honestly im so over my 24-70 f/4 z kit lens. i took some shots of my sister in a park near my house in portland last weekend and they just look so... flat? the background isnt melting away like i want it to and its driving me crazy because i spent good money on this body and the photos look like they came from a phone.
i need something that actually feels professional for headshots. im looking to drop maybe 900 bucks tops but i cant decide between the 85mm or maybe a 50mm 1.8 s. everyone says the 85 is the king for portraits but i dont want to be standing a mile away. what prime is actually gonna give me that wow factor on a z6ii?
ive been looking at the MTF charts and unfortunately the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S is just too clinical. I used it for a session last week and the background separation was not as good as expected, it just didnt pop. For that Z6II wow factor, you really need the 85mm focal length for compression.
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S - incredible sharpness and bokeh.
- Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.8 Z STM - decent budget option tho AF is slower.
Building on the earlier suggestion, i actually think the native 85mm s is a bit of a letdown for the price. i used it for a while and was pretty disappointed by how sterile the images felt. unfortunately, i had issues with the bokeh looking kinda distracting in some park shots, which was not as good as expected for a lens that costs that much. if you want that wow factor without the nikon tax, check out the Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.8 Z STM II. i know some folks are wary about third party reliability, but it has been a workhorse for me. it saves you a ton of money and honestly gives you a similar look. i wouldnt even consider a 50mm for what you are describing... it just wont have that compression and you will probably feel like your photos still look too much like the kit lens... which is basically just money down the drain tho.
Regarding what #1 said about the MTF charts, those lab stats dont tell the whole story anyway. Just a heads up tho, 85mm is risky if you dont have a massive studio or tons of outdoor space. Youll literally be shouting at your sister to move back. Also, watch out for that razor thin focus at f/1.8... missing the eye by an inch ruins the whole professional vibe. A 50mm is generally more manageable for most.
Yep been there done that. Can confirm everything said above is spot on.
