What is the absolute best lens for taking portraits of people with a Nikon DX camera? I just got a D5600 for my birthday and I am so excited to start taking photos but honestly I have no idea where to start because all these numbers like 35mm and 50mm and f/1.8 are super confusing to me. I really want to take some nice blurry background shots of my kids in the backyard this weekend. My budget is pretty tight like maybe $200 or $250 since I just spent a lot on the camera itself. Is there a specific one thats easy for a total beginner to use without messing up the settings too much? sorry if this is a really basic question im just really lost...
Look, to get that bokeh you're after, you need to understand the math behind the crop factor. Your D5600 has a 1.5x multiplier, so the numbers on the lens dont tell the whole story. I've tried many setups over the years, and for a beginner on a budget, these are your best bets:
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G: On your camera, this acts like a 75mm lens. This is the gold standard for portraits because the longer focal length compresses the background, making it look even blurrier.
- Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G: This acts like a 52mm lens. Its better for general use, but youll have to stand much closer to your kids, which can cause some perspective distortion. Basically, the f/1.8 refers to the aperture. The smaller that number, the more light comes in and the blurrier the background gets. Stick with the 50mm if you want those professional looking headshots.
> I really want to take some nice blurry background shots of my kids in the backyard this weekend. My budget is pretty tight like maybe $200 or $250 Honestly, if you want that blurry look without spending a fortune, there is really only one safe bet for a D5600. I started with a similar setup and went through the same confusion. You should look at the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G. It is a solid, reliable lens that just works. The 50mm is generally better for portraits because it lets you stay a bit further back, which is more flattering for faces. The f/1.8 part is what gives you that blurry background youre after. Since its an official Nikon lens, you wont have issues with the autofocus not working or weird errors. Some third-party brands can be hit or miss on entry-level bodies like the D5600, so sticking with the brand name is the safest route for a beginner. To keep it simple, set your camera to the A mode on the top dial and turn the wheel until the screen says 1.8. That is the easiest way to get the look you want without messing up other settings. This lens usually costs around $210 or $220, so it fits right in your budget. If you find the 50mm is a bit too zoomed in for your backyard, the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G is the other standard choice. It is wider so you can fit more in the frame, but the 50mm usually gives a nicer blur for people. Stick to these two and you cant really go wrong.
Agreed, im super satisfied with my Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G.
- buy it used
- check refurbished shops Works great and stays well under budget.
