Which camera and lens took this first photo? Here are the choices
- Nikon D4, Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AF-D [Lens $969]
- Nikon D4, Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM [Lens $1249]
- Nikon D4, Sigma 120-300 mm f/2.8 DG EX APO IF HSM [Lens $2500]
- Nikon D4, Sigma 120-300 mm f/2.8 DG EX APO IF HSM, with Sigma 1.4 converter [converter $249]
- Nikon D4, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR [Lens $897]
- Fujifilm X-E2, FUJINON XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS [Lens $699]
- Fujifilm X-E2, FUJINON XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS Zoom [Lens $694]
It might surprise you. For this exercise I shot each lens wide open and at the longest focal length and the closest distance that the lens would focus. Now there is a slight focus issue due to my skills of placing the tripod and subject, but you can see for yourself and pick the photo that matches the above photo.
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| Nikon D4, Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AF-D |
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| Nikon D4, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR |
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| Nikon D4, Sigma 120-300 mm f/2.8 DG EX APO IF HSM |
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| Nikon D4, Sigma 120-300 mm f/2.8 DG EX APO IF HSM, with Sigma 1.4 converter |
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| Nikon D4, Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM |
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| Fujifilm X-E2, FUJINON XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS Zoom Lens |
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| Fujifilm X-E2, FUJINON XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS Lens |
If you had a hard time figuring out the top photo it is the Fujifilm X-E2 with the FUJINON XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS Lens.
When I photograph people for portraits I love the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 AF-D. While I can get closer with many other lenses as you can see above, any closer with the 85mm you are too close.
I hope this exercise also points out that using a longer lens can give great "BOKEH" if you back up a little and zoom in all the way.
The one lens that really wasn't all that great was the FUJINON XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS Zoom because zoomed all the way in at 55mm the ƒ/4 is just too much depth of field. I think if I had the Fujinon XF 55mm ƒ/1.2 then I would see something similar to the 85mm ƒ/1.4.
The lesson I hope is that you might try some longer lenses for portraits to get some smooth silky "Bokeh".
