Portrait Lens?

Question

I am looking to get a good portrait lens. Preferably Nikon or another reputable brand. I would like to have a fast lens or somewhat fast. Somewhere between 18-70, 18-200. Nothing over $400. Any suggestions, greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Tokina makes good lenses; Sigma as well. I like to use a 28-70 and a 70 -210 for a good start. Go to a store and hold the lens in your hand before you buy it. However, if it is a portrait lens you need you may not want a zoom lens; look through fixed focal length lenses before you decide

Answer 2

Generally, portrait lenses are considered to be 85mm and above, around 105mm is an optimum length on film cameras. On a Nikon crop frame dSLR, the 50mm is a 75mm, so it could be a contender. 50mm is good for environmental portraiture, not so great for head shots.
You need a fairly fast lens for portraits to throw the background out of focus by using a shallow DOF.
Nikon has a couple of classic lenses, among them the 105/2.5 MF, and the 85/1.4. Look at www.keh.com for reliable used equipment, or on eBay.

Answer 3

Instead of a zoom lens, look for a prime lens around the 50-70mm range. You might find some great used lenses in that range, by the way.

The 1.4 lenses mentioned below would be the faster choice, but the 1.8 is still pretty fast, and probably more in your price range. Check camera stores for used lenses.

From a discussion group: http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=75807&forum_id=66
I would recommend the 85mm/f1.8 or 85mm/f1.4 for head and shoulder portraits. I use the 85mm/f1.8 with my D70s and the results are amazing . I think the 50mm lens is more for full length (head to toe) portraits.

Answer 4

50mm will not work for a portrait. 70mm would be better, but the optimum would be a 90, 105, or 135 in the 35mm camera.

Answer 5

Sigma 18-200mm for an nikon. $319.39

Answer 6

Try these links:
www.Calibex.com/digital-camera
www.NexTag.com/digital-cameras
www.nikonusa.com
Good luck!