So I just got asked by my cousin to shoot her backyard engagement party next month and im super stoked but also kinda panicking because all I have right now is my trusty D7200 and the basic 18-55mm kit lens. The lighting is probably gonna be tricky since it starts in the late afternoon and goes into the evening, and I really want to get those gorgeous creamy blurry backgrounds for their couple portraits. My budget is super tight right now, looking to spend max $200 since I'm doing this mostly as a favor but also want to build my portfolio.
Ive been researching like crazy and Im torn between a few options that seem to fit my budget.
- First is the classic Nikon 50mm f/1.8G. I can find it used for around $150. Everyone says its the king of budget lenses and the f/1.8 should be amazing for low light, but on my crop sensor D7200 it acts like a 75mm which might be a bit tight if I have to shoot indoors.
- Second option is the Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8. It is ridiculously cheap, like under $80 new on Amazon, which would save me a ton of cash. But Im worried the autofocus might be slow or loud, and I dont want to miss shots when people are moving around.
- Third is a used Nikon 85mm f/1.8D which I saw on marketplace for $180. I know the bokeh on this is supposed to be legendary, but since its the D version, will it autofocus okay on my D7200? And is 85mm (which is like 127mm on my camera) just way too tight for a backyard party?
Im really leaning towards the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G just to play it safe, but that Yongnuo price tag is so tempting. What do you guys think would be the best move for this specific shoot?
Unfortunately, the Yongnuo had issues with slow autofocus in low light. Stick to these:
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G
- Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Let me know if you need more lens ideas!
Saw this earlier and wanted to chime in. Since you are on a D7200, the body has a focus motor so the Nikon AF-D NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8D will actually autofocus fine. Still, 127mm equivalent is likely too tight for a backyard gig. Your best bet is the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G. It hits the sweet spot for compression and low light, and you can easily find it under budget used. If you think space will be tight, the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G is a solid runner-up. It is wider and super cheap, though you lose some of that compression. I would grab the 50mm and just use your kit lens for wider group shots when needed. Let me know if you want some tips on setting up the D7200 for the low light transitions!
Skip the super cheap knockoffs and older D-type lenses for a high-stakes gig like this! You absolutely need something reliable that wont fail you when the sun goes down, and cheaping out is a recipe for disaster. Here is what you need to watch out for:
- Autofocus speed on cheap third-party glass is notoriously sluggish and will hunt constantly in low light.
- Older D-series lenses rely on the camera screw-drive motor, which is slower, louder, and prone to back-focusing issues.
- Shooting at wide apertures leaves zero room for focus errors, so a missed focus means a ruined shot. Stick to a modern first-party lens with an internal autofocus motor. The reliability is night and day, and you will actually get sharp shots instead of blurry, frustrating misses!
