Best cheap Portrait Lens for Nikon D850

[Roland Vink]

I have not used the older AF 85/1.8 D but from comments I have read, the background bokeh wasn't so smooth unless you get relatively close to the subject with a distant background. It also flares when shooting into light and shows purple fringing in some situations (correct me if I am wrong). It is a "screw-drive" AF lens so focusing is noisier than the AF-S version and no instant manual over-ride. I think in most respects, the AF-S version is a better option. I am sure a good used example could be found on auction sites without too much difficulty.

Of the manual 105mm micros, the 105/4 has what I would describe as "neutral" bokeh. It is not smooth like the AI 105/2.5 but it's not terrible either. With a maximum aperture of only f/4 the ability for shallow DoF effects are limited. On the other hand mechanical vignetting is very low so background blurs remain nicely rounded well out to the edges of the frame (no swirly bokeh). I have taken some good portraits with this lens.

The AIS 105/2.8 micro is also not as smooth as the 105/2.5, but I have been surprised how good it is - it is sharp and backgrounds are quite nice. The main disadvantage is the short focus throw at non-macro distances (but much better than the AF version), and the straight-edge aperture blades cause background blurs to be distinctly polygonal rather than slightly rounded as with the AI 105/2.5.

[simsurace]

Regarding the 105 micro AF D (I cannot speak to the other micro lenses in this focal length) I agree with the others that the bokeh could be described as more defined/accentuated than dedicated portrait lenses but depending on the background the results can be pleasing. I find it very usable especially for child portraits. But of course these issues are highly subjective.

What a micro lens gets you is versatility and the ability to get close. maybe a person has got interesting hands or other features/jewelry that you want to capture and a macro lens allows you to do that virtually without constraints of MFD. I‘m suggesting it as an alternative based on the budget restrictions because it would maybe cover two different use cases. If you prefer a specialist portait lens or have macro already covered this obviously doesn‘t apply.

[Erik Lund]

Out of stock; AND the shop adress is in Honkong (exclusive of VAT and customs duty) 

They ship within EU so no extra vat or customs duty. I have bought several lenses there
I'm not here to peursade you but nailing the 105 2.5 is very difficult imho at full opening.
Good luck 

[Frank Fremerey]

let me speak for Autofocus too. I have bought the D500 and the D850 both on release day and shot them extensively since then. Why do I mention both? because they have the same pixel density and both are very unforgiving when it comes to slightly defocussed shots.

The 1.8/85D is a great lens. I bought it new with my used F4s in 1996 and shots mountains of portraits and other pictures.

Why did I exchange this lens against the 1.8/85G as soon as I had tested the new lens? Transitions and rendering. The G is very smooth, the 1.4G even smoother but much too heavy for daily use.

Compared to the 1.8D the 1.8G is bigger but lighter. It balances perfectly with a D3 or gripped D500 or D850. On many occasions I leave my front heavy 1.4/105E at home and take the 1.8/85G. It is just a tiny bit less perfect but it is beautiful to carry and handle.

I paid 450€ for the lens when it came out. 330€ is dirt cheap for this heavily underrated lens.

[Frank Fremerey]

another thing. look at how skin is rendered under different light conditions. go to flickr and search for "Nikkor". Enter the group that shows pictures taken with the lens you desire.

now take a close look at skin rendering, human eyes and brains are very sensitive when it comes to skin

compare the 2.8/60D with the 2.8/60G and think about this statement: "The D is useless when it comes to portraits of women above 25"

do the same with 1.8/85D and G and you will see that also here, it is better to use the G for women ... much finer, smoother skin rendering here...

[John Geerts]

I don't think the lens is cheap any more, but the 85mm f/1.8 K-version or HC  is a great portrait lens.  Another option is the 105mm f/2.5 Sonnar-version.

[Fons Baerken]

Cheap portrait lenses? There are none, there are cheap lenses you can use for portraiture. All mf lenses like the ais lenses are very difficult to nail focus, to shoot wide open portrets the model will need to be at complete standstill.
For portrets i think of 85mm f/1.4 D or G, 105mm f/2DC or 1.4E, 135mm f/2DC and going longer, lenses like 180/2.8, 200/2, 300/ etc

Remind you that the famous Steve McCurry portrait of the Afghan girl was shot with a filmcamera, Nikon FM2.

My two eurocents

https://cameraville.co/blog/afghan-girl-the-nikon-fm2

[f4-fan]

They ship within EU so no extra vat or customs duty. I have bought several lenses there
I'm not here to peursade you but nailing the 105 2.5 is very difficult imho at full opening.
Good luck 

That`s it: For me the price is not really good, because no VAT (I can deduct the VAT !) When I ADD the normal VAT, its just the price of a good shop in Germany or the netherlands

[Erik Lund]

OK, then get AF-D or AF-S 85mm f/1.8 

[f4-fan]

another thing. look at how skin is rendered under different light conditions. go to flickr and search for "Nikkor". Enter the group that shows pictures taken with the lens you desire.
now take a close look at skin rendering, human eyes and brains are very sensitive when it comes to skin

Good Idea

https://www.flickr.com/groups/nikon_portrait_photography/pool/

[f4-fan]

Last question:

Has anyone experiences with the 3


- Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Aspherique IF Nikon
- Samyang 85mm T1.5 VDSLR AS IF UMC II
- Zenitar-1N MC 85mm f1.4

[golunvolo]

I will narrow it down to 105 2.5 ai and 85 1.8g. They are both excellent, cheap and easy to find. You can start shooting. It is true that focusing the 105 is not easy but not that difficult either (with the new mirrorless and evf magnification is a breeze )
  The first image in this article was shot with a d850 and the 105 2.5 ai and I´m know for my lack of skill with manual lenses:
     http://callereal.8directo.com/2019/08/11/cuco-de-frutos-retrata-la-vida-del-agua-en-su-ultimo-trabajo-the-shape-of-water/


  Even thou I don´t use it often, some of my most precious portraits have been shot with this lens.

[simsurace]

Just a few quick samples on the Z6 for overall rendering. I'm actually surprised how close they are on this subject (not the most challenging, obviously).

105/2.5 P.C. wide open


105/2.8 AF D wide open


105/1.4 E at f/2.5


105/1.4 E at f/1.4

[Roland Vink]

Last question:

Has anyone experiences with the 3

- Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Aspherique IF Nikon
- Samyang 85mm T1.5 VDSLR AS IF UMC II
- Zenitar-1N MC 85mm f1.4

No experience with any of them. The Samyang T1.5 is probably the same as the Samyang f/1.4 but measured in T-stops instead of F-stops, with the barrel designed for video. All are manual focus, and with the fast aperture the DoF will be very narrow, very difficult to nail focus unless the subject is static.

Unless you really need the extra speed, I think the AFS 85/1.8 is a better option - AF will give you a far high percentage of keepers.

The D850 works well with manual lenses for landscapes, product shots and other subjects which stay still, not so practical for moving subjects unless you are willing to accept a lot of mis-focused shots.

[Erik Lund]

No experience with any of them. The Samyang T1.5 is probably the same as the Samyang f/1.4 but measured in T-stops instead of F-stops, with the barrel designed for video. All are manual focus, and with the fast aperture the DoF will be very narrow, very difficult to nail focus unless the subject is static.

Unless you really need the extra speed, I think the AFS 85/1.8 is a better option - AF will give you a far high percentage of keepers.

The D850 works well with manual lenses for landscapes, product shots and other subjects which stay still, not so practical for moving subjects unless you are willing to accept a lot of mis-focused shots.

yes, to same here for all points