What is the best portrait lens for a DX body that won't break the bank? I've been shooting with my D5600 for about two years now so I'm pretty comfortable with manual settings and all that, but I've mostly stuck to landscapes. My sister asked me to do her engagement photos next month in this tiny studio space I found in Chicago and I'm realizing my kit lens just isn't gonna cut it for that nice bokeh.
I was looking at the 50mm f/1.8G but on a crop sensor it feels so zoomed in, especially in a small room. Would the 35mm f/1.8 work better or am I gonna get weird barrel distortion on their faces? Budget is like $350 max...
I bought the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G thinking it was the holy grail for portraits. It was basically useless in a small apartment. I kept hitting the walls trying to frame a simple shot. Unfortunately, I moved to the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G and had some issues there too. It is just not as good as expected for tight headshots.
- The perspective makes faces look wider if you get too close
- Focus hunting was a big problem in low light for me
- Sharpness at f/1.8 was honestly pretty disappointing If you are stuck in a tiny Chicago studio, you probably dont have much choice but to use the 35mm focal length. I also tried the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM which is safer for framing, but the bokeh just isnt as creamy as a prime lens. My advice is to go with the 35mm but stay a few feet back and crop the image later. It is the only way to avoid that weird distortion on their faces while still fitting them in the frame. Just dont expect it to look like those high-end 85mm shots you see online... it was a bit of a letdown for me personally.
I struggled with those same choices for years. Honestly, the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G was a letdown for me. While the focal length is better for small studios, the chromatic aberration is just brutal on high-contrast shots. I had issues with it being soft wide open, too.
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G: Great for outdoor headshots but unfortunately useless in a tiny Chicago studio. Youll be backing into the hallway just to get the framing right.
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art: If you can find this used for around $300, jump on it. Much sharper than the Nikon primes and that f/1.4 is a lifesaver in low light.
- Tamron SP 35mm f/1.8 Di VC USD: This has built-in stabilization which is nice, but it is a bit pricier than the standard Nikon equivalent. Dont worry too much tho, you can definitely make it work. If you stick with the 35mm, just keep your subjects away from the corners to avoid that weird stretching. Good luck with your sisters shoot, itll be a blast!
That tiny studio space in Chicago sounds like a classic setup for a disaster, honestly. It immediately took me back to this one winter where I tried to shoot a professional headshot session in a cramped rented spot downtown. I was using my Nikon D5600 and I was so worried about which glass to bring, but the logistics ended up being the real killer.
- The heater in the building was clanking so loud we couldnt even talk.
- I forgot to account for the extra 40 bucks in tolls and parking fees.
- The walls were painted this weird off-white that gave everyone a sickly yellow skin tone. I remember standing there thinking about how much Id spent on my setup just to have a radiator ruin the vibe. You really have to be careful with those older buildings in the city because they have a mind of their own. I ended up spending most of my budget on extra gaffer tape and some portable fans because it was like 80 degrees in that little room. Its funny how you plan for the bokeh and the perfect shot, but then reality hits and youre just trying not to sweat on your Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G while your client is getting annoyed. I still think about that session whenever someone mentions shooting in a small Chicago studio... it was just a total mess from start to finish.
Did this last week, worked perfectly
TIL! Thanks for sharing