I use a Samyang 85 1.4 for portraits right now, but I am thinking about getting the Tamron SP AF 70-200mm 1:2.8 Di LD [IF] MACRO
I am curious: What do you use and why?
I use a Samyang 85 1.4 for portraits right now, but I am thinking about getting the Tamron SP AF 70-200mm 1:2.8 Di LD [IF] MACRO
I am curious: What do you use and why?
I had precisley that happening.Well, I guess that's my real advice. Pay attention to the nose and everything else will work itself out.
Any opinions on the tamron?
I use a Samyang 85 1.4 for portraits right now, but I am thinking about getting the Tamron SP AF 70-200mm 1:2.8 Di LD [IF] MACRO
I am curious: What do you use and why?
I have always been partial to 135mm for posed portraits, and 35-50mm for candids. My first prime was a Takumar 135mm f/2.5 and boy is that lens a piece of work.
Have you tried the Zeiss 135mm APO yet? I can say it is the best in its class and a bargain for what it offers.
thank you. Great post!What exactly is your budget and what body are you using?
My favorites for each brand in order from cheapest to most expensive (left to right)
Canon 50mm 1.2L, Nikon 58mm 1.4, Nikon 58mm 1.2 Noct
Nikon 85mm 1.8g, Sigma 85mm 1.4, Nikon 85mm 1.4g, Canon 85mm 1.2L II
Canon 135mm 2L, Nikon 135mm 2 DC
Canon 200mm 1.8L, Nikon 200mm 2 VR II, Canon 200mm 2 ISII
Nikon 400mm 2.8 VR, Canon 400mm VR IS II
Yes, I do shoot portraits at 400mm f2.8 (venue permitting). Here is an example.
Image
Zooms:
Nikon 70-200 f4 VR, Nikon 70-200 f2.8 VR I**, Canon 70-200mm 2.8L IS II
**VR II just has better edge sharpness which doesn't really matter for most portraits.
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I use whatever is at hand. I just happen to know the strengths of each tool and limit myself to those strengths. The Tamron 70-200 is a strong performer (not as venerable as its other 24-70 VC II), but just don't expect it to give you the best when it comes to pleasing transitions between focus to in-focus areas, bokeh production, flare control, fringe control, etc.
A similar price to the Tamron 70-200 would be the Nikon 70-200mm f4 VR. Amazing lens and one of the best VR/IS/VC applications I have seen yet (across all brands).
I had precisley that happening.People complained that their nose is too large. That's why I am thinking about the 70-200 to get more compressed facial features. I heard that the Tamron has to much focus breathing (only really goes to 170mm
) and dxomark says it's not sharp at all at >130mm.
Any opinions on the tamron?
I was super close to renting that piece of glass this weekend for a bridal shoot! Truthfully I'm sheepish towards even borrowing it, because I know that I'll just have to buy it once I spend any real time with it.![]()
You could hunt for an older 85 f/1.4, like this one:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/8514AF.htm
I bought one in 2003 or 2004, and really like it. Used, it might be well-priced.
When I was doing more portrait work than I am now, I always had the Nikkor 85 f/1.8 (the old manual everything one). They were great lenses also.
Back in the day, a lot of people went for the 105 f/2.5 as a portrait lens. I doubt that design ever made it into the auto days, though. I never had one.
+1 for mentioning the older 85 1.4D
-2 for mentioning Ken Rockwell
I already have the nikkor 50mm 1.8g and I really like it. It's an excellent walkaround lens. 50mm is just not very flattering for tighter portraits on FX.Nikon 50/1.4 on a DX body for anything planned and suitable, whatever I have on for unplanned/unexpected![]()
I have been thinking about updating my samyang to a nikkor 85mm 1.8g. But it costs more and I would lose that awesome bokeh wide open.You could hunt for an older 85 f/1.4, like this one:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/8514AF.htm
It would be interesting to hear from someone who has used the tamron and nikkor. The nikkor is triple the price and I am not convinced it's worth it.I have the Nikon 70-200 VR2, it is a fantastic portrait lens. It does have at least as much focus breathing as the Tamron but that's really not an issue if you're shooting portraits and focusing close. I can't comment on the Tamron, but the Nikon is razor sharp throughout the zoom.
I have an older 80-200 mm Nikkor, and it's an amazing lens. However, its size is intimidating. To the degree that my friends (who don't know a first thing about photography) aptly dubbed it »bazooka«.I have the Nikon 70-200 VR2, it is a fantastic portrait lens.