Lens for portraits

[echo3]

I'd love to get some advise on buying a lens for taking portraits.
I have had a lot of people ask me to take their pics, their kids, their babies, senior portraits….

I really love to take portraits outside, but to do senior pics, I will have to do a traditional yearbook picture in a "studio" (my garage to start).
I have read everything I can find on the subject and have read so many different opinions my head is spinning!
I figured I'd turn to the smartest people I know :D yes you guys!!!

[Diamond Lil]

Erin, I've heard everything from a 60mm to the 70 - 200mm. I used the 70 - 200mm for my last portraits and they worked very well for business cards and a website photograph. Something fast so you can shoot wide enough open for the softer appearances of portraiture. Also, something with a higher number of aperture blades and blades that have curved edges tend to produce more pleasing bokeh which is important with portraits.

That is my:2cents: Now, if we could get some of the smart folks to chime in you'll be in great shape.

[echo3]

Erin, I've heard everything from a 60mm to the 70 - 200mm. I used the 70 - 200mm for my last portraits and they worked very well for business cards and a website photograph. Something fast so you can shoot wide enough open for the softer appearances of portraiture. Also, something with a higher number of aperture blades and blades that have curved edges tend to produce more pleasing bokeh which is important with portraits.

That is my:2cents: Now, if we could get some of the smart folks to chime in you'll be in great shape.

Thanks Lil. You are awesome and have never steered me wrong!:)
Many people like the 70-200. Many also like the 50mm (which I have and have never used) but then I read Ken Rockwell www.kenrockwell.com/tech/portrait-lenses.htm
who says you have to get way too close to your subject to get results.
One that came up over and over was the 85mm f/1.8D. The 85mm f/1.4D is also highly recommended and similar to the 1.8, but at 3 times cost.
At my beginner level, will I see the difference? I don't know??:confused:
I'd love to hear from some more smart folks on here too!!!

[echo3]

Well, I went to my camera shop and talked to the owner who is also an awesome professional photographer.
I explained to him what I was looking for and after putting it on my camera and taking many shots in the store,
I ended up getting, well ordering, a 105mm 2.8vR Nikkor micro lens.

Lil, since I didn't know anything about blades (this one has 9), I found a good explanation about it in an article about bokeh…

www.kenrockwell.com/tech/bokeh.htm

Thank you Lil. I can't wait until it gets here!!!:D

[Diamond Lil]

Excellent pick Erin! That lens is supposed to be tailor made for portraiture and produces reportedly pleasantly soft OOF areas. I cannot wait to see how you like it! Congrats!!!

[echo3]

Thank you Lil :D the internal focusing was amazing, quiet too!
I took these pictures to get the feel of it, the lighting is off a little, I used my new speed light and bounced it off the ceiling,
but you can get the idea!
http://www.moviephotoforums.com/photopost/data/599/medium/lens1.jpg

and one of Nick
http://www.moviephotoforums.com/photopost/data/599/medium/lens2.jpg

and my lens cap!
http://www.moviephotoforums.com/photopost/data/599/medium/lens3.jpg

[Diamond Lil]

Hey! That guy in the second shot is quite handsome!

From these shots I think you are going to learn to use that baby real well!

[echo3]

That's funny Lil….Nick looked at that picture and said "Cut my hair tonight!"
Like I said, I didn't fuss with the settings, he just wanted me to feel how the autofocus and the lens felt. Really nice.
I wish he had one in stock (the one I used was his friends).
I'm not good at waiting! :mad:

[Diamond Lil]

Tell Nick shaggy is beautiful. :laugh


I understand impatience. :D

[echo3]

I will Lil….but I think it is the grey he hates more than the shaggy-ness!:p

[Diamond Lil]

Gray is beautiful! (I should know. I see it a lot. :laugh :laugh :laugh )

[echo3]

Are you starting to gray Lil? I hadn't noticed! :)

[Diamond Lil]

Are you starting to gray Lil? I hadn't noticed! :)
Starting?
http://www.moviephotoforums.com/photopost/data/532/rofl1.gif http://www.moviephotoforums.com/photopost/data/532/rofl1.gif http://www.moviephotoforums.com/photopost/data/532/rofl1.gif http://www.moviephotoforums.com/photopost/data/532/rofl1.gif http://www.moviephotoforums.com/photopost/data/532/rofl1.gif

[echo3]

:hide

[Heavens Thunder]

http://www.moviephotoforums.com/photopost/data/500/medium/melissa_185.jpg Group Portrait from Hospice Ride Today of many Biker friends and Clubs !

[J. R. Weems]

Well, I went to my camera shop and talked to the owner who is also an awesome professional photographer.
I explained to him what I was looking for and after putting it on my camera and taking many shots in the store,
I ended up getting, well ordering, a 105mm 2.8vR Nikkor micro lens.

Lil, since I didn't know anything about blades (this one has 9), I found a good explanation about it in an article about bokeh…

www.kenrockwell.com/tech/bokeh.htm

Thank you Lil. I can't wait until it gets here!!!:D

ERIN~ CONGRATS!!! You will LOVE this lens. My Older choice from the film days was my 105. After getting my D 80, I got the lens you ordered. Now that I have the D700, I can use either one, as I have the older 105 programed into the 700. I guess there are others, but the 105 has always been my choice. :) GOOD LUCK!!! :thumbsup

There are some very nice stuido set ups offer on e-bay if you look around under NIKON :)

[echo3]

I am so glad to hear you like that lens J.R. I'd love to see some of the photos you took with it. It is a big investment for me and you and Lil really eased my mind!
I will definitely be checking out eBay. I did buy one light kit, it is just a softbox with the stand and bulbs, the other day to get started, but I will be looking for more soon.
Thank you! :)

[J. R. Weems]

Gray is beautiful! (I should know. I see it a lot. :laugh :laugh :laugh )

BOY! I settle for gray any day!!:rofl::rofl::rofl::confused:;)

[J. R. Weems]

I am so glad to hear you like that lens J.R. I'd love to see some of the photos you took with it. It is a big investment for me and you and Lil really eased my mind!
I will definitely be checking out eBay. I did buy one light kit, it is just a softbox with the stand and bulbs, the other day to get started, but I will be looking for more soon.
Thank you! :)

ERIN- Most of my flowers are taken with the new 105 FYI - I was just viewing a holder on e-bay that held a flash, and a umbrella. Looks interesting-

LINK:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Swivel-Flash-Mount-Umbrella-Holder-Fr-Nikon-SB900-SB800-/250713182338?pt=Camera_Flash_Accessories&hash=item3a5fab9082#ht_2387wt_1141

[echo3]

I think I will get that J.R., it would make things much easier! I can't wait to get the lens and start practicing! :camera

[Diamond Lil]

Have you found space to work in Erin?

[echo3]

Not yet Lil. I think I told you that I could share a studio with the gallery owner, but I am afraid to now. She is a true space cadet.
All of my photos are ruined that were in the gallery because she didn't pay her gas bill and there was no heat. She was using space heaters in the day, and no heat at night.
The gallery is in an old historic building and my pics were on an extrior brick wall. Everything is warped and ruined. The pics move when the wind blows!

She says it is not her fault, we used "too much tape". So now I have a wall full of photos (matted and framed by Nick….you know how much work that is) that I can't sell!

She has a beautiful studio space in the same building that she wants to share with me. (Actually, she lost it for non-payment, but it is still empty so she wants me to rent it with her.)
But I just don't trust her. I could go on and on about her, but I will spare you!!
Anyway, we can fix up the basement, it is not perfect, and I'll have to stand between the motorcycles :ride::ride: , but it is big enough, with an almost 10' ceiling, to get started.
I can practice with the kids and their friends, until I can find a better solution.

[Diamond Lil]

Geeezzzzz Erin! That's awful. Here I was thinking you had that little spot made for yourself. Something better will come of it and there is no shame working out of one's home. You'll do fine!

[J. R. Weems]

ERIN~ This is tragic, to say the least. A lot of red flags -- Knowing some of your work I would say you would be better off on your own. It WILL come. Keep your chin up and your camera ready. it is said, that which does not weaken us, gives us strength. :thumbsup

[echo3]

Thanks J.R. I don't know what I am going to do.
Should I replace everything and make her move them to an interior wall,
or just pull them out and move on????
Don't worry, I'm not stressing over it, I'll figure it out!
Thanks for your support and kind words! :group That goes for everyone!

[J. R. Weems]

Thanks J.R. I don't know what I am going to do.
Should I replace everything and make her move them to an interior wall,
or just pull them out and move on????
Don't worry, I'm not stressing over it, I'll figure it out!
Thanks for your support and kind words! :group That goes for everyone!

ERIN~ I would remove everything, as well as yourself as far from this person as I could. Such a treasure as your work should not be left to languish in such surroundings. JMHO of course. :(

[Diamond Lil]

ERIN~ I would remove everything, as well as yourself as far from this person as I could. Such a treasure as your work should not be left to languish in such surroundings. JMHO of course. :(

Strong and appropriate words of guidance.
:iagree:iagree:iagree:iagree:iagree

[Diamond Lil]

Is it here yet??????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????

[echo3]

I received a message that is should be at the shop today or Monday!!! :)

[Diamond Lil]

I received a message that is should be at the shop today or Monday!!! :)

http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-happy106.gif

[echo3]

Love it Lil….I think I'll call them now!:)

[Diamond Lil]

Love it Lil….I think I'll call them now!:)
http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-score010.gif

[echo3]

I picked up the new lens last night. I haven't had time to play yet,
but I did take this quick pic of Molly's eye earlier before we went to Megan's game.


http://www.moviephotoforums.com/photopost/data/645/medium/mollyeye.jpg

[Diamond Lil]

Beautiful! You are thrilled, right?????

[echo3]

So far...YES!!!!!
:woo:woo
I just need time to play with it!
Prime is a whole new ballgame!

[polizzio]

So far...YES!!!!!
:woo:woo
I just need time to play with it!
Prime is a whole new ballgame!

Prime is an uncompromising game in terms of image quality. Move your feet instead of adjusting lens focal length.
Your really going to like that lens a lot I predict :D and micro too.

[echo3]

I hope so John, I've had some people ask me to do various types of portraits....
so Nick and I are contemplating taking this more seriously!
We're actually looking at a space to work out of!!
Thanks for your support!

[echo3]

Oh....and J.R. ....
I will be able to pull my pics out of that woman's gallery!!!!!!:)

[Diamond Lil]

Oh....and J.R. ....
I will be able to pull my pics out of that woman's gallery!!!!!!:)

:woo:woo:woo

[echo3]

:woo:woo:woo

I feel the same way!!!:D

[Diamond Lil]

How are the prospects Erin? Does the new possibility seem anywhere near do-able?