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Advise on lens for NIKON D200

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Hi - I am just starting out as a child portrait photographer and have alot to learn - and some gear to aquire. I would really love some advice about which lens to purchase.

I will be shooting in studio and on location at the local park. Style wise, I only really like a selective focus - a shallower depth of field and therefore try and shoot wide open as much as possible - the only problem being - I mostly shoot fast moving and erratic subjects (toddlers). Therefore I usually have heaps of reject images based on fuzziness.

I bought the 50mm 1.4 and have had much more success with focus as it is faster than my old glass, but I need something with a longer focal length. I know the 85mm 1.8 is great but my 2 concerns are: feel like I need variable focal length for the park, and maybe 85mm isn't different enough from the 50mm in focal length.

My other two lenses are: AF 24-85mm 2.8-4 (seems very slow to focus on a moving subject - rubbish compared to my 50mm). THE OTHER IS 4-5.6mm AF 70-210. Very old and seems slow but just found it and haven't really used it alot.

I am only interested in Nikon lenses. Money isn't an issue - I just want the right lens. Love the 70-200 2.8 but a bit concerned about weight. Don't know if I should be.

What do you all think I should get?

Long posting I know.

Thanks

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February 29, 2008

I find it best to work with my 200mm
when doing portraits 100-300 is recommended, you do not want to be switching lens alot in a portrait sitting and you are working with a space that allows you little control of your background.
Typical "portrait" lenses are therefore between 90 and 135 MM long.
most professionals use 70-200/2.8 or 80-200/2.8 zooms as portrait lenses,
or better yet 100 or 105 macro.
A lot depends on where you want to start and you pocket book.
I hope this helps,
Debby Tabb
* In my reg portrait sitting camera bag I have:
Nikon D200 and Fuji S2
Nikon 24-120mm 1:3.5 Vr Lens
Tamron 28-300 AF 1:3.5 macro lens
Tamron 28-200 AF 1:3.5 macro lens
on site extras:
SB800s
Polarizes, soft focus and Centre Soft and asst. other filters depending on the job.

You may also find alot of help in the Studio Photography Threads:

Thread # 1 (of 23)

http://www.betterphoto.com/forms/QnAdetail.php?threadID=17534

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February 29, 2008

you already have a standard 50 mm lens which is fast, but with the 1.4, you've probably found out that you have to be very careful about your focal point.

I just bought the Sigma 50-150 mm II lens. It's a pro grade, and a 2.8

It isn't a small lens, but is nice.
I like working in the 50-100mm range for studio, but if you are outside, the zoom will give you a range to work in too.

Basically, you need to find the zoom range and the brand of lens you want, your price point you can work with and get a fixed 2.8.

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March 02, 2008

Bill

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March 06, 2008

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March 06, 2008

Bill

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March 07, 2008