Best portrait lens?

[Cambo]

Originally Posted by alexgn

What's best portrait lens in Pentax's lineup?

Thanks!

Slightly soft and dreamy till f2.8, then sharpens dramatically from f4 on, but still very pleasing and sympathetic to the subject.

See a couple of shots in my gallery; click for bigger versions.

Magnificent lens. Hope they reissue it with weather sealing.

Cheers,
Cameron

[ll_coffee_lP]

I have 4 lenses that I use for portraits. All are very good and each one is a bit distinctive in it's own way (and/or is used for other functions). You really can't go wrong with any of the following:

Tamron 28-75mm f2.8
Sigma 70mm f2.8 macro
FA 50mm f1.4
FA 77mm f1.8

c[_]

[TanGU]

I love my 50mm f1.4, but f1.4 is totally useless i mean for portrait ! I usually take by best pictures at f2.4-f2.8 to have all the face clear and in focus.

[Igilligan]

Originally Posted by ll_coffee_lP

I have 4 lenses that I use for portraits. All are very good and each one is a bit distinctive in it's own way (and/or is used for other functions). You really can't go wrong with any of the following:

Tamron 28-75mm f2.8
Sigma 70mm f2.8 macro
FA 50mm f1.4
FA 77mm f1.8

c[_]

That is a nice collection of portrait lenses... I have two of them but would love to have the other two...

[jsherman999]

My favorite portrait lenses, in order:

M 85 f/2
FA 77ltd
DA* 50-135 at 135mm & f/3.5
FA 50 1.4 at f/2.0+

The DA* 50-135 is so amazingly versatile. It's actually kinda tied between the top 3.

DA* 50-135 @ 135mm f/3.5:

[hinman]

I recommend Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 as one of the less expensive choice and you can use it for walk around with emphasis on portraits. Of course, the other choices mentioned with limited lens in 70/77/16-50/50-135 are all outstanding choices.

Portraits with Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 Di LD & AF540 - Hin's Tech Corner

[8540tomg]

Hi all,

As with all "best" lens questions answers will vary and will always subjective. In my own case I set personal parameters on this sort of "best" question. It has to be a lens I own and go to most frequently for the job at hand. There may be "better" lenses out there, almost certainly, but if I don't own that lens who cares. In my case for portraits I reach most frequently for my DA 70mm. In order of use the next choice would be the M 50mm f/1.4 or M 50mm f/4 macro. Finally, for "ambush portraits" I use the K 200mm f/ 2.5.

Cheers,

Tom G

[alexgn]

Thanks for your replies & comments.

I am also looking at Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 disgned by Cosina. It is available for Nikon & Pentax mounts. The lens is not very expensive but it does not come with Auto Focus. It renders interesting colours and smooth bokeh.

I could not find many samples of portraits captured on this lens despite its focal length is ideal for portraits on cameras with APC-S sensors.

Here is a couple from flickr:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3123/...f10cb84d5f.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2328/...064c998b_o.jpg

[vanchaz2002]

I have k55/1.8 which is a soft wide open until f5.6. It could be a bargain portrait lens if you want the SF effect.

[alexgn]

There're many more samples on Voigtlander 58mm in this thread

ÎÞ¼ÉÂÛ̳ - ·ç»ËÍ«--¸£Â×´ï58mm/f1.4ÌÖÂÛÇø

[Igilligan]

Originally Posted by hinman

I recommend Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 as one of the less expensive choice and you can use it for walk around with emphasis on portraits. Of course, the other choices mentioned with limited lens in 70/77/16-50/50-135 are all outstanding choices.

Portraits with Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 Di LD & AF540 - Hin's Tech Corner

It is great to hear that you finally gave that lens a workout Hin. Nice shots in your blog too. I agree with your thoughts on it. It is my workhorse when it comes to snaportraits of the kids.

[rfortson]

This will be heresy to some, but I had the 77 Ltd and never really used it that much so I sold it. I find that the 50-135 is a fantastic lens and easily covers my needs in the 77mm range.

That being said, my best portrait to date (and the one that's been published a couple of times) was taken with the DA50-200 on my K100D.

[hinman]

Originally Posted by rfortson

This will be heresy to some, but I had the 77 Ltd and never really used it that much so I sold it. I find that the 50-135 is a fantastic lens and easily covers my needs in the 77mm range.

That being said, my best portrait to date (and the one that's been published a couple of times) was taken with the DA50-200 on my K100D.

I used my Pentax DA 50-200 for portraits along with my Tamron 70-300 Di LD Macro. They can't match up with DA 50-135, but if you are like me constrained by budget, I used my cheapo gear to the fullest and that includes portraits. With good lighting, those two lens serve me well for candid portraits in outing with my boys

Portraits with Pentax DA 50-200 f/4.0-5.6 - Hin's Tech Corner



Portraits with Tamron 70-300 Di LD Macro - Hin's Tech Corner

[Wheatfield]

Originally Posted by alexgn

Thanks for your replies & comments.

I am also looking at Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 disgned by Cosina. It is available for Nikon & Pentax mounts. The lens is not very expensive but it does not come with Auto Focus. It renders interesting colours and smooth bokeh.

These were shot with the 58mm/1.4 Nokton

A Picture
A Picture

[augustmoon]

I'd say overall, the DA*50-135. It covers a good range for portraits all the way up to head shots and beyond. I was really surprised at how remarkably similar the color, contrast and sharpness was to the DA70 Limited I had, even pixel-peeping it was nearly impossible to tell them apart. By far, the best quality zoom I've used for portraits, including a couple Canon "L" zooms I used to have.