Nikon SLR Cameras

I need a better Portrait Lens for NIKON D3100?

Nicole W
Nicole W

I bought the nikkor 35mm 1.8 AF-S lens a few months ago for my d3100 because I do a lot of portrait work and it is the most highly recommended for the d3100. However, the depth of field is still not as shallow and creamy as I would love to see in my portraits.
I'm looking for a lens that will achieve beautiful bokeh for under about $800.

Have been considering either of the Nikkor AF-S models 50mm 1.4 or 85mm 1.8
I have also read about Rokinon's 85mm 1.4 which sounds like a nice cheaper option but it would not have auto focusing on my 3100 and I don't know how hard manual focusing would be for me since i've never done that.

Anyone have any ideas, suggestions or opinions on where to go from here and or what to purchase?
I mostly do outdoor shoots of models, couples or children.

Alias
Alias

You have a dslr and you never manual focus… Do you even know how to use the camera?

EDWIN
EDWIN

On your D3100 the AF-S 50mm f1.4G is the preferred lens for portraits. On a 35mm film camera or full-frame DSLR (D600, D800, D4) a focal length of between 85mm to 105mm is considered an ideal focal length for portraits. The 50mm on your D3100 will have the equivalent angle of view of a 75mm lens on a 35mm film camera or full-frame DSLR thus making it a good choice for portraits.

AWBoater
AWBoater

A longer focal length always gives better background blur.

Some professionals have even gone to a 70-200mm f/2.8 for portraiture (which would be out of your price range). But this at least shows that you should not be afraid to use longer focal lengths for portraits.

Unfortunately, I think the Rokinon 85mm lens is junk.

Here is a video that makes the case that the 50mm lens is not a good portraiture lens:

But if you want creamy backgrounds, this webpage shows how different lenses produce bokeh:

http://www.althephoto.com/concepts/bokeh.php

Sad Sack
Sad Sack

85mm would be a better focal length for portraits than 50mm. Get the Nikkor. Having a wide aperture on the cheap, for one thing the image quality at that wide aperture is likely to be inferior. Also, despite the gushing by some about the joys of manual focus, the autofocus is more likely to get it right, and at wide aperture the shallow depth of field will make focusing errors more unforgiving. You should also use a tripod. The faster speed that comes with the wide aperture can decrease camera shake but it will not eliminate it. Also, with such shallow depth of field, any fore and aft swaying is going to move you out of the intended focus.

deep blue2
deep blue2

The 35mm you are using is a little too wide for portraits. Despite the crop factor (which expresses the field of view) it still has the slight distortion of a wide angle.

You are better off with the 50mm or the 85mm lengths. Get the f1.4 if you can afford it.

Manual focusing takes a bit of getting used to. You want to be using single point focus in any case. The camera can still act as a rangefinder with a manual focus lens attached - the green dot will flash when focus is approaching & remain still when focus is achieved.

keerok
keerok

I recommend the Nikkor AF-S models 50mm f/1.4 but with very near close-ups at very shallow DOF, you wouldn't want to use autofocus. Most of the time, it will be wrong. This makes the Rokinon enticing isn't it? It depends. IF you want a lot of space between you and your model, 85mm gives you a lot of breathing space. I prefer the 50mm for more intimacy. If you want better, look at the 50mm f/1.2 AIS and to hell if you don't work with a lightmeter. What's better than that? Zeiss 50mm F/1.4 Planar.