Portrait / Street Lens Suggestion for Nikon D90 ??

[jasonchan20]

Hi Everyone.

My colleague recently introduced me to this kind of cool project called 100 Strangers (http://www.100strangers.com/) and therefore, that's why I am here. At the moment, I have only one lens which is the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II. I would like some suggestions in regards to a very nice Portrait / Street Lens for my Nikon D90. I have been told of a few lenses which could do the job but since there are quite a few, I am getting a bit confused. So far, this is what I have been suggested:

1) Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G
2) Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8D
3) Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM
4) Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Aspherical (IF)
5) Tokina AT-X 165 Pro DX AF 16-50mm f2.8

People also mentioned another Nikon lens and I can't really remember the model but that was quite expensive. And apparently, the 50mm f/1.8D is a lens that all Nikon users should have since it's a very cheap and really great lens.

Anyways, hope you guys can help me to make a decision :)

[ricktas]

The sigma 24-70 f2.8 is another to consider, its a brilliant lens

[kiwi]

I think you want small, light, inconspicuous, fast, wider than 50mm

.......YES OF COURSE........


35 1.8 AF-S

[super duper]

I agree with Kiwi, the 35mm on a cropped frame will give no perspective distortion, and hence more interesting photos.

[jasonchan20]

@ricktas: Thanks for the suggestion. I'll add that to the list and try to read a bit more about it since I can see from the brief google search that it's sort of Macro lens too yeah?

@kiwi: Sorry still a bit newbie here. Were you referring to the lens Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f1.8G?
If yes, I had a look at some reviews about it which is quite good and the price is quite cheap too. Will that be still ok so snap some Graffiti pictures too ? Also, some places are describing it as Micro? What does this mean :S

[kiwi]

Yes, that's the one, I dont think it has macro capability per se though, and yes, perfect to do graffiti becuase of it's lack of distortion.

[jasonchan20]

@kiwi: Thanks. I read a few more reviews about it and it seems a very good lens. Regarding the macro, I meant on some websites they put the description as "Micro" not "Macro" but I have no idea. Might be some typo or something. What would be the main difference between the 35mm and the 50mm though?

[kiwi]

Micro is nikons word for macro, the 35 does focus within a foot and that's quite close, but its not a macro

Read up this...
http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/nikon_35_1p8g_n15/

[jasonchan20]

Cheers kiwi. It must have been a typo on the website for the Micro / Macro. All good though, I have read quite a few reviews today and it looks like I might settle for the 35mm as per your suggestion :)

[virgal_tracy]

I'd also suggest the 17-55. Wonderful lens and works very well on crop sensors. This could be the expensive lens that friends have been suggesting.

[Zonda]

Just to throw one in, i'm using the D90 with a Nikon 35mm F2 and it's a great street lens. It's a little more expensive than the F1.8D but if you plan to go full frame any time in the future you know it will work as well.

I bought the Nikon F1.8 50mm before this and loved it, but after getting the 35mm the 50mm hasn't left my draw in 6 months.

Cheers,

dave

[jasonchan20]

@Zonda: Cheers. I think I might get the 35mm and I'll have a look into the 35mm F2.

Thanks guys for your input :) Appreciate it.

[tanalasta]

It really depends upon your budget and your intent.

The 35mm f/1.8G is fantastic as a walk around prime and the first prime I'd recommend. It's fast, sharp, contrasty even wide open in the centre. Corner performance isn't quite as good but this doesn't matter so much for most portraits and you have to remember it is a $350 lens.

The bokeh is nice, although there is some aberration and outlining, again not unexpected.

For portraiture, one of the 50mm lenses would be more worthwhile. I have a preference for the 85mm f/1.4G but that is quite an expensive, specialised lens. And not as good as a street lens as a moderate telephoto on DX. I love it for portraits. Absolutely love it! The pictures are sharp, colourful and fun.

The 50mm f/1.8D is fantastic value at <$200. You could buy the 35mm f/1.8G and the 50mm f/1.8D for the price of the 50mm f/1.4G.

However, I do find I rarely use the 50mm f/1.4G since buyng the 85mm f/1.4G and that the former isn't quite as sharp wide open as the 35mm f/1.8G either.

For something with macro, portraiture ability, don't neglect the Nikkor f/2.8 AF-S 60mm micro lens.

[monsters]

I second Tana on the 35mm f1.8G as I just got it a few months ago. I am loving it, have been staying on my D90 since!
How i wish i have the money to get the 35mm f1.4.
It's a really good lens if you are looking for something within the $320 budget. I got mine from Michael Camera in Melbourne.
Just rent the lens a for day or two from your nearby shop and try it out!:)

[RRRoger]

Just walk into a shop with your D90 and try the 35 f/1.8 DX out.
I bet you walk out with it still on your camera.

[swifty]

Just to let you know, the 50mm f1.8D's replacement has been announced but not released. It will be an AFS 'G' version of the same lens and will be priced around $250 (price souce: ECS Sydney).
My personal opinon: I like primes and I like the ability to isolate my subject so fast primes would be my recommendation although zooms may be more versatile.
But of course with primes, you need to select your focal length carefully.
Some focal lengths for primes to consider include 35mm, 50mm and 85mm.
35mm (52mm equiv) would be the most versatile and because its wider, it will include more background to show your subject in relation to the surrounding environment.
50mm (75mm equiv) is the cheapest option and an in-between focal length.
85mm (127mm equiv), being longer in focal length is more targetted since you're more likely to isolate just the face or head and shoulders. If you're including the entire body then you're backing up a lot more and may loose that connection with your subject.

If your budget's limited, the 35mm/1.8, 50mm/1.8 and 85mm/1.8 are all quite affordable.
If you have a big budget, then consider a 24mm/1.4, 35mm/1.4, 50mm/1.4 or 85mm/1.4