Decent lenses for 'car bokeh'?
Discussion
I'll admit it... I made a mistake. I sold a mint Nikon 80-200mm F2.8 that I rarely used.
I replaced it with a hefty chunk of Nikon 17-55 F2.8 which is fan-bloody-tastic and I use it loads.
The 80-200 was just far too long for 99% of my shots, so I flogged it.
It was only until after it was gone that I suddenly realised what the one small thing I used it for was... car photos with big background bokeh.
As some of you will know, it is actually very difficult to shoot a car and blow out the background with Bokeh. It's easy with a 50mm 1.8 or my 17-55 2.8 if I only want to concentrate closer shots of the car, or just a wheel etc, but nigh on impossible if you want the whole car and a bit of space around it in the frame.
I guess it's the combination of 100-200+mm of zoom and a lower F number?
So... without the expense of buying another 80-200, is there any other CHEAPER lenses that you can recommend that might work for me?
I replaced it with a hefty chunk of Nikon 17-55 F2.8 which is fan-bloody-tastic and I use it loads.
The 80-200 was just far too long for 99% of my shots, so I flogged it.
It was only until after it was gone that I suddenly realised what the one small thing I used it for was... car photos with big background bokeh.
As some of you will know, it is actually very difficult to shoot a car and blow out the background with Bokeh. It's easy with a 50mm 1.8 or my 17-55 2.8 if I only want to concentrate closer shots of the car, or just a wheel etc, but nigh on impossible if you want the whole car and a bit of space around it in the frame.
I guess it's the combination of 100-200+mm of zoom and a lower F number?
So... without the expense of buying another 80-200, is there any other CHEAPER lenses that you can recommend that might work for me?
Wider aperture, longer focal length and closer focal point all reduce dof.
So the longest, fastest lens you can afford?
A 35mm prime would be wider angle, but at f1.8 would give you some tighter dof:
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-nikon-35mm-f1-8...
85mm?
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-nikon-85mm-f1-8...
Guess it depends what sort of range you were using for the car shots with your 80-200?
So the longest, fastest lens you can afford?
A 35mm prime would be wider angle, but at f1.8 would give you some tighter dof:
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-nikon-35mm-f1-8...
85mm?
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-nikon-85mm-f1-8...
Guess it depends what sort of range you were using for the car shots with your 80-200?
flat-planedCrank said:
Guess it depends what sort of range you were using for the car shots with your 80-200?
Well I've just had a look at the EXIF of some of my shots and it looks like I mostly used it around the 100-150mm mark for the look I wanted at the time.This was 135mm at 2.8:
Are you thinking of staged shots or snap shots at shows etc? I ask because by far the cheapest way to blow the background is to move the car further away from it. If these shots are staged, give that some thought. Give some consideration to what your background actually is as well. The less distracting features the better unless you're specifically using the features to make your shot.
If it is for 'uncontrolled' shows etc, then a long lens might be tricky (but will do the trick). You may find you have to stand back to frame the car and end up with 10 people stood between you and the car who have no idea you're trying to take a photo of it. The 135mm f/2 dc is gorgeous but I could see the above scenario being an issue. Maybe consider an 85mm as an alternative, or persevere with your 50mm. A 85mm 1.4 Sigma can be had for less than £500 and is a stunning lens. The Nikon 85mm 1.8g is also worth a look.
If it is for 'uncontrolled' shows etc, then a long lens might be tricky (but will do the trick). You may find you have to stand back to frame the car and end up with 10 people stood between you and the car who have no idea you're trying to take a photo of it. The 135mm f/2 dc is gorgeous but I could see the above scenario being an issue. Maybe consider an 85mm as an alternative, or persevere with your 50mm. A 85mm 1.4 Sigma can be had for less than £500 and is a stunning lens. The Nikon 85mm 1.8g is also worth a look.
Digitalize said:
They're all long focal lengths, you can tell because none of the cars look 'long.
First one is probably f2.8, other two are f4.
Stage it in an area with a lot of space behind and drop the perspective down to the ground.
First one is 135mm at f/2 and second is 85mm at f/1.8. Both on full frame. First one is probably f2.8, other two are f4.
Stage it in an area with a lot of space behind and drop the perspective down to the ground.
No exif data on the third.
GetCarter said:
NinjaPower said:
What do we make of those?
People should stop lowering cars and putting crap wheels on.
I'm not commenting either way on the cars... But I really do enjoy the photography on StanceWorks. Each car or article is usually accompanied by excellent photographs.
K12beano said:
And: 90 seconds in Photolightshoproom to selectively adjust "clarity" and add a vignette - you could use any old cheap tele, since you only need the centre to be sharp and you don't even need constant light across the image 
Well I guess I could use my 18-200mm lens at 150-200mm or something, then apply a light 'Gaussian Blur' tool on the background area of my photos when I need this more blurred background look, but at the risk of sounding like the dreaded Ken Rockwell, I "like to get it right in the camera" as much as possible before tinkering in photoshop Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff