $600 CAD, so well within a 500-600 range).

Sorry, but what's the main difference between AFD 50 1.4 and AF-S 50 1.4
I know that G means Gelded (no aperture ring) and the AFS has built in AF motor
Is there any obvious difference? Like the optical quality, AF speed, etc
Thx

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by radityopradipto

Sorry, but what's the main difference between AFD 50 1.4 and AF-S 50 1.4
I know that G means Gelded (no aperture ring) and the AFS has built in AF motor
Is there any obvious difference? Like the optical quality, AF speed, etc
Thx

Not much. I think they refined the optics a bit for the G version, and the AF speed will be considerably faster with the AF-S than just the AF. It'll likely also be a bit more accurate too.

[karinjorge]

txs, yes, its US $. actually I'm a beginner, do not understand to much about AFS and AF motor, but need something to start, traveling and take porttraits of people on the street.
I was thinking in Nikon D60 with a lense 18-200mm f3.5-5.6, it could works for me?

[candleman]

in the street i'd say go long with an 85mm f/1.8 i'm trying to find a used one now
but it wont autofocus on a D60

i's suggest the 50mm f/1.4 AFS if you really want autofocus ability

[LoveDSLR]

A good portrait lens has the property to smooth skin with a creamy look.

However, you are looking for a general purpose lens for traveling and take photos of people on the street. That's why you're thinking about the 18-200.

If you prefer to use a telephoto lens then consider Nikon 18-200 VR or Tamron 18-270 VC with Build-in motor (BIM) for Nikon. Otherwise, consider the Nikon 35 f/1.8 AF-S.

[sybren]

I love my 85mm f/1.8 for portrait work. It's a Canon, but I'll bet that there's one for Nikonians as well.

[radityopradipto]

Actually you can use 18-200 for portrait, but the result won't be as good as 50 1.4G or 85 1.8... My consideration, 50 1.8 is good enough...
You get to use the MF but after you get the hang out of it, it would be quite easy
I'm still using my old MF 50 1.4 though