Best prime lens for DSLR portrait photography?

What is the best prime lens for Nikon DSLR portrait photography? Why do you

pick this as the best? All opinions will be appreciated.

 

I am being vague on purpose...

For headshots it's the 85 f1.4.

 

For full-body shots it's the 55 f2.8 Micro (Gorgeous Bokeh).

 

For cheap it's a 50 f1.8 (sharp, but average bokeh)

85mm 1.8 and 1.4 are still the kings in my mind.

50 f/1.2 AIS

85 f/.4 AF D

85 f/1.8 AI-S

105 f/2.5 AI

105 f/2 D DC

135 f/2 D DC

 

I shoot with the 50 85 1.8 105 2.5 and the 135 2.0 They all have there uses

 

Michael

Sorry that should be 85 f/1.4

An 85mm .4! Saaaaaweeeeeeeet! I can see it now, 200mm filter threads, 40 pounds, and the price of a house on the west coast. :)

 

Jim

I'll second Adam for the 55mm f/2.8 micro - nice bokeh. But... maybe too sharp for some subjects?

 

When that's not long enough, the 75-150mm f/3.5 Series E - very nice bokeh. Also very sharp.

 

I guess Photoshop has enough ways to "fix" a portrait with too much fine detail. So, "too sharp" isn't a problem any more.

The best that I've used are the aforementioned 85/1.4 AFD and 55mm/2.8 AIS.

 

The Zeiss 85mm may also be in the running, though I've never used it.

Also, if it's not too long for your needs, the classic 105/2.5 AIS.

Great responses. I would like to add to the forum by asking does anyone have experience with the Nikon 50mm 1.4?

50/1.4 = sharp center; light fall off at the corners when wide open, harsh bokeh. NONE of the Nikon 50mm have very good bokeh.

Hi, dear friend. The Nikkor AF D 60 mm f/ 2,8 (90 mm f/ 2,8 on Nikon DSLR) it's an excellent choice. The AF D 85 mm f/ 1,8 or f/ 1,4 (127,5 mm f/ 1,8 or f/ 1,4 on Nikon DSLR) or AF D 105 mm f/ 2 DC (157,5 mm f/ 2 DC on Nikon DSLR) are also excellent.

Ciao

M. Bradtke covered it all.

 

I might add the 58/1.2 Noct (don't own one, can't afford one at the moment) if you are lucky enough to find one.

 

Personally, I like the CZJ Biotar 75/1.5 that I modified for a Nikon F mount.

 

These (58mm and 75mm) focal lengths are not thrown in here because they are odd lengths for Nikon. I mention them beacuse of the suitability to the cropped APS-C sized sensor.

I'm gonna say what I like best. What you might like, I don't know. For what it's worth here goes: 50 mm AF-D f/1.8. The best all around. For closer crop, such as face portraits, the 85 mm 1.8 fits the bill very well.

 

When Nikon will have a FF DSLR, then and only then, you might think about a 105 mm.

 

Have fun!

I'm partial to the 50mm. Most of the time I use the f1.4 because I like the little bit of extra brightness but I sometimes use the f1.8.

 

On a digital body, the working distance and perspective fit the sort of pictures I like to shoot - headshots of kids. I'd usually use some thing longer for adults.<div></div>

By my use of "full frame" above, I meant "uncropped", not that I was using a full-frame sensor.

I think I've mentioned before that I like the 45/2.8 AI-P better than ANY of the Nikon 50's for every application including portraits.

"When that's not long enough, the 75-150mm f/3.5 Series E - very nice bokeh. Also very sharp."

 

i love this lens, so glad i kept it.

17-55/2.8 won't do the job, Eric?!<div></div>

oh it certainly does Vivek. I'm often at the 55 end of things though.

IMO, the 45mm f2.8 AIP and the 85mm f1.4 AFD. If the 85mm f1.4 AFD is too pricy, the V/C 90mm f3.5 is also a splendid lens.

KL IX - are you kidding about the 50mm 1.4 having harsh bokeh? i strongly disagree.

 

Robert, i suggest you try this lens out and decide for yourself. shoot it wide open and

judge the bokeh for yourself. i absolutely love mine and think it's well worth the $300.

Nothing wrong with this bokeh.<div></div>

i don't know of a single Nikkor that has harsh bokie wokie. maybe there is one, maybe one is more pleasant over the other, but one that is harsh?

You want a list, Eric? None of the 50s from Nike come close to the 50/2 Summicron R.