Camera Labs

How many professional wedding/portrait photographers carry and 50mm f1.4 or f1.8 in their bag? Is this a good lens to invest in?

I have no idea about weddings,but consider a F/1.4. Usually F/1.8 lenses,the very cheap ones,don't offer a very pleasing bokeh compared to their more expensive cousins.

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Gear: Nikon D80, 18-105mm, 35mm F/1.8, 85mm F/1.8, SB-600
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I am considering a Nikon 50mm f1.4 D for my D80 That is not a "cheap" lens, is it? I have played with it and really like it but the 50mm on a cropped sensor is kind of restricting. I was thinking about the 35mm f1.8 that was just released.

How is the bokeh unpleasing in the cheaper lenses? Are you talking about the circles in the background?

yes,I believe it's because the different style of aperture blades.
the 50mm f/1.4 has very small distorsions,unlike the 35mm. you might consider a fast wide lens,like the Tokina 11-16mm F/2.8,especially for group shots. It has amazing optics & built for a resonable price.

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Gear: Nikon D80, 18-105mm, 35mm F/1.8, 85mm F/1.8, SB-600
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I dont know about wedding and pro stuff
but for me personally. I always carry my Noct-nikkor 58 f/1.2 in my bag. and at night i add my 35mm f/1.4
basically it all base on your need here.

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Nikon D2h | Noct-Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 | Nikkor 35mm f/1.4| Nikon 85mm f1.4 |SB-600 SB-28 SB-28
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All professional photographer's that have a good collection of gear carry a 50mm f/1.4. And since many also carry an 85mm for portraits, a 50mm on an APS-C/DX body makes sense (75mm in that case).

You should get the f/1.4 version though, even better in low light and as said before, better bokeh and sharpness as well.

A 50mm is high on my own wishlist, but I want to get a high quality standard zoom first, so decided I'd start saving for the Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 SSM.

- Bjorn -

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