Bokeh Quality: Nikon 50mm f1.8g & 85mm f1.8g; Need your suggestion

<p>Hi ,<br>

I own Nikon D7100 ( DX DSLR) and planning to buy a portrait lens for this camera. After reading internet views and reviews, I narrowed down to either Nikon 50mm f1.8g or Nikon 85mm f1.8g. But further , I am not unable to decide between these two. I really do NOT have chance to check it myself at a camera store.<br>

I am mainly concentrating on Bokeh quality for portraits. If you have experience of Bokeh quality on these two lenses on any DX Nikon DSLR can you please suggest which one is better?<br>

I know that 50mm f1.8g and 85mm f1.8g for FX are equivalent to DX focal length of 75mm and 127mm respectively. But , for me more than focal length I am more interested in Bokeh quality for a DX DSLR<br>

Your suggestion/ opinions will help me in choosing between Nikon 50mm f1.8g or 85mm f1.8g.<br>

<br />Thanks<br>

Malli</p>

I used to own both. While both had good bokeh - much improved from their predecessors - I rate the 85 half a notch

higher.

<p>I have used the 85mm f/1.8 G on a D700 and I like it very much. I have not used it on my D300, but I would be happy to take some sample shots and post within the next few days. Just pragmatically, it seems like the 85mm would be the better choice for bokeh <em>quantity</em>. You'll have an easier time achieving subject separation with the longer lens. The 50mm would allow you to work a bit closer to your subject compared to the 85.</p><div></div>

<p>#2</p><div></div>

<p>#3</p><div></div>

<p>#4</p><div></div>

<p>In my view, the 50mm f/1.8G has good bokeh for a 50mm. Unfortunately, nearly all 50mm lenses with a normal pricetag have so-so bokeh. But, bokeh is rather subjective, depends on the backgroud, the distance to the background, light. So, it is not something that can be measured, nor universally claimed to be better (sorry, there is no such thing as bokeh quantity - that's rather less or more depth of field).<br>

So really? It varies - both lenses you mention can render a pleasing out of focus rendering, but in the wrong circumstances they can also make a mess.<br>

<br>

I would consider the focal length a lot more. To get a similar framed shot with the 50mm, you will be a lot closer to your subject, which does change perspective, and not always for the better. I've always felt 50mm on APS-C is just a bit too short. If you have zoomlenses covering the range, I would check for yourself which focal length you find pleasant, and go with that. Perspective and working distance really are far more important than bokeh.</p>

<p>Wouter - you understood my term perfectly ;) When talking about "bokeh," it is usually a pretty loosey-goosey discussion. </p>

<p>I have both but use them on a D800, the 85 is my go to lens if I want to drop out backgrounds and have them rendered attractively, on the subjective of subjective I feel that the 85 has a good bit more "magic" than the 50.</p>

<p><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10414379_1075472802485434_2759447635932299792_n.jpg?oh=142a2769cdb9451a4219a4d9f48a8230&oe=57B0F9F2&__gda__=1471813579_ef8307ba825209d1076379575ec1bdd9" alt="" width="850" height="567" /></p>

<p>Clive - this photo certainly has the "it factor" in good measure. I don't even want to know the background story, I love the mystery!</p>

<p>Thanks Chip, as you guessed there is quite a background story but much more importantly I thought it was a pretty good example of the 85 1.8 G strutting it's stuff.</p>

Now if you want to get a bit creative, have you looked at the Tamron 45mm? It draws an excellent image, and has VC and

weather sealing.

<p>off topic I know but "notify me of responses" doesn't seem to be working on this thread for me, any advice?</p>

 

<p>I love the 85 for this purpose but my favorite is the 105 2.8 VR but it weighs a ton on the d810.</p>

<p>-O</p>

<p>The 50 f/1.8G for the 7100 (APS) body. A great lens, very nice bokeh. Yes, a 50 f/1.4 would be better as a max-bokeh portrait lens on this camera, but the 1.8 is really good. This is a nice rig; I use it all the time and greatly prefer it over the much larger FX+85 rig.</p>

<p>The 85 f/1.8 for a full-frame body. </p>

<p>p.s. for what it's worth, I like the 75-85mm equivalent for portraits. That means 50mm on an APS body. For other styles, there might well be other preferences.</p>

<p>When I had a little baby, the 105 equiv was the right lens. But for adults, for me, it's 75-85 equiv.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>The 85 f/1.8 for a full-frame body.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Sorry, but do you want to imply the 85 doesn't work on APS-C? The 50mm is a full frame lens too. And they both work fine on APS-C.<br>

The OP does not ask FX+85 vs. DX+50, the question is 85 or 50 on DX. The focal length is just a matter of preference, what works for one person may not work at all for another. </p>

<p>Nothing related to "quality", but to "quantity"; the longer the lens the higher background magnification in a given scenario. So with a 85mm lens, a blurred background will probably have the very same amount of detail and blur despite the lens, but with the longer one, a smaller portion of the area will appear on the image, and it will be bigger in size.<br /> This is a real effect, and many people tend to think that bokeh is "better" with a longer lens for this reason. It is worth considering.</p>

<p>if you can go manual focus (with confirmation) the Voigtlander Nokton 58/1.4 has a lot more class in the way it renders than the Nikon 50/1.8G</p>

<blockquote>

<p>This is a real effect, and many people tend to think that bokeh is "better" with a longer lens for this reason. It is worth considering.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>none of the nikon 50mm lenses are especially known for bokeh. the 50/1.8g is "better" than the AF-D, but that's not saying much. as jose said, the 85/1.8g will appear to have 'better' bokeh due to the compression factor.</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I am with right folks !!<br>

Taking average of your opinions I learn following.</p>

<ul>

<li>Bokeh is more of a subjective matter, depends on background , distance to back ground and of course depends on personal taste.</li>

<li>Both 50mm f1.8g and 85 f1.8g are very good for portraits/bokeh and 85 f1.8g favors more.</li>

</ul>

<p>I also thanks for pointing other lenses from Tamron and Voigtlander.<br>

So both 85 f1.8g and 50f1.8g are very good.Looking at price factor I will buy 50 f1.8g for D7100 APS. ( I live in India; local Authorized store Retail price of 50 f1.8g is equivalent to $170 USD and 85 f1.8g is $430 USD)<br>

I am planning for Full frame body some time within next two years, then I will buy 85 f1.8g for portraits on Full frame, and continue to use 50mm f1.8g on Full Frame body as standard prime lens.<br>

Have a wonderful Day.<br>

-Malli</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Hi Chip Chiposwki,<br>

Thanks for sharing your pictures using 85f1.8g & D700. I enjoyed it.<br>

As you mentioned, please share pictures using 85f1.8g on D300 at your convenient time.<br>

As you see from my response , I decided to buy 50mm f1.8g due to reasons mentioned in my response post. But still I am curious to see your pictures using 85f1.8g & D300 and of course your thoughts too.<br>

<br />Thanks again,<br>

Malli</p>

 

<p>Hey Malli, I took some quick and dirty sample shots last night with the 85mm 1.8G on my D300. Hopefully these can at least give you a sense of the OOF rendering at some of the larger apertures. It is a nice, tight field of view on DX but you do need some working room with your subject. <a href="https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=E1DAB4830840E416!6424&authkey=!AFJ1mK9-ad_CD6c&ithint=folder%2cjpg">LINK</a></p>

<p>Hi Chip Chipowski,<br>

Thanks a lot for shooting different subjects with different apertures.<br>

Your pictures makes me feel that OOF is better than 50mm f1.8g; of course with 85mm f1.8g we need little more space from subject. So 85mm f1.8g adds to my wish list.<br>

Have a good time.<br>

Malli</p>

<p>I would go with the 85 1.8. I own both lenses and the 85 is clearly better in that area.</p>

<p>-O</p>