Discussions (85)

Lens suggestions!

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KatieeKinzz says:

Hello!

I am rather new to shooting portraits. Ive done a few to just mess around with it and see what works best for me.

Currently shooting on a Nikon D7000. The typical 18-105mm kit lens and the 50mm 1.8.

Now I would love to find a GREAT lens for family portraits. I have a 70-200mm 2.8 that I would be able to borrow from a friend. I was looking at the 28-70mm 2.8 lens.

Would love to stay under $500. Your thoughts? Suggestions? Tips and tricks?

NOTE; I do not have any lighting set up right now. Trying to learn how to use the natural light available before moving up and learning about lighting.
9:59AM, 11 January 2013 PDT (permalink)

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Art Gomez Photography says:

hello Katiee, I do portraits all the time. im still in the learning process as well been shooting about a year or so. I think you are straight with what you have. I shoot 90% of my portraits with my 50mm 2.8 and get great results. if you have that 70-200mm 2.8 that is an awesome lens and is good for head shots and 3/4 body shots and will really blow out the background and really look great! I also don't use any lighting...I like natural light. you will be good with what you got. you have a good camera its all good. just work with the natural light and find nice lightly shaded areas.

hope this helps
ages ago (permalink)

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NikitaKPhoto says:

Might be too late now but I would highly recommend the 85mm 1.8g. I know many are not all too fond of that focal length for DX crop but I personally love it for an affordable way of getting portraits where you can blow the background out completely. It's closer to your price range as well in comparison to the 70-200 2.8 in case you might not be able to borrow one day
ages ago (permalink)

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ac12basis says:

Katiee,
The lens does not make a better portrait, the photographer does.
So rather than spend $$$ on a new lens, spend it on books and training.

What do you feel is wrong with your 18-105 lens?

I think the 18-105 is just fine for where you are. As with your comment about lighting, learn to squeeze what you can out of your current lens, and find its limitations, before looking to another lens. There is no "silver bullet" or GREAT lens. What works for one photog may not work for you.

Lens selection depends on many variables, which interact with each other.
- distance from you to the subject
- distance from subject to backdrop
- size of subject; individual or couple or group or large group
- type of shot; full length, 3/4, head and shoulder, tight head/face
- if group, the layout of the group
- particular effect the photog is after
- amount of light available
- your physical condition (a long session with a 70-200 will be more tiring than a session with a smaller/lighter lens)
- etc, etc, etc.

I would not use the 70-200 for family portraits. TOO big and heavy.
IMHO more practical for individual shots, and only if you want to be able to zoom in for tight head shot on one person. Or if you are shooting from a distance, for a particular effect or location.
ages ago (permalink)

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audram333 says:

Sorry if I'm a little late on replying but I think you should try different things. I say this because unlike ac12basis, I like using my big 200mm when doing family pics...not all the time, but in some cases I love it.
I agree with ac12basis in the fact that you should find out everything your current lens can do and it's limitations.
ages ago (permalink)

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mattshutter says:

Each to their own but I would continue to learn via books, tutorial videos, looking at other work for inspiration. I personally use a 50mm or 17-50mm depending on how many people, the set up etc.

Natural light is a great way to learn but you can have so much more control with flash. It can seem daunting at first but it's amazing what you can do with 1 flash light on a stand off camera with a simple shoot through brolly. You don't need to spend a lot of money. If you have a flash gun already then a simple light stand and off camera sync kit (pc sync cord is cheap) is a great way of learning.

Good luck and enjoy.
ages ago (permalink)

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