HELP a portrait photog choose her next lens!!!

Mom2Gage · 08-02-2010, 11:06 AM

The title pretty much says it all! I'm a portrait photographer who is fairly new to the biz but expanding... I do studio and outdoor shots with occasional weddings.

Most immediately is the want for a new lens!

Here is what I have:
standard 18-55 kit lens
50mm 1.4
DA 55-300mm 5.8
Tamron 90mm 2.8 Macro

I was toying with the idea of buying a new prime... or possibly a fisheye (but that would be more to play with I assume)... but really open to anything that will help me with my growing business as well as my love of the hobby.

My concerns are sharpness, speed, low light capabilities would be nice...

Thanks!

Ira · 08-02-2010, 11:23 AM

I don't think the specifics of your question are all that clear.

Your Tamron is fine for portraits, as well as your fast 50.

**Lowell Goudge** · 08-02-2010, 11:28 AM

You might want to look at the samyang (aka vivitar, bower, pro-optic, et. al.) 85mm F1.4.

egordon99 · 08-02-2010, 11:34 AM

Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 is an awesome portrait lens!

Marc Sabatella · 08-02-2010, 11:50 AM

You don't say what lighting or other studio equipment you have, but given your current lenses, I'd say your next several thousands dollars should go toward strobes, reflectors, stands, backdrops,etc.

Mom2Gage · 08-02-2010, 11:55 AM

I do have studio equipment, and very happy with my choices there.

Im craving a new lens!

builttospill · 08-02-2010, 11:59 AM

I'd second the suggestion for the 50-135. Either that or get rid of your kit lens and try out the 16-50 or a third-party fast zoom in a similar length (28-70, 17-70, etc.)

But you did mention you're considering a prime, so why not go for the FA 31?

Mom2Gage · 08-02-2010, 12:12 PM

Originally posted by builttospill

I'd second the suggestion for the 50-135. Either that or get rid of your kit lens and try out the 16-50 or a third-party fast zoom in a similar length (28-70, 17-70, etc.)

But you did mention you're considering a prime, so why not go for the FA 31?

I like your train of thought... I was thinking a good zoom or a prime...

Any other suggestions folks?

nulla · 08-02-2010, 12:30 PM

Originally posted by builttospill

I'd second the suggestion for the 50-135. Either that or get rid of your kit lens and try out the 16-50 or a third-party fast zoom in a similar length (28-70, 17-70, etc.)

But you did mention you're considering a prime, so why not go for the FA 31?

I agree with this

that is possibly the best zoom/s in that range in the Pentax lineup to meet your requirements.

No need at all to comment on the choice of prime here.

Neil

Mom2Gage · 08-02-2010, 01:38 PM

Originally posted by builttospill

I'd second the suggestion for the 50-135. Either that or get rid of your kit lens and try out the 16-50 or a third-party fast zoom in a similar length (28-70, 17-70, etc.)

But you did mention you're considering a prime, so why not go for the FA 31?

Only if I could find the 31 second hand..

**Lowell Goudge** · 08-02-2010, 02:57 PM

Originally posted by Mom2Gage

Only if I could find the 31 second hand..

Interesting

You seem to be thinking wider and most posters are thinking longer

Are you space limited?

goubejp · 08-02-2010, 03:04 PM

Originally posted by Mom2Gage

Only if I could find the 31 second hand..

Really ? FA 31 is not exactly a portrait lens - too short focal length; you'll be too close from your subject and perspective will not be correct too. With current Pentax lineup the choice would turn in favor of the 77 limited for a prime. FA*85 has also excellent reputation but it can be found on second hand only at high prices. May be the coming Sigma 85 f1.4 is also a good choice; there is a thread below that compares the different 85 mm from various brands
Regards

Ira · 08-02-2010, 03:05 PM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

Interesting

You seem to be thinking wider and most posters are thinking longer

Are you space limited?

Lowell, I'm TOTALLY confused:

Who the heck would use a 31 for portraits, or for that matter, choose a zoom over a prime?

twitch · 08-02-2010, 03:06 PM

If you are shooting weddings I would have thought you'd really need some f2.8 zooms and strobes. You could probably cover 90% of you needs with the 16-50 f2.8 and the 50-135 f2.8. The other 10% would be 2 fast primes, such as FA31 and a FA77.

I'd concentrate though on getting those fast zooms first. For portraits the 50-135 is fantastic.

Ira · 08-02-2010, 03:06 PM

This is the sound of me jumping ship:
:ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh:

08-02-2010, 11:06 AM	#1
Mom2Gage New Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Belleville, IL Posts: 21	HELP a portrait photog choose her next lens!!! The title pretty much says it all! I'm a portrait photographer who is fairly new to the biz but expanding... I do studio and outdoor shots with occasional weddings. Most immediately is the want for a new lens! Here is what I have: standard 18-55 kit lens 50mm 1.4 DA 55-300mm 5.8 Tamron 90mm 2.8 Macro I was toying with the idea of buying a new prime... or possibly a fisheye (but that would be more to play with I assume)... but really open to anything that will help me with my growing business as well as my love of the hobby. My concerns are sharpness, speed, low light capabilities would be nice... Thanks!

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08-02-2010, 11:23 AM	#2
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	I don't think the specifics of your question are all that clear. Your Tamron is fine for portraits, as well as your fast 50.

08-02-2010, 11:28 AM	#3
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	You might want to look at the samyang (aka vivitar, bower, pro-optic, et. al.) 85mm F1.4.

08-02-2010, 11:34 AM	#4
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 is an awesome portrait lens!

08-02-2010, 11:50 AM	#5
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	You don't say what lighting or other studio equipment you have, but given your current lenses, I'd say your next several thousands dollars should go toward strobes, reflectors, stands, backdrops,etc.

08-02-2010, 11:55 AM	#6
Mom2Gage New Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Belleville, IL Posts: 21 Original Poster	I do have studio equipment, and very happy with my choices there. Im craving a new lens!

08-02-2010, 11:59 AM	#7
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	I'd second the suggestion for the 50-135. Either that or get rid of your kit lens and try out the 16-50 or a third-party fast zoom in a similar length (28-70, 17-70, etc.) But you did mention you're considering a prime, so why not go for the FA 31?

08-02-2010, 12:12 PM	#8
Mom2Gage New Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Belleville, IL Posts: 21 Original Poster	Originally posted by builttospill I'd second the suggestion for the 50-135. Either that or get rid of your kit lens and try out the 16-50 or a third-party fast zoom in a similar length (28-70, 17-70, etc.) But you did mention you're considering a prime, so why not go for the FA 31? I like your train of thought... I was thinking a good zoom or a prime... Any other suggestions folks?

08-02-2010, 12:30 PM	#9
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	Originally posted by builttospill I'd second the suggestion for the 50-135. Either that or get rid of your kit lens and try out the 16-50 or a third-party fast zoom in a similar length (28-70, 17-70, etc.) But you did mention you're considering a prime, so why not go for the FA 31? I agree with this that is possibly the best zoom/s in that range in the Pentax lineup to meet your requirements. No need at all to comment on the choice of prime here. Neil

08-02-2010, 01:38 PM	#10
Mom2Gage New Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Belleville, IL Posts: 21 Original Poster	Originally posted by builttospill I'd second the suggestion for the 50-135. Either that or get rid of your kit lens and try out the 16-50 or a third-party fast zoom in a similar length (28-70, 17-70, etc.) But you did mention you're considering a prime, so why not go for the FA 31? Only if I could find the 31 second hand..

08-02-2010, 02:57 PM	#11
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	Originally posted by Mom2Gage Only if I could find the 31 second hand.. Interesting You seem to be thinking wider and most posters are thinking longer Are you space limited?

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08-02-2010, 03:04 PM	#12
goubejp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France Photos: Albums Posts: 804	Originally posted by Mom2Gage Only if I could find the 31 second hand.. Really ? FA 31 is not exactly a portrait lens - too short focal length; you'll be too close from your subject and perspective will not be correct too. With current Pentax lineup the choice would turn in favor of the 77 limited for a prime. FA*85 has also excellent reputation but it can be found on second hand only at high prices. May be the coming Sigma 85 f1.4 is also a good choice; there is a thread below that compares the different 85 mm from various brands Regards

08-02-2010, 03:05 PM	#13
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge Interesting You seem to be thinking wider and most posters are thinking longer Are you space limited? Lowell, I'm TOTALLY confused: Who the heck would use a 31 for portraits, or for that matter, choose a zoom over a prime?

08-02-2010, 03:06 PM	#14
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	If you are shooting weddings I would have thought you'd really need some f2.8 zooms and strobes. You could probably cover 90% of you needs with the 16-50 f2.8 and the 50-135 f2.8. The other 10% would be 2 fast primes, such as FA31 and a FA77. I'd concentrate though on getting those fast zooms first. For portraits the 50-135 is fantastic.

08-02-2010, 03:06 PM	#15
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	This is the sound of me jumping ship: :ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh: