Best Aperture for Models Using the 50mm 1.8d?

[Lautermilch]

I shoot in south Florida so most of the time I can get all the light I want.

For those that have this lens and do portraits/models is there a 'best' aperture?

 

[aroy]

There is aperture that is sharpest at F4, and there is wide open for isolation. The difference in sharpness between F1.8 and F8 is not all that much as evident in the sharpness tests, but corner sharpness improves by F8

Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8 D - Review / Test Report - Analysis

 

[Horoscope Fish]

I wouldn't really want to shoot models with a 50mm because that focal length wouldn't provide good compression. That being said, for models and portraits I shoot around f/4, generally speaking, and a lot of conditions or considerations can change that decision. I don't try to reduce photography to a series of "recipes" like that. You go with what works, with what gives you the shot you want under the circumstances you have.

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[Lautermilch]

I wouldn't really want to shoot models with a 50mm because that focal length wouldn't provide good compression. That being said, for models and portraits I shoot around f/4, generally speaking, and a lot of conditions or considerations can change that decision. I don't try to reduce photography to a series of "recipes" like that. You go with what works, with what gives you the shot you want under the circumstances you have.

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When I have the money I do want to get the 85mm 2.8.
I did spend some time this morning in Adobe Bridge and using the filter on a few different model raw file collections I found I was getting better results at 5.6 than 4.0 with the distance I use from the models.

I work with newbies and have learned to 'train' them not to move until I give the signal as I use many apertures for the same shot.

 

[Kroontje]

On a DX Camera you can use it for portrait shoot. It's than a nice lens to use
About the aperture..take a f/4 if you take without any studio lights.
If you're using studio lights than you can take about f/8 to f/11. Then the background is nice.
But for model shoot....please take a other lens if you can. It not bad to use...but don liked it for model-shoot
Personally i use the 24-70 f/2.8

Gr Kroontje

 

[J-see]

I don't know what cam you use but on mine, the center becomes sharp once I hit f/2.8 and the corners catch up when I close down around f/5.6.

 

[Lautermilch]

I don't know what cam you use but on mine, the center becomes sharp once I hit f/2.8 and the corners catch up when I close down around f/5.6.

I am using Bridge and Lightroom to view the different apertures and do agree that 2.8 does stand out just a bit more.

 

[Pretzel]

I don't shoot models, per-say, but I do a lot of portrait sessions on the side. Wide-open for faces or head/shoulder shots tends to blur out features here and there, so I usually go anywhere from f2.8-f4. For full body shots, you can sometimes go down to 1.8 for isolation, but even then I usually don't drop below 2.8. The further back I am, the lower f-stop I choose to keep the isolation.

I wouldn't go above f4 unless you really want a lot of the background in focus too, which will often detract from your "model".

My .02 as a semi-pro "hack".