Cant decide between lens need advice

<p>So here's the deal Im focusing alot more on portrait/newborns and Im looking for a new lens. I have a nikon d7000 with a nikon 18-55 kit lens, 50mm 1.8, tamron 18-200 3.5-5.6, tamron 18-35 3.5. My main issue is that with the zooms im not getting the nice blurred backgrounds. I get it nice with my 50 but I want something where I can step back and get some distance. Im looking at ether a nikon 85mm, nikon 105 macro, a sigma 24-70 or maybe a tamron 70-200. Im trying to stay under $1000 USD and im open to buy used as long as I know they are in good shape. So I would like to know what some of you portrait people think. Thank you</p>

<p><a href="/nikon-camera-forum/00T1Bs"><strong>Here is a good discussion</strong></a> on the faster Nikon 85mm f/1.8D and f/1.4D lenses. This was before the current "G" versions came out. The 85mm f/1.8G, which is well within your budget, offers better bokeh than its predecessor. However, it would be difficult to find a lens with better bokeh than a used Nikon 85mm f/1.4D.</p>

<p>Considering you are using a crop body, the 1.8/50mm already is a very decent virtual 1.8/80mm, which will also allow more room for close up shots then a 85mm would.<br>

A 105mm, just line a 70-200, would, on a crop body, easily become too 'long' (105mm virtuall 160mm, 70-200 virtual 105-280mm and most likely too bluky for the newborn photography you intend using it for<br>

<br />That said, I (although admittedly shoot full frame) prefer either a 85mm or a 135mm for portraits/fashion/close ups. On a FX that would translate in virtual 135mm and 180, of which the latter probably is too long for your use (I prefer it over the various 200mm lenses I used to shoot fashion with.<br>

<br />The 1.4/85mm (I have the AF-D) is a wonderful lens with, when shot wide open, an amazing background OOF, while still remaining ultra sharp<br>

The 1.8/85 AF-D is a very capable, and affordable alternative. Not as 'magic' as the 1.4/85mm, but considering the price it can be found for (I got my near mint copy for Euro 120 secondhand) an affordable lens to buy and play with, and discover what focal length would ideal for you</p>

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<p>The 85 f/1.8G is probably best value for money if you want AF. If you don't especially need AF, the 105mm f/2.5 is stunning and with your budget, you can get 4 of those. Its out of focus rendering isn't far behind the 85 f/1.4, and personally I think it transitions from in-focus to out-of-focus more gracefully - but it's a slower lens obviously. The 105 macro is a good option too. <br>

The 85 f/1.8D (which I own) is not great at wide apertures, and its out of focus rendering isn't great - given the much improved G version, I'd skip it.</p>

<p>The difference between 70mm and 85mm is fairly small and won't affect your portraits. A 24-70 fast zoom will let you take portraits - actually, any lens will, it's just a matter of style - and you will get a vast area of benefits on top of this one use.</p>

<p>Here's a shot I took yesterday for an article with a 24-70 at 65mm on a full frame body. It wasn't even shot wide open and still got plenty of blur. I wanted some definition for the framing.</p>

 

<center><img src="http://spirer.com/images/gina1.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="467" /></center>

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<p>My main issue is that with the zooms im not getting the nice blurred backgrounds. I get it nice with my 50 but I want something where I can step back and get some distance.</p>

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<p>There are several reasons why you are not getting “nice” background blur with your zooms. One of those reasons is the maximum aperture available, BUT, that does not mean you need to have a very fast PRIME LENS to get background blur in all of your portraits.</p>

<p>One of the elements required to achieve background blur in Portraits is to have the appropriate RATIO of distance from the CAMERA to SUBJECT :: SUBJECT to BACKGROUND. In simple terms, extending the distance from SUBJECT to BACKGROUND will often suffice to get a good/acceptable Background Blur, even at moderately small Apertures, such as F/4 or F/5.6.</p>

<p>Considering these facts, I suggest that you look at an F/2.8 zoom with the Focal length Compass that suits your taste. A zoom provides the flexibility of many Focal Lengths. From the list of lenses you have mentioned, I would choose the 24 to 70 F/2.8 for an APS-C Camera, because that FL Compass would provide for me the Subject Distances and Framing for Portraiture, that I most frequently use.</p>

<p>Similar to the example that Jeff posted, <a href="/photo/16546073&size=lg">this Portrait has significant Background Blur simply because the wall behind is quite a distance away from the Subject, even though the Aperture used was F/5.6. </a></p>

<p>WW</p>

<p>For baby photos, I always found myself with the 105 f/2.5. On your body that would be a 70mm lens. I think you want no more than 85mm which will be 127mm equivalent.</p>

<p>For people portraits, head and shoulders, I use a 50 on a body like yours (75mm equivalent). It's a nice compact kit, you get bokeh and separation from background.</p>