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yozza · 10-27-2016, 05:01 PM

I am looking at buying my first portrait lense for a k1, and came across the pentax-fa-50mm-f1-4-lens which has very good reviews and are now looking to buy.

Does anyone use this at all for portraits? It is very afforfable but quality is just as important. For some reason i think the cheaper the lense, then not as good, but that may be wrong

Saltwater Images · 10-27-2016, 05:11 PM

The FA 50 f/1.4 is a great lens. I have only used it on APS-C bodies so can't comment on the result it delivers on Full Frame. 50mm is perfect for portraits on a crop sensor. Given the cost of a K-1; wouldn't you want to consider the FA 77 Ltd?

yozza · 10-27-2016, 05:18 PM

I was thinking that though i think this length give would give me more head and shoulders, where my focus is more so full length body shots with a 50mm

Saltwater Images · 10-27-2016, 05:24 PM

Full length body shots...have you considered the FA 35 f/2? It won't give you the dreamy bokeh of the FA 50 - but is razor sharp wide open at f/2. Rendering and colours are magical in the way that only an FA prime lens can deliver....

yozza · 10-27-2016, 05:35 PM

Oh i didnt see that, thankyou, very affordable to

**Des** · 10-27-2016, 06:19 PM

Or the FA 43 Ltd f1.9. It's a lot cheaper than the other Princesses, but has some of the same magic.

yozza · 10-27-2016, 06:29 PM

How would you compare the 43 to the 50, or if anyone has tried the 55?

**Des** · 10-27-2016, 06:50 PM

Originally posted by yozza

How would you compare the 43 to the 50, or if anyone has tried the 55?

I haven't had the FA 50 f1.4, or the DA*55, but I've had the FA 43 Ltd, the A-50 f1.7 and DA 50 f1.8 (on APS-C only). Both 50s have been very good, but the 43 just has a little magic about it. It can be prone to CA though. Of course like most lenses it is fairly soft wide open, but the bokeh is lovely.

**rod_grant** · 10-27-2016, 06:56 PM

Des, was that supposed to be a portrait? A little bit OOF.

Edgar_in_Indy · 10-27-2016, 07:25 PM

For portraits on FF I would find 50mm too short in many instances. I think the Pentax 77mm or Sigma 85mm would be a better choice if you don't mind spending a bit more. They're not the cheapest, but they're not too expensive either.

**Des** · 10-27-2016, 07:25 PM - **1 Like**

Ah, was that the problem?

Ladies of a certain age don't always appreciate sharp portraits.

yozza · 10-27-2016, 07:59 PM

Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy

For portraits on FF I would find 50mm too short in many instances. I think the Pentax 77mm or Sigma 85mm would be a better choice if you don't mind spending a bit more. They're not the cheapest, but they're not too expensive either.

Edgar if i am shooting full body versus head and shoulders would you still go with these over a 50?

ranchy · 10-27-2016, 08:03 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by yozza

I am looking at buying my first portrait lense for a k1, and came across the pentax-fa-50mm-f1-4-lens which has very good reviews and are now looking to buy.

Does anyone use this at all for portraits? It is very afforfable but quality is just as important. For some reason i think the cheaper the lense, then not as good, but that may be wrong

It's a nice lens. Actually, most of pentax 50mm lens like M50, K50, Takumar 50 are all nice lenses.

I don't quite like using 50mm on APS-C in the past but it works well on Full frame.

Some shots on full frame
this one with Sony a7 - no idea what stop i used.

On K1, it great that there's a AF lens available. I think DA55 would be even better!
F1.8

F7.1

F2.5

F1.4

yozza · 10-27-2016, 08:11 PM

great shots, i love the girl in the pink hair.

Edgar_in_Indy · 10-27-2016, 08:16 PM

Originally posted by yozza

Edgar if i am shooting full body versus head and shoulders would you still go with these over a 50?

If I could only choose one prime lens for people pictures, then I'd go with a true portrait lens like the 77 or 85mm. Reason being is that you can use the same lens for full body shots or for head shots. True, you have to back up a bit for body shots, but if you want to do any tight head shots with a 50mm then it's not the most flattering focal length.

The obvious solution to this dilemma would be a zoom. The Pentax 24-70mm would be great, but there are also some much cheaper alternatives that are also nice performers, such as the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 or the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 (I've used and enjoyed the Tamron, but I can't vouch for the Sigma). That's probably the direction I would go for event shooting. The wide end would let you do group shots, the mid-range would be good for full-body, and you can zoom in for tight head shots.

10-27-2016, 05:01 PM	#1
yozza Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 77	Portrait lense? Pentax-fa-50mm-f1-4-lens I am looking at buying my first portrait lense for a k1, and came across the pentax-fa-50mm-f1-4-lens which has very good reviews and are now looking to buy. Does anyone use this at all for portraits? It is very afforfable but quality is just as important. For some reason i think the cheaper the lense, then not as good, but that may be wrong

10-27-2016, 06:50 PM	#8
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,424	Originally posted by yozza How would you compare the 43 to the 50, or if anyone has tried the 55? I haven't had the FA 50 f1.4, or the DA55, but I've had the FA 43 Ltd, the A-50 f1.7 and DA 50 f1.8 (on APS-C only). Both 50s have been very good, but the 43 just has a little magic about it. It can be prone to CA though. Of course like most lenses it is fairly soft wide open, but the bokeh is lovely. Last edited by Des; 10-28-2016 at 06:14 PM.*

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10-27-2016, 05:11 PM	#2
Saltwater Images Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Newfoundland Photos: Gallery Posts: 501	The FA 50 f/1.4 is a great lens. I have only used it on APS-C bodies so can't comment on the result it delivers on Full Frame. 50mm is perfect for portraits on a crop sensor. Given the cost of a K-1; wouldn't you want to consider the FA 77 Ltd?

10-27-2016, 05:18 PM	#3
yozza Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 77 Original Poster	I was thinking that though i think this length give would give me more head and shoulders, where my focus is more so full length body shots with a 50mm

10-27-2016, 05:24 PM	#4
Saltwater Images Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Newfoundland Photos: Gallery Posts: 501	Full length body shots...have you considered the FA 35 f/2? It won't give you the dreamy bokeh of the FA 50 - but is razor sharp wide open at f/2. Rendering and colours are magical in the way that only an FA prime lens can deliver....

10-27-2016, 05:35 PM	#5
yozza Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 77 Original Poster	Oh i didnt see that, thankyou, very affordable to

10-27-2016, 06:19 PM	#6
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,424	Or the FA 43 Ltd f1.9. It's a lot cheaper than the other Princesses, but has some of the same magic.

10-27-2016, 06:29 PM	#7
yozza Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 77 Original Poster	How would you compare the 43 to the 50, or if anyone has tried the 55?

10-27-2016, 06:56 PM	#9
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	Des, was that supposed to be a portrait? A little bit OOF.

10-27-2016, 07:25 PM	#10
Edgar_in_Indy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	For portraits on FF I would find 50mm too short in many instances. I think the Pentax 77mm or Sigma 85mm would be a better choice if you don't mind spending a bit more. They're not the cheapest, but they're not too expensive either.

10-27-2016, 07:25 PM - 1 Like	#11
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,424	Ah, was that the problem? Ladies of a certain age don't always appreciate sharp portraits.

10-27-2016, 07:59 PM	#12
yozza Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 77 Original Poster	Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy For portraits on FF I would find 50mm too short in many instances. I think the Pentax 77mm or Sigma 85mm would be a better choice if you don't mind spending a bit more. They're not the cheapest, but they're not too expensive either. Edgar if i am shooting full body versus head and shoulders would you still go with these over a 50?

10-27-2016, 08:03 PM - 2 Likes	#13
ranchy Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 570	Originally posted by yozza I am looking at buying my first portrait lense for a k1, and came across the pentax-fa-50mm-f1-4-lens which has very good reviews and are now looking to buy. Does anyone use this at all for portraits? It is very afforfable but quality is just as important. For some reason i think the cheaper the lense, then not as good, but that may be wrong It's a nice lens. Actually, most of pentax 50mm lens like M50, K50, Takumar 50 are all nice lenses. I don't quite like using 50mm on APS-C in the past but it works well on Full frame. Some shots on full frame this one with Sony a7 - no idea what stop i used. On K1, it great that there's a AF lens available. I think DA55 would be even better! F1.8 F7.1 F2.5 F1.4

10-27-2016, 08:11 PM	#14
yozza Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 77 Original Poster	great shots, i love the girl in the pink hair.

10-27-2016, 08:16 PM	#15
Edgar_in_Indy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	Originally posted by yozza Edgar if i am shooting full body versus head and shoulders would you still go with these over a 50? If I could only choose one prime lens for people pictures, then I'd go with a true portrait lens like the 77 or 85mm. Reason being is that you can use the same lens for full body shots or for head shots. True, you have to back up a bit for body shots, but if you want to do any tight head shots with a 50mm then it's not the most flattering focal length. The obvious solution to this dilemma would be a zoom. The Pentax 24-70mm would be great, but there are also some much cheaper alternatives that are also nice performers, such as the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 or the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 (I've used and enjoyed the Tamron, but I can't vouch for the Sigma). That's probably the direction I would go for event shooting. The wide end would let you do group shots, the mid-range would be good for full-body, and you can zoom in for tight head shots.

Portrait lense? Pentax-fa-50mm-f1-4-lens

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