Ive been shooting landscapes on my D850 and Z6ii for years now and I have always just stuck to my wide angles but my sister just asked me to do her engagement photos next month and I realized my kit is totally lacking for portraits. I am super hyped to try something new but man lenses get expensive fast. I am looking for that creamy bokeh look without spending a fortune because I am saving up for a trip to Japan this summer so my budget is pretty tight, maybe like $400 max?
Here is what I am looking for:
- sharp wide open at f1.8 or f2
- works well with eye-detect AF if possible
- lightweight because we are gonna be hiking to the spot
- under $400 used or new
I was looking at the 85mm 1.8G since I can adapt it but maybe the 50mm S-line is better even if its shorter? Or maybe some third party stuff like Viltrox? Ive heard mixed things about the focus speed on those cheaper third party lenses. I really want something that makes the subject pop but wont break the bank. What do you guys think is the best bang for buck right now for a Nikon setup? I am mostly worried about the sharpness on the older glass vs the new Z mount stuff...
Honestly, $400 is a tough spot for glass. Unfortunately, the older Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G has some pretty annoying fringing wide open. Its just not as sharp as youd want for that D850 sensor.
- Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 Z Mount Mark II
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S Try to find that 50mm S used. The Viltrox is okay for the price but the AF tracking definitely hunts sometimes... its frustrating.
Agree with the others about being careful. I once used a budget lens for a shoot and the purple fringing was awful... really ruined the vibe. If you want reliability, maybe look for a used Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD.
- check that the firmware is updated for the FTZ and eye-detect
- it has great weather sealing for the hike
- the stabilization is a lifesaver on the D850 I would suggest staying safe.
@Reply #1 - good point! Honestly, I had that old 85mm G for years and the chromatic aberration wide open on high-res sensors like the D850 was just disappointing. Before diving in, which body are you planning to use as your primary for the shoot? The D850 or the Z6ii? Because if you are adapting F-mount lenses, they behave totally differently on DSLR vs mirrorless. If you want something that works on both, I used the Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD for a while. Unfortunately, I had autofocus consistency issues with it on my D850, but it is optically gorgeous. If you decide to stick purely to the Z6ii, you can sometimes find a used Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S close to your budget. It is insanely sharp wide open, way better than the old F-mount glass, though the focal length is a bit short for tight portraits.
