lens pick

gman

New member
I have a question about two lenses for my Nikon D7100. the 85mmG f 1.8 and the 50mm f 1.4, both are nearly the same in price, but not sure which way to go. I wanted to use either for a job doing a family portrait. The 50 would be like a 72 mm and the 85 like a 127 on the 7100. I would like to get what I pay for though, rather than spend over a thousand. thanks. I also have the 16-85 Nikkor zoom. I would think a prime lens may be sharper ???
 

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
I have a question about two lenses for my Nikon D7100. the 85mmG f 1.8 and the 50mm f 1.4, both are nearly the same in price, but not sure which way to go. I wanted to use either for a job doing a family portrait. The 50 would be like a 72 mm and the 85 like a 127 on the 7100. I would like to get what I pay for though, rather than spend over a thousand. thanks. I also have the 16-85 Nikkor zoom. I would think a prime lens may be sharper ???

Typically, a prime lens is sharper... BUT...

Try some samples with your zoom... then ask 2 questions..
1. How is the sharpness??? Is it ok for your project, you just maybe saved money...
2. If you want a prime, again using your zoom.. what Focal length do your use more??? 50ish or 80 - 85??? Test the focal lengths for the project (as in #1) What works best there, 50 or 85??

Just some thoughts....

Pat in NH
 

John!

Senior Member
50mm may be better for group portraits, 85mm is also a great portrait lens. I have 50mm and 85mm and they are both great primes.
Have you considered the 50mm 1.8? After trying both the 50mm 1.4 and 1.8, I purchased the 1.8. I found image quality of the 50mm 1.4 at f1.4 is not very good, it improves greatly when stopped down a little and at 1.8 the IQ is about the same on both lenses.
 

stmv

Senior Member
Personally,, I would buy an el cheapo 50 mm 1.8 D, and the 85 1.8 D for the 7100,, you don't need G lens..

50 mm 1.8 D 120 dollars.
85 mm 1.8 G 480 dollars or 85 mm 1.8 D same prie

Not enough difference between the 1.4 and 1.8 in the 50mm to make it worth the price. and the
50 mm 1.8 D is very sharp.

Maybe the 85 1.8 G is sharper,, but I just prefer the build qualit of the D lens, and soon, the D lens will be sold out, and not available I suspect.
 

pedroj

Senior Member
I'm with stmv if you think you need another lens, but the lens you have would do a very good job...F5.6 at 35mm and place your subject as far as possible away from the back ground..
 

JDFlood

Senior Member
Personally, I would go hor the 50mm. Good in low light, good to reduce DOF, good for other things ( I shoot mostly primes, cuz they are sharper and lighter). The 85 is getting pretty hard core telephoto... Not as useful for non-portraits. Using you zoom to emulate... Great idea. JD
 

gman

New member
Thanks for the responses, I'm thinking I might go with the 50mm, using it on a D7100 would be like a 72mm, plus it supposedly is a sharp lens. I'll let you know how I like it, when I get it, thanks again.
 

eurotrash

Senior Member
Every modern lens is 'sharp'. At least, acceptably sharp. I'm tired of seeing photos of people that are so over sharp my eyes feel like they're bleeding.
 

JDFlood

Senior Member
Interesting perspective Eurotrash. You mean photos are over "sharpened"? Cuz if you shoot raw without sharpening most lenses don't look all that sharp. JD
 

eurotrash

Senior Member
Some even sharpen jpeg images without need! :confused: Yes, the overuse or improper use of sharpening is really what I'm griping about I suppose..
 

WeeHector

Senior Member
Can't agree more. When I got my D3100 and installed View NX2 I automatically sharpened my photos to level 10. I am now much more choosy as it doesn't work on lots of photos. Too many people go over the top with photo processing and need to think about what they want to show.
 
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