Best lens choices for indoor self-portraits and gym videos on a Nikon D5100 in small rooms

Question

I’m buying a Nikon D5100 and will mostly shoot self-portraits indoors in two small spaces: about 12×12 ft and 9×8.8 ft. Most photos will be headshots, head-and-shoulders, and upper-body portraits, with occasional full-body shots and family photos. I also want to record gym workout videos in the 12×12 ft room.

I’m interested in sharp, natural-looking images with some background blur, and I had been considering primes like 85mm or even 135mm. However, I’ve been told those focal lengths may be too long for my available space. A shop suggested a 35mm lens instead.

Given these room sizes and shooting needs, what focal lengths make the most sense on a Nikon DX body for indoor portraits and video? Is it better to start with a zoom, a prime, or a combination of both?

user9510 · Answer

If you're limited in your interior space I would consider looking into exterior skills/options. You'll be subject to the weather, but the additional space has it's advantages. I find that if I'm too near a wall and/or ceiling then bouncing light becomes problematic.

Also, being confined to a space like that can be problematic for your focal lengths. Take the picture of Ben Stiller. If you want it to be that dark in the back, which that much light on the face, you'll need to move him away from the wall. That means that you'll be up against a wall with a person right in front of you. This then means you need a wider angle lens to get everything in the shot, but can cause issues with perspective distortion (generally you want 100mm or longer for headshots).

However, if you go outside with a scrim and a reflector you could probably open up a lot of options.

Best lens choices for indoor self-portraits and gym videos on a Nikon D5100 in small rooms

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