Best portrait/head shot lens for the D600

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afm901
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p.2 #1 · Best portrait/head shot lens for the D600

Does this topic have to pop up for every FX Nikon that comes out. Surely this has been hashed over numerous times in the past. Did you do a search

Scott

Oct 08, 2012 at 06:41 AM

zesto
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p.2 #2 · Best portrait/head shot lens for the D600

That's just the nature of Internet forums Scott. Live and let live.

Oct 08, 2012 at 08:16 AM

blutch
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p.2 #3 · Best portrait/head shot lens for the D600

Sorry Scott... I realized there was a long thread on this very subject at the Nikon Cafe after I posted it. My bad.

Oct 08, 2012 at 02:20 PM

Red G8R
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p.2 #4 · Best portrait/head shot lens for the D600

I'm surprised no one mentioned the Nikon 85mm f1.8. I don't have one (although on order) but Ming Thein rated it very high.

Oct 08, 2012 at 02:26 PM

zippy_monster
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p.2 #5 · Best portrait/head shot lens for the D600

zesto wrote:
Jammy Straub wrote:
For strictly head shots I like the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 , for some reason I like it's OOF rendering for portraits better than the Nikon 85mm f/1.4G, ......

+1

I think the 200 f/2 is the best for head portraits but that's out of the question for the OP and perhaps the Zeiss 100 f/2 MP is too. So definitely the Sigma f/1.4 as it has a special dreamy look to it and represents excellent value for the money.

What about the 180/2.8?

Oct 09, 2012 at 03:44 AM

brianjb
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p.2 #6 · Best portrait/head shot lens for the D600

My vote goes to either the Nikon 85/1.4D or the Nikon 105/2.8 VR. The 85/1.4D is as sharp as any of the other candidates in the center. It is softer than the Nikon 1.4 and 1.8 G models at the border, but this usually isn't an issue for portraits. At least it never has been for me. It focuses faster than both of the G lenses, and it's bokeh is only surpassed by the Nikon 105/2.8 VR. For the price, I think it is a great value.

The 105/2.8 VR is sharp across the frame wide open, and as I mentioned it has the best bokeh of anything being considered here. A used copy can be found for about the same price as the 85/1.4D. You gain silent focus, but it doesn't focus as fast. You also obviously lose the larger aperture of the 1.4.

IMO, those are the two best portrait lenses under $1000. The Sigma 85/1.4 isn't too far behind.

Oct 09, 2012 at 02:43 PM

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