Im so stoked to finally start shooting portraits of my friends! I have a D5600 and my kit lens just isnt cutting it for that blurry background look. My budget is pretty tight, like under 250 bucks. I keep seeing people swear by the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 but then others say the 50mm f/1.8 is way better for portraits because of the compression. Im super confused because the 50mm on my crop sensor feels kinda tight for indoor shots, but I really want those creamy bokehs. Do you think the 50mm is worth the struggle in small rooms or should I just stick with the 35mm? Would love to know what you guys think before I pull the trigger on ebay...
Oh man, congrats on getting into portraits! Its honestly such a fun journey. I started out on a similar Nikon body and remember the exact same struggle. If you want that gorgeous background blur without spending a fortune, you really cant go wrong with the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G. Since you mentioned shooting indoors, the 35mm is way more practical on a crop sensor. The 50mm just feels so cramped when you are trying to back up against a wall in a small room! I love my 35mm because it is sharp, lightweight, and super affordable if you hunt for a good deal on the used market. It gives you that creamy look you are craving while still letting you actually fit your friends in the frame. If you really want that 50mm look later on, the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G is also fantastic and usually pretty cheap, but I would definitely start with the 35mm first. You will save a ton of cash and honestly, it is way easier to learn composition when you arent fighting your lens to fit everyone in! Just make sure you check the glass for scratches before you buy on ebay, and maybe grab a cheap protective filter. You are gonna love it, have so much fun shooting!
Like someone mentioned, third-party glass is solid. If you want a portrait lens that wont break the bank, grab the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary. Be careful with focus, tho.
Just catching up on this thread. Honestly, have you looked into third-party options? You can often find glass that fits your budget way better than the brand name stuff. Before you commit, I have two quick questions:
- How much space do you actually have to back up when shooting?
- Are you shooting mostly headshots or full body frames? Knowing those details makes it way easier to pick the right focal length for your specific setup.
This ^
Ugh, tell me about it. The struggle to find decent glass on a budget is just exhausting. I spent way too many hours scrolling through listings trying to find something that wouldnt break the bank or my camera mount.
- The whole hunt for affordable gear is honestly just stressful. You worry about getting scammed on a used deal or ending up with soft focus issues.
- Ive been down that road with the Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 Z and yeah, it works, but the QC can be a total gamble. Make sure you check for lens fungus or any weird rattling if you go used.
- Even looking at the Tamron 35mm f/1.8 Di VC USD makes my wallet hurt, even though the quality is solid. I just hate how expensive everything is lately. Its really frustrating when you just want to take decent shots without needing to take out a second mortgage. I feel your pain with the small room dilemma too, its the absolute worst.
