Would this be too much of a lens for family portraits? I also do individual portraits like children and seniors. I want to upgrade my NikonD5000 also.
1784422
I use this lens for family portraits all the time. Just one remark, my previous lens was a cheaper zoom lens that had smaller f stop for bigger focal lengths so I always had enough depth for closed up photos. With this lens I need to pay attention that all subjects are in focus when the camera sets automatically f/2.8 in low light conditions
1784423
The 24-70 is great for family portraits on the wider end. For individual portraits, and this may sound counter-intuitive, a 70-200 is better for the bokeh and getting in tight on your subject, but that's if you're shooting full frame. If you're using it on a DX body like the D5000, I think the range is ideal. As for the lens, it is an incredibly high image quality optic that can potentially stay with you forever as you upgrade from camera to camera. Good lenses are an investment. Mediocre lenses get replaced as your skills improve, pretty much like dslr bodies. I bought this to replace a Nikon 28-105, which I've happily retired. So, in short, buy this great lens if you plan to stay with Nikon bodies. The 24-70 is great for family portraits on the wider end. For individual portraits, and this may sound counter-intuitive, a 70-200 is better for the bokeh and getting in tight on your subject, but that's if you're shooting full frame. If you're using it on a DX body like the D5000, I think the range is ideal. As for the lens, it is an incredibly high image quality optic that can potentially stay with you forever as you upgrade from camera to camera. Good lenses are an investment. Mediocre lenses get replaced as your skills improve, pretty much like dslr bodies. I bought this to replace a... » Read More The 24-70 is great for family portraits on the wider end. For individual portraits, and this may sound counter-intuitive, a 70-200 is better for the bokeh and getting in tight on your subject, but that's if you're shooting full frame. If you're using it on a DX body like the D5000, I think the range is ideal. As for the lens, it is an incredibly high image quality optic that can potentially stay with you forever as you upgrade from camera to camera. Good lenses are an investment. Mediocre lenses get replaced as your skills improve, pretty much like dslr bodies. I bought this to replace a Nikon 28-105, which I've happily retired. So, in short, buy this great lens if you plan to stay with Nikon bodies. « Show Less
1784424
No, this is perfect for portraits, unless you have been using a 105mm. Lense is a little bit heavier than if you went with fixed focus, but the 24-70 is just perfect for indoors & the f/2.8 let's you keep you ISO at about 200 & still shoot without flash. WARNING: Don't use lens hood with on-camera flash at less than 45mm. You will get a shadow at the bottom of picture.
1784425
Hello Mindy !Since I've a child, it's the only kind of pictures I take :D Colors are just great, pictures of kids running, jumping and playing, even with not so great light conditions are perfect.Hope this helps
1784426
The lens is great for all around use. Tack sharp and worth every penny. If you plan on moving full frame it's worth it. On a DX body it will act like a 36-105. It's a bit on the weighty side but not over bearing. I have found the images have a certain pop to them that most other lenses can't provide unless they have the nano coating. Your other option is the great 17-55 which is designed for DX cameras. Look online there are some great reviews. If money isn't an issue go for it.
1784427
The 24-70 is great for family portraits on the wider end. For individual portraits, and this may sound counter-intuitive, a 70-200 is better for the bokeh and getting in tight on your subject, but that's if you're shooting full frame. If you're using it on a DX body like the D5000, I think the range is ideal. As for the lens, it is an incredibly high image quality optic that can potentially stay with you forever as you upgrade from camera to camera. Good lenses are an investment. Mediocre lenses get replaced as your skills improve, pretty much like dslr bodies. I bought this to replace a Nikon 28-105, which I've happily retired. So, in short, buy this great lens if you plan to stay with Nikon bodies.
1784428
I use my 24-70 for just about everthing, it is a great lens. I have done portraits, events, weddings and my own stuff while on vacations. Your only other real alternatives are primes. (85mm, 50mm and the 70-200mm) The pics come out of the 24-70 really sharp, the bokeh is great and the contrast is really eye opening if you have metered your shots correctly... Hope this helps..Phil
1530821
I use this lens to shoot sports photography and it's a sharp lens. You should have no issues shooting portraits
1241574
I do not if this will help you. I use it for portraits, sports and landscapes. I did not have any problems with it. I use it sometimes with my outside toddler portraits. It is not my main lens for portraits. I usually use my 50mm or 28-135mm.
1139201
Here is the thing about that lens. It makes people look GOOFY. It distorts faces. Maybe it makes kids and babies look weird for a purpose. I used it on a documentary, and I love it handheld, but it is whack. It makes cars, buildings, look great if you put it SUPER close to a foreground object. I would not buy it for weddings. It is also cool in Oregon dark nights for time-lapse... I would get a 100MM zeiss for weddings or 100mm canon macro.
1398787
This lens is great for portraits, and outdoors. It's a great all around lens. I use it for taking pictures of my kids and for taking pictures of my garden. I love it!
1891735
I love this lens for portraits. The focus may be a little slower than a dedicated 105mm being that its macro but there's a switch you can hit to keep the lens from searching for focus in the macro regions. That allows it to focus a little faster for portraits and other non macro work.
2122556
hi. Do you plan to shoot more weddings or landscapes...? i think it could be the answer of your question. I think about buying this lens too. i am a wedding photographer, and wedding conditions are always dark light situations. So i need the 2.8 aperture. If you are more a nature photographer, so the 2.8 is not so needed. During wedding the IS can't help too much, because the people that you take are dancing, the low speed will be impossible to use, even with IS on. I hope it will hlep you.
101690
I don't have enough information yet....what other lenses do you own, and what camera would you be shooting with? Are you the main photographer? Are you bringing lights or at least a high(er) powered flash unit?This is a great lens for macro use, but with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 this cannot be considered a fast lens at all. While a 50mm lens is fantastic for shooting in a more photojournalistic style, you will probably want something a little longer for portraits (especially if you're using a full-frame digital or film camera). Please respond with what camera(s) you'll be using and what other lenses you own and I'll give you more detail I don't have enough information yet....what other lenses do you own, and what camera would you be shooting with? Are you the main photographer? Are you bringing lights or at least a high(er) powered flash unit?This is a great lens for macro use, but with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 this cannot be considered a fast lens at all. While a 50mm lens is fantastic for shooting in a more photojournalistic style, you will probably want something a little longer for portraits (especially if you're using a full-frame digital or film camera). Please respond with what camera(s)... » Read More I don't have enough information yet....what other lenses do you own, and what camera would you be shooting with? Are you the main photographer? Are you bringing lights or at least a high(er) powered flash unit?This is a great lens for macro use, but with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 this cannot be considered a fast lens at all. While a 50mm lens is fantastic for shooting in a more photojournalistic style, you will probably want something a little longer for portraits (especially if you're using a full-frame digital or film camera). Please respond with what camera(s) you'll be using and what other lenses you own and I'll give you more detail « Show Less
1917664
Hi B. Sabb, I have use this lens for at least 2 yrs and taking tons of photo with that. It is a very sharp lens after f2.8 and excellent for portraiture. But it is not focus quick. If u want a quick Pentax lens, u might consider the one with "screw-drive" only, say the DA70. It is super sharp and focus quick. Enjoy your shooting. If u want to take your kids photo, i recommend u take the FA31 instead. As kids always move sudden and go closer to u, a wider lens is much better. Adam
2069807
This is a great portrait lens. I would say a mixture of 50mm and 85mm would do. This is a great lens !
987397
I have a Nikon D800, and this is my go to lens for portrait photography. The bokeh is amazing, and the lens creates very even skin tones. I would highly recommend this lens to anyone who takes a lot of photos of families, children, newborns, and weddings. Examples can be seen on my website: www.tagenbakerstudios.com
142426
at f2.8 it will be tough, since the DOF is pretty shallow, but you don't want to shoot portraits that wide open as they tend to be soft wide open on most lenses. if you want nice bokeh just increase the distance of your background behind your subject, while closing down the lens a few stops. but this lens should take sharp photos.
70516
I use my 50mm for some portraits, but mainly detail shots (close up). The 85mm is a fan-freaking-tastic portrait lens. I also use it for some landscape shots and it does a great job with that as well. I would recommend this lens to anyone I know.
1398788
It is a great lens for portraits. That's what I primarily use it for. Another good option is an 85mm.
360249
If you are talking about the formal shots of the couple and parents, etc. then yes. I hope you also have a decent normal zoom lens for the walk around and reception as well. But the Sigma will yield clean, accurate, sharp images for both full frame and APS-C. Your D5000 has a crop sensor so the Sigma will perform as a long focal length portrait style lens. If the light is good (garden settings and the like) you'll be able to take advantage of the aperture range you have available to capture desired in-focus (depth of field) elements of your photographs. Slower lenses wouldn't offer that flexible range like a f/1.4 lens can. Watch your DOF and be sure of your shutter speed since you don't have IS (if light levels are low). I'd say "Go for it!".
1891732
I have used it for taking portraits, as well as for macro shots. You have to stand back a bit for portraits, especially full body shots. It works great and it's my favorite lens!
2054215
The best way to answer your question is to ask what you're using it for. If you are using it for portraits of family members, I prefer this over the 50mm. However, if you are looking for point and shoot lenses, this is not the one for you.