honestly i am so fed up with my kit lens because the backgrounds just look messy and distracted no matter what i do. im shooting my sisters engagement photos in like three weeks in portland and i am lowkey panicking because i need that professional blurry look. my logic was to get a 50mm 1.8 because its cheap but then i saw some 85mm shots and now im torn. i only have about $350 to spend and i dont know if the 85mm is too tight for full body shots outdoors. i keep going back and forth and its driving me crazy... which one is actually going to save my life here?
Late to the party but honestly you should check the used market to stretch that 350 budget. The technical difference between focal lengths really comes down to your sensor. If you are shooting on a DX body, the 85mm behaves like a 127mm lens. It is incredible for compression but you will be standing a mile away for full-body shots. If you have the space outdoors, it works fine.
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G used usually goes for around 300 and offers much better subject separation than any 50mm.
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G used is often under 300 and gives you a slightly creamier background than the 1.8 version.
- Tamron SP 45mm f/1.8 Di VC USD is a solid third-party choice with stabilization which helps if your hands get shaky during the shoot. Check sites like MPB or KEH so you get a warranty. Just make sure you get AF-S glass so the autofocus actually works on your body.
hey there... just adding my two cents because i dont want you to panic right before the shoot. since you only have three weeks, i would suggest being really careful about jumping into a new focal length without testing it first. especially if you go for the longer one, you might find yourself backing into a bush or a street in portland just to get a full body shot. i would definitely stick with the nikon brand primes though, because their autofocus is usually way more reliable than some of the cheaper third party stuff you see online. if you are still feeling torn, go check out the nikon lens simulator on their website. it lets you toggle between different focal lengths on different sensor sizes so you can actually see how much room you will need. also maybe browse some groups on flickr for those focal lengths to see the compression difference. honestly just getting any of the mid-range nikon primes will be a massive upgrade over your kit lens. just make sure you give yourself a few days to practice before the big day so you arent fumbling with the gear in front of your sister.
I have been very satisfied with both lenses, but for an engagement shoot, reliability is what matters most.
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G: This is the safest bet. It works well for full-body shots and is very sharp.
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G: This offers more blur but can be difficult to use in tight spaces. Go with the 50mm. It is a solid, professional choice that wont fail you.
