I would like to know what would be a great lens for doing both outdoor and indoor portraits and head shots. Both natural and artificial light.

Thank you for your suggestions.

B

For head shots I use any of the following:
Sigma 85mm/1.4
Nikon 105mm VR
Nikon 70-200 VR-I (cuz I couldn't afford the VR-II upgrade)
Nikon 200/2 VR-I

The 85 is wonderful for portraits, and I like Sigma version over Nikon G version (esp when considering the price-performance ratio).

Depending on the working distance, and venue/setting, I will also use the 105 VR macro, or the 200/2 VR. Both fantastic lenses.

But a lot of times, the 70-200 may already be on my camera, and it's a true workhorse. Its bokeh may not be on par with the f/1.4 or f/2 lenses, but I've never gotten a complaint.

My favorite FF Nikkor portrait lens is the 200mm F 2.0 @ F2.0. This is a magical lens. Just rent one to be convinced.

The 200/2 is a great lens and one of my favorites, but it's funny it gets recommended here as a "lens for doing both outdoor and indoor portraits". I think it's too long for indoors. If you're looking for one lens that works for both cases, go with an 85mm lens. Depending on your budget, you can consider the 85/1.8G as a very good bargain option, or go for the very best which is the 85/1.4G.

200/2 is a great lens, actually the best but what about the price and weight, the best choice looks like 85, i suggest Siggy 85 1.4 if you're asking primes. I went from primes to zooms and sold it.

I should have said - other than the 200/f2 because there is no way I will ever be able to afford that one.

A 70-200mm VRII is on my list for other reasons - Concert photography - but if it will do portraits and head shots well that's a bonus. I would like a prime.. it is looking more like an 85 of some sort would be the way to go. I'd like to find one of those Samyang 85's, but they are hard to come by used. B

Samyang is manual focus, sometimes people may not want to wait too much when doing portraits, but still why not, i'm using 70-200vr2 and 24-70 for portraits, so i have tons of focal range choice

85 1.4d, new one can be a bit contrasty for portraits...

85 gets my vote

The 85/1.4 Sigma is my first choice as a portrait lens, too -- though it's not really the best for a tight headshot. For something that tight, I'd prefer a 105 at minimum, and something like a 135/150/180 would be better still.

I'm not crazy about head shot portraits, anyway. Once you get past marveling at how good they look technically, you may find that a looser frame offers more contextual information that makes the portrait more meaningful. Part of what I like about 85mm lenses is that the looser framing tells a fuller story.

I don't disagree SS, but a professional headshot for an actor/singer is not necessarily intended to tell a story. It is all about capturing a the face and a look to impress casting agents and directors. I've noticed that some of the most popular photogs doing this now are going to extreme close ups. B

70-200mm VRII. It is by far the best portrait lens I have. Have used 85mm's and would rather have the flexibility of the 70-200mm. Plus 200mm @ f2.8 gives a very similar look to 85mm @ f1.4. Plus it is much sharper at 2.8!

My favorite primes would have to be the 135 f/2 DC or the 105 f/2 DC. My favorite zoom would be the 70-200vr I.

Kerry

Hardcore wrote:
70-200mm VRII. It is by far the best portrait lens I have. Have used 85mm's and would rather have the flexibility of the 70-200mm. Plus 200mm @ f2.8 gives a very similar look to 85mm @ f1.4. Plus it is much sharper at 2.8!

I completely agree. I often use a 100 macro as I like the additional distance from the subject but the flexibility of the zoom AND its sharpness bring me back to it every time.

blutch wrote:
I don't disagree SS, but a professional headshot for an actor/singer is not necessarily intended to tell a story. It is all about capturing a the face and a look to impress casting agents and directors. I've noticed that some of the most popular photogs doing this now are going to extreme close ups. B

Yup, that's a clear situation whre a tight headshot is appropriate. For that use, I'd definitely go for something longer than 85mm.

I love my 85 1.4G on FX, much more than my 105 VR. Not because of the focal length but because I think the 85 is sharper and with smoother bokeh.

its nice to be able to use around 105-135mm for FX for head and head/shoulder shots
so either the 105 f2 dc , 135 f2 dc , the 70-200 VR is also ok.

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, though for a general purpose lens the Nikon get the nod

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.