[sachin.r.saraf]

Hello,

I am looking for suggestions on a good portraiture lens. Following are my requirements -

1. interested in capturing facial expressions, and interested in individuals rather than groups
2. don’t expect to always be able to close to the subject, so I’m looking for a zoom lens which is telephoto on the longer side.
3. looking for a Nikkor or a Sigma (Tamrons and Tonikas etc are not easily available in my city).

Kindly advise. It would help immensely if you could provide links to some such photos you might have taken before.

Regards,
Sachin

[M1ke A]

I'm not a Nikon man myself but the classic focal length for portraits is 80 - 100mm.

As a PBase member, I can recommend the camera search function that allows you to look up a particular product and then look through the selection of member's photos that have been indexed to that lens.

The Nikkor 85mm f1.8 for example has nearly 6000 photos!

(mods LMK if this linking is 'pushing the boundaries')

[Dave]

If you need the zoom facility then one of the best would be the Nikon 70-200 VR f/2.8 .... but it is expensive. I had the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 at half the price, which was very good. Note though , that any zoom telephoto with f/2.8 will weigh a fair bit, so take that in to account.
TheNikon 70-300mm VR is not as optically good as the above, but still does a good job (see links below)

Some example shots here :-

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR Example / Sample Photos / Shots
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Example / Sample Photos / Shots
Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR example / sample photos / shots

[sachin.r.saraf]

Thanks M1ke, will check that out.

[sachin.r.saraf]

Thanks Dave, will check out those links.

[Dabhand16]

I have got the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 and I'm amazed how versatile it is. No VR, so not as big and heavy as the Nikkor, and around half of the price. Having said that, it is still bigger and heavier than a prime of around 80 to 105, which might be a better choice if you are going to do a lot of portraits.

[VikingPhotography]

Originally Posted by M1ke A

The Nikkor 85mm f1.8 for example has nearly 6000 photos!

The OP is using a D40x which lacks the screw drive mechanism that is necessary for non AF-S lenses to operate in Autofocus modes.

I would suggest instead the newly announced Sigma 50mm f/1.4 if on a budget or, for headshots from a longer distance if money isn't an issue, then you can't go wrong with the 70-200VR lens.

[Charlotte]

It's worth noting that of the lenses recommended here (nothing to add to those, really) the Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 VR and the Nikon 70-300mm VR lenses are both optimized for 35mm format, so that on your D40x the focal lengths will equate to 1.5x those stated. Not sure about the Sigma 70-200mm lens, but I suspect it is a DX lens, perhaps Graham or Dave will confirm this.

[Dabhand16]

Originally Posted by Charlotte

Not sure about the Sigma 70-200mm lens, but I suspect it is a DX lens, perhaps Graham or Dave will confirm this.

Yes it is. DG in the title '70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO MACRO HSM II' means digitally optimized. In case you had not noticed, it is a macro lens too.

[Charlotte]

It's "macro" but minimum focusing distance is 1m and its maximum magnification is 1:3.5. Not knocking it, but I'd say it's more for close-up work than for macro (which I personally think of as a 1:1 magnification). Anyway that's beside the point really, as Sachin is looking for a portraiture lens, not macro (although I'm sure he'd be pleased if that were an added bonus ) (Except I don't consider proper macro to be less than a 1:1 magnification.)

Also the weight of the Sigma is not that much lighter than the Nikkor 70-200mm 2.8 VR lens:
The Sigma weighs 1380g
Nikkor 70-200 VR weighs 1470g

It's worth noting that the Nikkor 70-300 VR weighs 745g - a very comfortable weight indeed

I seriously think it wins on the value for money score as well, if you're on a budget. At Warehouse Express (today):
£1148 for the Nikkor 70-200 2.8 VR
£600 for the Sigma 70-200 2.8 (no vr)
£320 for the Nikkor 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR

Anyway more food for thought for Sachin, hopefully

[sachin.r.saraf]

Thanks Charlotte, Dabhand16, VikingPhotography and everyone.

I'm leaning towards 70-200 Nikkor I guess, though Sigma is very tempting too at half the price.

I have some time before my next purchase, so will think a bit more before buying one.

Thanks again.

[kukuphoto]

The Nikkor 70-200VR is a fine piece of glass, my favorite lens. The best of the best. You get what you pay for.