Getting a camera for modeling-question about lenses for the Nikon D80?

Question

-Dont ask me why i am getting a camera if i want to model, i like photography and taking pictures of myself, okay? =] Plus its good practice!-

Okay, i have decided to get the Nikon D80, but I still have some questions about the lenses really quick.

Okay so the 50mm f/1.4D is more expensive than the 50mm f/1.8D, is it worth the extra money? =]

I basically want you to compare these lenses to me, and tell me whats better or worse about them =D

Thanks in advance ;]

Answer 1

If you want good lenses for modeling, then the 85mm f/1.4 or the 70-200mm VR f/2.8 lenses are the best options for you, but both are very expensive.

Less expensive but a great performer would be the 85mm f/1.8 lens.

Finally, you come to the 50mm f/1.8 and f/1.4 lenses.  The only real difference here is the maximum aperture.  By f/4, the lenses are pretty much identical.  Unless you do a large amount of low-light shooting, there's little advantage to the f/1.4.  The "bokeh" or out of focus highlights on the f/1.4 are not as good as on an 85mm lens because bokeh is a function of the focal length as well as maximum aperture.  The f/1.4 is worth the extra money for low-light shooting, but it's hard to justify the extra cost given the low cost of the 1.8 and the other alternatives.

Thus, the f/1.8 50mm is an absolutely great, stupendous value.  It's a sharp lens and by f/4, it's indistinguishable from the f/1.4 lens.  

For modeling shots on a budget, I'd say to go with the 85mm f/1.8 and then the 50mm f/1.8 if that's too much.

With an unlimited budget, I'd get the 85mm f/1.4 lens.

Answer 2

well the 50mm on the d80 is going to be a 75mm and the 1.4 is faster then the 1.8. The 1.4 has a wider aperture and will be better in low light situations.

35mm lenes will AF and meter on a Nikon DLSR but since the sensor is not full frame you have to apply the Nikon 1.5 crop factor.