Post 57: Nikon 50mm f/1.8G Review

This is my favorite and most used lens. The 50mm 1.8G is basically just an expensive lens cap for my camera. It's on my D7000 at least 75% of the time. I originally had the D version of this lens, but I had my camera sitting on the desk and our cat, Noodle, knocked my camera off the desk and the lens ended up breaking. For my birthday, Devan bought me the G version to replace it. I couldn't be happier about Noodle breaking the D version.

This lens works well for most situations. It has about the same angle of view as a 75mm lens on my D7000, making it acceptable for shoulder-up portraits. This lens would probably be considered to have too much zoom for street photography, but I would still use it for that. I wouldn't use this lens at f/1.8 in a professional setting, but by f/4, this lens is great. I would probably even use this lens at f/2.8 if I were working for a client.

This lens is an amazing value. The 50mm f/1.8G costs a little over $200 brand new. And, the 1.8G version has an aspherical element, while the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G, which would probably be considered more of a "professional" lens, does not. At that price, and the quality of photos this lens can produce, there is no reason this lens shouldn't be in every Nikon shooter's bag.

Post 56: Nikon 105mm f/2.5 AIs review

When I was first considering getting the Nikon 105mm f/2.5 AIs, the first thing that caught my attention was how many people were claiming this was one of Nikon's best lenses ever made. This information in addition to the price, which I think was less than $150 used, persuaded me to order the lens.

I haven't used the lens a whole lot, mostly because it's a manual focus lens. I could turn the focus ring all day, though. If you haven't owned a manual focus lens, you probably don't know what I'm talking about. If you have, then you know exactly what I'm talking about, and can relate. The amount of resistance the focus ring has is perfect, and feels right. This lens is also mostly, if not all, metal, which makes it feel solid. It's pretty small relative to current lenses for it's focal length. It's probably about the size of an 18-55mm, and 10 times the weight. 

As I said before, I don't use this lens all that much. I'm hoping to change that, though. My biggest concern is missing focus with this lens. I remember I used it to take headshots once, and there were three or four photos that I would have loved to use, but they were too out of focus. I ended up having to use a photo that wasn't necessarily my first choice. One thing that could help avoid missing focus is stopping the lens down to gain a little more depth of field. Obviously, this isn't an option if you're shooting and want to blow the background out, which this lens does beautifully.

This lens annihilates distracting backgrounds with creamy, buttery, bokeh. Sometimes older lenses don't have nice smooth, desirable bokeh. This isn't one of those times. 

I can't tell how sharp this lens is wide open, because I can't tell if the photos are soft, or out of focus because of me. I was able to produce some acceptable photos wide-open at f/2.5, though, which doesn't always happen with lenses. Stopped down, this lens is tack-sharp, but then you miss out on that delicious bokeh that I'm apparently obsessed with. 

Something else I found surprising with this lens is the lack of chromatic aberration. I haven't shot outside with this lens yet, so that might make a difference.

If I lost this lens, I would probably buy it again. As far as I can tell, this lens produces great photos wide open with pleasing bokeh, little chromatic aberration, and for little money. These lenses can be had for almost nothing, and I would absolutely consider them a steal. If you don't own a lens close to this focal length, you would be doing yourself a favor by picking one of these classic lenses up.

Photos were all shot at f/2.5.

Edit: One of the benefits of being a Nikon shooter is to have access to these old lenses. There are a number of older lenses out there that are "dated" because of new technology that still perform quite well. Since these lenses are older though, they can often be bought for next to nothing. Canon shooters aren't quite as lucky. I was just reading something, and apparently because Nikon has used the F-mount system since 1959, that gives us Nikon shooters over 400 options for lenses.

Another thing I was just reading was "National Geographic's" "Afghan Girl" was taken using a Nikon 105mm f/2.5. For those of you who don't know, that photo is a pretty well known cover photo from the 80s.

Edit, Round Two: That's 400 different Nikkor lenses. So that doesn't include all of the third-party glass, like Tamron, Sigma, and Tokina.

Post 55: What's in my bag (at the moment, anyway)

Every photographer always wants to know what's in the other guy's (or girl's) bag. I've been thinking about doing a post like this for a while, but I've been a little hesitant. I don't use the most expensive or newest gear, which some people think is responsible for the photo, and not the skill of the operator.

I'm going to do a general post of what's in my bag, and then do a more in depth post for each piece later on (that's the plan, anyway).

So, what's in my bag (or what am I able to put in my bag, depending on how I'm feeling)...

Nikon D3100. This isn't my main body. It's actually Devan's now, but it's available as a backup body if I ever needed it.

Nikon D7000. My baby. This body definitely has some issues, but it gets the job done. I'll definitely take it over the D70 I was using for a brief moment.

Nikkor - N.C. 24mm f/2.8:

I bought this lens used to take landscapes before I went to Utah for Spring Break with my fiance and some friends. I think the lens is damaged, which either occurred before I purchased it, or during shipping. It's a manual focus lens, and every time I turn the focus ring, there's quite a bit of squeaking and resistance. Not the good kind of resistance that a manual focus lens usually provides, but the kind of resistance a lens would have if it had been dropped.

I don't use this lens too often. The only time I use it is if I have to get a wide-angle shot or for landscapes, which I don't do too often.

Nikon 35mm 1.8G:

This was the first lens I bought myself, and the first lens I got besides the 18-55 or 55-200. It used to be my main lens, and was on my camera 99% of the time. I don't use this lens as much anymore. My main lens is now the 50mm 1.8G

Nikon 50mm 1.8G:

I bought the Nikon 50mm 1.8D from a local camera store. I think I had that lens for a few weeks until Noodle knocked my camera off the desk and broke it. Devan bought me the 50mm 1.8G for my birthday though, which I'm definitely not complaining about. The G version of this lens is infinitely times better than the D version, and absolutely worth the extra money (which isn't that much for a lens). I use this lens for almost everything but sports now. If I could pick one lens to have, it would be this one.

Nikon 105mm 2.5 AIs:

I bought this lens used sometime last winter. I think I got it for less than $150. I bought it mostly for it's reputation as a legendary portrait lens. I haven't used it much, but from the photos I've taken, it looks like it lives up to that reputation. It's a manual focus lens, and I could turn the focus ring all day. If you haven't owned a manual focus lens before, do yourself a favor and buy at least one. They're dirt-cheap and lenses like this 105mm are an incredible bargain. Admittedly, the fact that this lens is manual focus is the reason I haven't used it much. I would hate to have my photos be out of focus due to user error.

Nikon 180mm 2.8:

I love this lens. The chromatic aberration is pretty horrendous at times, but I'll put up with it. I think I bought this lens for a jokingly low $350. This lens was a professional lens at one point, but due to advancements in technology, they're a bargain at this point (assuming your camera body has a focus motor).

Promaster flash:

I don't know what kind of model it is. I just know it has an optical slave trigger, which is all that matters to me. This is the flash I use in all of my portraits. The flash has power settings of full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8. 1/16, 1/32, and 1/64. This flash does everything I need it to, except say "Nikon." Speaking of which, this flash will most likely have a friend in the near future. Looking at a Nikon SB 600, 700, or 800.

Flash stand and Umbrellas:

I don't know the brand of these or the size of the umbrellas. They can't really fit in my bag either, but I figured I would include them since I use them for almost every portrait session.

That's what's in my bag, except for a bunch of 8 GB memory cards and my battery grips for both of my cameras.

Post 54: The Importance of a Good Headshot

For actors, a quality headshot is almost a necessity. To be honest, when I first decided I wanted to be a portrait photographer, I thought a lot of my business would come from actors who needed updated headshots. As my peers and I get older, though, I can't help but notice the importance of a quality headshot for anyone who wants to be seen as a professional.

I doubt I'm the only one who can immediately tell the difference between a good headshot and a bad headshot, especially when they're juxtaposed on social media sites such as LinkedIn. When I see a good headshot, I can't help but think that individual not only looks more professional, and like someone I can rely on, but also they have enough money, and care enough about their appearance, to hire a professional photographer to take a professional headshot. Conversely, when I see someone with a low-quality headshot, I think the exact opposite. 

Today, it isn't uncommon for potential employers to look for applicants on social media sites, meaning your profile picture is potentially the first impression you'll make on the interviewer. If I was looking for someone to network with or hire, I can guarantee I would be drawn toward someone who has a good, quality headshot, over someone who doesn't look like they care.