Which Nikon D3100 lens is best for outdoor kid portraits with good bokeh and fast autofocus?
Asked 2/7/2012
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I shoot with a Nikon D3100 and want a lens mainly for outdoor photos of kids. I’m looking for strong background blur/bokeh, but I also need autofocus that can keep up with active children. I’m choosing between 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm primes. Which focal length makes the most sense on this camera, and which versions will autofocus properly on a D3100?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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For the D3100, which doesn't have an in-built autofocus motor, you'll need an AF-S lens. That rules out the f/1.8 "D" lenses (35, 50 and 85mm), leaving the f/1.4 lenses and the newer f/1.8 "G" lenses.
Outdoors you don't need f/1.4, and those are expensive lenses.
35mm is often a good focal length indoors where space is limited, but outdoors 50mm and 85mm are probably better choices. If you want out of focus backgrounds, a longer focal length helps. The 85mm produces gorgeous images - nice bokeh and a good length for portraits, as long as you can keep the kids in the frame!
I find the 35mm and 50mm are more versatile overall than the 85mm. I take 10x more shots with my 50mm than my 85mm, but on the occasions when the 85mm is used, it's stellar. You won't be disappointed with the 85mm, but you may get more use out of the 50mm. Also depends on what other lenses you have.
Originally by user4191. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4191
14y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
On a Nikon D3100, choose an AF-S lens if you want autofocus. The camera body does not have an in-body focus motor, so older AF-D 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm f/1.8 lenses won’t autofocus on it.
For your use, the AF-S 50mm f/1.8G is the safest recommendation. It autofocuses on the D3100, gives pleasing bokeh at f/1.8, and is more versatile than an 85mm for active kids outdoors.
Focal length tradeoffs:
- 35mm: more flexible in tight spaces, often better indoors.
- 50mm: strong all-around choice for portraits and kid photos outdoors.
- 85mm: excellent portrait look and stronger background blur, but tighter framing makes it harder to keep fast-moving kids in the shot.
If your priority is easy framing plus nice blur, go 50mm. If you mostly want classic portraits and have room to back up, 85mm can look beautiful. If you also need sports-field reach, a 70-200mm f/2.8 was suggested as a strong zoom option.
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