Best inexpensive Nikon lenses for portraits?
I have a Nikon d3100 and I'm getting into portrait photography, for example, engagement pictures. I'm looking to buy a new lens for this purpose, but being a poor college student, I need a fairly inexpensive one. Suggestions are appreciated!
The Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8 lens is the perfect lens for shooting portraits.
I assume that you have the necessary lighting and know how to use it when shooting portraits.
Hint:
* Key light
* Fill light
* Rim or hair light
* Background light
Definitely and absolutely, and without a shadow of a doubt, this lens:
Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens
The 50mm f1.8 would be ideal. It comes in 2 versions - AF (which will not autofocus on your camera, it would still work but you'd need to manually focus it, but it's cheaper) or the AF-S version (which will autofocus).
I use it (and the 85mm f1.8, which is also good for portraits but is pricier) for portrait work.