Im honestly just fed up with my kit zoom for portraits. The images look so flat and the bokeh is just messy, not creamy at all. So I was thinking about getting a dedicated prime but I keep going back and forth.
My logic was that the 85mm f1.8 is the standard, but I mostly work out of a cramped studio space in Seattle and I feel like I wont have enough room. Maybe a 50mm is safer? I have about $750 and need it before a big gig next month. Is the Z glass really that much better or should I just get an older lens? I just want my shots to finally look professional...
In my experience shooting in those tight PNW studios, youre right to worry about working distance with an 85mm. For headshots you might be okay, but for three-quarter or full body in a cramped space? Forget it. Youll be backing into the drywall before you get the framing right. I've tried many different setups over the years and honestly, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S is probably the most technically impressive prime for the money right now. It isnt just about the focal length tho. The technical data on the Z line is just superior to the old F-mount stuff. In my testing, the corner-to-corner sharpness and the way it handles longitudinal chromatic aberration is basically miles ahead of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G. The MTF charts dont lie—youre getting resolution that rivals lenses twice the price. Since you mentioned the gig is next month, sticking with Z glass is definitely the move because the stepper motors are way more reliable for eye-detect AF compared to the older gear. If you really want that 85mm compression but lack the square footage, youre gonna struggle. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S is a dream lens, but in a small studio, youll be limited to tight headshots. The 50mm is way more versatile. The bokeh is exceptionally clean on the Z primes too, no onion rings or distracting cats-eye bokeh at the edges. Tbh, for a $750 budget, you can grab the Z 50mm and still have cash left for lighting. Its a no-brainer for a professional look.
Ive tried many setups and the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S is definitely the way to go. Its sharper than old glass and fits your budget easily. The 85mm is just too tight.
Seriously, dont even waste your time with older adapted glass when the native Z lenses are this good. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S is an absolute masterpiece and it will give you that high-end look immediately! It is vastly superior to the older F-mount primes because the optics are designed for the larger mount, resulting in incredible sharpness even wide open at f/1.8. Working in a cramped Seattle studio makes the 50mm a much smarter choice than the 85mm. You will actually have the physical space to move around and frame your shots properly without backing into a wall. Plus, it usually retails around $600, so it fits perfectly under your $750 budget. The bokeh is fantastic... very creamy and professional, nothing like the messy backgrounds you get from a kit zoom. It is basically the perfect tool for your upcoming gig!
