Why You Need a 85mm Lens DSLR Tutorial

TL;DR

The 85mm f/1.8 lens from Nikon is the ideal portrait lens due to its focal length, ability to isolate subjects, lack of distortion, and low-light capabilities.

Transcript

• Hey everybody. This is Roberto Blake of robertoblake.com helping you create something awesome today. So today we're gonna talk about the 85mm f/1.8 lens from Nikon. And why I think an 85mm might be the perfect portrait lens. So I rented this lens for a couple of days from our friends at Lumoid. They're not sponsoring this video, but I did rent th... Read More

Key Insights

• 🖤 The 85mm f/1.8 lens from Nikon is an excellent choice for portrait photography due to its ability to isolate subjects and lack of distortion.
• 🙂 Indie filmmakers and cinematographers can benefit from the lens's tight-in shots and low-light capabilities.
• ❓ The lens is versatile, suitable for both indoor and outdoor photography, such as events and street photography.
• 😘 The lower cost of the 85mm f/1.8 lens makes it an attractive option for those considering a portrait lens.
• 👻 While the 85mm lens lacks zoom capabilities, its lightweight design allows for easy maneuverability, making it ideal for photographers on the go.
• 😥 Canon offers similar lenses with wider apertures, but the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 lens provides comparable sharpness at a more affordable price point.
• 🙂 The build quality of Nikon's more expensive f/1.4 lens is slightly superior, but the f/1.8 version is still highly recommended.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the advantages of the 85mm f/1.8 lens for portrait photography?

The 85mm f/1.8 lens offers a focal length that reduces distortion and allows for creative cropping. It also effectively isolates subjects from the background, making faces look more attractive.

Q: How does the 85mm lens perform in low-light situations?

The lens has an aperture of f/1.8, which makes it ideal for low-light shooting. It can handle indoor shooting and provides excellent performance in scenarios like conventions or events in auditoriums.

Q: Can the 85mm lens be used for street photography?

Yes, the 85mm lens is also great for capturing candid street shots. Its focal length allows photographers to get closer to their subjects without intimidating them.

Q: Are there other options with similar characteristics to the Nikon 85mm lens?

Yes, Canon offers their version of the 85mm lens with different aperture options, such as f/1.2 and f/1.4. However, the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 lens is equally sharp and more affordable.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The 85mm f/1.8 lens from Nikon is a great option for portraiture, providing less distortion and the ability to creatively crop and isolate subjects.

• It is also suitable for indie filmmakers and cinematographers who need tight-in shots and low-light capabilities.

• The lens works well for both indoor and outdoor photography, including street photography and events like New York Fashion Week.