Good portrait lenses?
I'm just starting out with my own photography business and I was to build my lens collection with some good lenses! I only have the kit lens that came with my Nikon D5100 and a 55mm lens! There's this one photographer who does excellent pictures and I would like to get your input on some lenses that would be good to help me get pictures like hers!
I'm not a Nikon user, but generally speaking, a nifty fifty is usually where people go. That is to say - a fast 50mm prime lens that opens to at least F2. Most brands have some real cheapies and good value. Having said that, I also like a fast 35mm prime for some portraiture.
A 50mm is a good choice - but you have to be careful, because they can sometimes distort peoples appearance. The best kind is an 85mm. Very ideal, I used it all the time! Otherwise 35mm isn't bad either. Rule of thumb, buy a lens with the lowest F stop possible. F1.2, 1.8, 2 etc.
As others have stated, a 50mm lens faster than f/2.8 is a good choice. Also, an 85mm f/1.8 is a great choice as well, but I'm not sure if Nikon has a choice that is affordable in that range. Get a 50mm f/1.8, they are cheap and great.