Is the Nikon 50mm 1.8G still the king of budget portraits or should I be looking at the 85mm 1.8G instead? Im trying to upgrade my gear before my sisters wedding in July and my budget is strictly under 450 bucks.
I shoot on a D750 so both are options, but Im really torn. The 50mm is so cheap and lightweight, which is great because I hate lugging heavy stuff around, but everyone says the compression on an 85mm is way better for faces. I found a decent used copy of the 85mm locally for 380, which is right at my limit, but the 50mm is brand new for way less. I guess I just dont know if the extra reach is worth the cash, especially since I mostly shoot indoors in cramped living rooms where the 85 might feel too tight.
Do you think the 50mm is good enough for pro-looking shots or am I gonna regret not having that extra focal length? Its mostly just for family stuff and hobby portraits but I really want that nice blurry background look without breaking the bank...
Regarding what #1 said about shooting indoors, they are spot on. I would suggest sticking with the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G because weddings get crowded fast.
- Save the extra cash for a decent speedlight, you will need it indoors.
- Check if you can rent an 85mm for the weekend first.
- Dont blow the whole budget if you dont have backup gear.
> I mostly shoot indoors in cramped living rooms where the 85 might feel too tight. Honestly, if you are stuck indoors, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G is the way to go. I used the 85mm in a small apartment once and spent the whole time pinned against the wall. The 50mm is just more versatile for tight spaces and honestly looks great. Save your cash for a better flash or something else.
Honestly, grab that Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G if you can swing it for 380! I know people worry about space, but the bokeh you get with the 85 is just miles ahead of the 50. It makes portraits look so much more professional, like that creamy background blur that everyone wants for wedding shots. Plus, if you're on a D750, the subject separation is gonna be amazing compared to the 50mm. Since you're worried about the indoor space, just make sure you've got a little room to move. If you really feel like the 85 is too tight for full-body shots, you can always just step back into the hallway or doorway to get the frame you need. Trust me, the compression on faces at 85mm is super flattering and you'll be stoked with the results for your sister's big day. It's totally worth stretching the budget for that look! Good luck with the wedding prep!
Coming back to this, I would honestly be a bit careful about locking yourself into a prime lens for a wedding setting if you havent practiced the distance much. Using an 85mm in tight spots is pretty brutal, but even the 50mm can get tricky if you end up with a large group shot and no room to back up against a wall. IIRC, the distortion on a 50mm is fine for portraits, but you have to be super mindful of how close you get to the subject's face, or features start looking a bit weird. Personally, I think you might want to consider renting a lens for a weekend before you pull the trigger on that used 85mm. It is a solid deal price-wise, but making sure it actually fits your shooting style is key. I'm not 100% sure if you'd love the look of the 50mm for formal portraits, though many people swear by it for years. Just be careful with focus peaking and make sure to test your autofocus fine-tune on your D750 body if you go with the used option, as older glass can sometimes have a little back or front focus issue. Whatever you choose, just bring a flash or some extra lighting because indoor rooms can get dim fast, and you dont want to crank that ISO too high on your sensor. You've got this, just take it slow.
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