Ray Heath
(K=4559) - Comment Date 10/8/2004
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hi Robin, you need to be more specific, it's not as simple as just getting a 'fashion-esque' lens
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Robin Annette
(K=-105) - Comment Date 10/8/2004
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Hi Ray,
I'm not exactly sure what I should be asking. I'd like to try shooting full body shots in a small space in the style of fashion photography, but do not feel qualified enough to say fashion photography. Is there something I should be asking specifically?
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Chris White
(K=32) - Comment Date 10/8/2004
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What lens/lenses do you already own? And what is it about the camera/lens that you own at the moment do you not like?
- Chris
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Robin Annette
(K=-105) - Comment Date 10/8/2004
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Hi Chris,
I bought Nikon's 28-80mm lens when I purchased the camera. Maybe this lens is suitable for my purposes, but I really don't know. (which is why i'm asking) Anyway, I learned to shoot on an old Nikkormat (without a light meter), and became very attached to it. Unfortunately, a friend broke the shutter release. At times, the manual camera was less than ideal at capturing 'the moment'. But I purchased the N65 because it could do both. Honestly, I feel that the automatic features are backwards and am not familiar enough with them. And I don't like automatic because I don't feel like I'm doing much of anything nor do I have many decisions to make. I used to sculpt and process is key for me. I haven't shot anything in a long time and am trying something new because I have been modeling all summer after a considerable break from it. I have an art degree and know that end of it, but am very much lacking on the technical photography end. Any comments on my portfolio on this site are also welcome. Thank you for responding to my question.
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Chris White
(K=32) - Comment Date 10/8/2004
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I would personaly say that your lens would be more than capable of handeling the situation you mentioned. And a zoom is probably more usefull to you in the regards to being able to follow the model without having to move or change lens. However the faster speed of a fixed lens is probably something to think about.
I am FAR from being an expert so these are probably not the best informed comments but I hope they help a little.
As for the manual exposure thing I think I know what you mean. I own a Canon EOS 33V (Elan 7 in America I think) which is a beautiful camera and I love it to peices, but I sometimes wish I'd bought a manual focus camera instead and am looking at doing so.
- Chris
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Robin Annette
(K=-105) - Comment Date 10/8/2004
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Thanks for the advice, Chris. It just seems silly to me, this little camera, when generally the photogs I work with have mammoth digital cameras with huge lenses. Maybe it's just a kind of penis, camera envy. I mean that it the best, cleanest way possible.
Thanks again.
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Anthony Gargani
(K=4527) - Comment Date 10/8/2004
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Hi Annette,
I thought I would add my thoughts to the advice already given.
I don't own the Nikon N65, but I am almost sure that it can be set to full manual control. The only thing I'm not sure of is how well it would work for manual focusing. Manual focusing is really dependent on the brightness of the view finder and whether or not it uses any type of focusing screen or not (which I don't think it does). But I wouldn't let that get me down-just use the auto focus along with manual control over other functions. Also, if you truly want to go manual all the way Nikon offers many cameras that will suit your need and wallet either new or used. I *think* many of the manual Nikon bodies will still accept some of the newer lenses, but you should get clarification on that from a Nikon user.
As to your question on lenses-as stated there should be nothing wrong with what you have to get started. You didn't say what the aperture range of the lens was but it is important as far as the lighting conditions you can use it under.
If you really need or want to purchase a lens I would look into a prime lens in the range between 50mm and 135mm with apertures f/2.8 or PREFERABLY faster (f/2.0, f/1.8, f/1.4). In looking into primes for portraits it seems that these focal lenghts are recommend for full body (50mm), head and shoulders (85mm), and head shots (100mm-135mm). This is NOT a hard and fast rule, just a basic guide to think about.
I recently purchased an 85mm f/1.8 lens (Canon) and really like it a lot. I imagine that the Nikon primes offer the same type of quality in their prime offerings as well. Primes *generally* offer superior quality at faster apertures than zooms so you may want to consider looking into going with a good prime for your current needs.
The best advice is to go to a camera store with your N65 and try various lenses to see which one fits best if possible.
I'm sure someone with a Nikon background can assist you further and will be by shortly lol...
Take care,
Anthony
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José Azevedo
(K=9845) - Comment Date 10/8/2004
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Hi Robin,
I believe you want defocused backgrounds and sharp full body or faces. My suggestions are (Nikkors, manual focus):
- 85mm 1.8
- 105mm 1.8 (I own one, there are samples here at Usefilm - search for this lens using the "Equipment Search" feature)
- 180mm 2.8 ED
I've got the 105 and 180 and love them. Both were bought used at very reasonable prices. Try going to a store where they sell them used, put them into your camera and shoot a roll of film then go with the one the angle fits your vision more.
Regards,
Jose Azevedo
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Kevin H
(K=22502) - Comment Date 10/8/2004
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I have a Nikon N65b and you can use it in a manual setting and you also can use manual focus (i only use that). Don't forget, when buying a lens, make sure that it's compatible as some lens are only made for manual cameras.
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Brendon Cordero
(K=3524) - Comment Date 10/10/2004
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Robin,
Most photographers do away or trade in the lens that comes with the camera, such as yours. This lens is considered a kit lens or a comsumer lens. It's a market ploy for eager buyers. Unfortunately, these lenses are somewhat poor quality.
There is an old saying from old photographers. Buy a good glass (lens) first, with a cheap camera body. Trade that lens for a good one, either a zoom or a prime.
For most fashion applications, a 50mm-105mm range is suitable. Consider your aperture settings. Small aperture openings, photos are sharp with a depth of background. A large aperture openings, photos are soft with less depth of background. It depends on the lens you are using and your lighting.
Also, auto-focus has its limitations. There are some situation you will have manaul focus such as low light. With auto everything cameras, you should know their limitations. They don't do everything right. Most of us still use manual settings, either exposure or focus.
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Scott McFadden
(K=5663) - Comment Date 10/10/2004
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Hi I also bought an identicle camera with very much the same lens.
The problem is the lens not the camera.
If you turn your camera to manual mode you will be able to get the lenses used on the nikkormat (of which i also first bought coincedently)
Aperture Priority is a better mode then manual due to time constraints in reality.
Nikons 2.8 is absoluty brilliant but priced so expensive its out of budget.
Comparable lenses in 2.8 can be good and bad.
A cheap alternative if you want to keep automatic functions purchase of a 90mm macro lens or a 50 1.8 for cheaper cost.
Some manual lenses made by nikon still have no equal such as the 58 mm noct (And the cheaper 105 2.5 portrait lens for its ability to hold in highlights)Speciality lenses are nikons strength.
MTFs ect are never the only thing to judge a lens by.
Despite that manual mode can be difficult especially if the subjects moving and changing light conditions affect the subject.
Lenses most not all are better used one stop from their extremes.
I tend to enjoy f8 for portraits 1/3rd the time.
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Robin Annette
(K=-105) - Comment Date 10/14/2004
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Thank you all for your advice. I have to take notes for later. I have decided (as winter is coming) (and i'm in ny) to invest in lights. Stay tuned for whatever the outcome. The new lens should be next in line. Thanks again.
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Jeroen Wenting
(K=25317) - Comment Date 10/15/2004
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The F65/N65 will only work properly with AF-D (which means also AF-G and AF-S) lenses, Ai and Ais lenses won't work unless they're retrofitted with a D-chip.
Your lightmeter will not function correctly without this chip in your lens.
There are of course modern equivalents to the Ai lenses mentioned.
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Geoff Simmons
(K=264) - Comment Date 10/15/2004
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I have the N65 and the standard Nikkor 28-80 that usually comes with (it's my only camera and lense, actually).
The N65 is not a good camera. It has somewhat awkward controls (only one wheel for exposure settings, and I am sure you understand the frustration with that most N65 users express...) It also has no spot meter option (only matrix and centerweight)... which absolutely sucks when you need to get super precise metering.
However, the lense that comes with it seems fairly decent to me (for a starter lense). It's autofocus is fast and accurate. It can focus close enough to the lense to get some decent macro shots (See "Last Summer Masterpiece" in my portfolio). The 28mm focal length also seems pretty wide for it's class.
I think that if you are going to be doing fashion photoraphy, the N65 isn't going to be fast enough (in manual) to be able to catch the model when you want to. However, if you are going to stick with the N65, the Nikkor AF Zoon 28-80mm lense should work fine as far as it's focal length... but it's minimum aperture (f/3.8 I think?) may cause you some grief...
Just my two cents though... I don't know as much as most of the people here... I just happen to own the same camera/lense
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John Erin
(K=460) - Comment Date 10/17/2004
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It seems that most fashion photographer's avoid using any sort of wide angle lens. So something in the category of a medium telephoto might be a decent starting point for ya. Let's say 85-135mm. Then again I'm all for the wide(wild)angle lenses. In which case I'm thinking along the lines of 20-24mm.
ps:what on earth is 'fashion-esque' supposed to mean
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Richard Dakin
(K=12915) - Comment Date 10/17/2004
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Hi Robin, I can sympathize with your problem ...
so many choices and opinions. To add to your confusion here is my 2 cents worth.
I own 2 Nikon F-80 bodies and 3 low priced lenses, 28-80G, 70-300G, and a 50mm 1.8D. I have found all 3 lenses very useful, but there is no way they can compete with specialized and higher priced lenses in the Nikon line. You get what you pay for I guess.
As someone else said, maybe your problem is with the camera not the lens. The F-80 has many useful features, and really lacks only the robustness of pro cameras like the F-100. The
F-80 body is only $400 in Canada (new) so I am sure you can pick up a used one in the USA for much less. That way you can make better use of the lens you have, and spend the bulk of your money on lights. If it fits your budget I would also go for a Nikon 80-200 zoom to cover close-ups. You CAN do pretty much anything with a 50mm, you just have to move around more.
There is a book "Classic Glamour Photography" from Georgetown press you might want to check out. It is mainly aimed at fine art nude photography, but it's really the same as "fashionesque" minus the clothes. There is a lot of info on equipment.
Anyway I hope I haven't clouded your vision any more than it already was. I am going through the same dilema with lights right now.
Just another thought ..... try putting David Bailey into your search engine. There might be some technical articles written on or by him somewhere. If you are familiar with his work you'll realize it's not a bad place to start.
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Jeroen Wenting
(K=25317) - Comment Date 10/18/2004
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"It seems that most fashion photographer's avoid using any sort of wide angle lens. "
They do because of the distortion it causes in facial features, especially noses :)
And of course because a lot of fashion photography is highly commercial and the market at this point wants a certain style of image which is best obtained using a short to medium tele lens.
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Tom Ziegler
(K=585) - Comment Date 12/28/2004
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Hello Robin,
If you can, upgrade to nikon f-100 with 80/200mm f/2.8 af Nikkor lens.
Your in NYC so "go to B&H", like they say in the commercial(lol) It will set you back about 2 grand. I have learned that buying quality is the way to go.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas
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