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twix23919 · 12-14-2010, 07:12 AM

I bought the K-x with the 2 lens kit.....18-50mm and the 55-300mm....I would like to buy a good portrait lens. It can be a Pentax, Sigma, Tamaron, or even another brand that comes recommended. I would like to get a faster lens....perhaps a 1.8 or maybe 2.8 depending on cost. I'm also thinking a zoom.....I found something in the 24mm to 70mm range. I just don't know anything about all those numbers they have on these lenses.....or even what they mean. Any help would be appreciated. Money is an issue.....I would like to keep the cost under $1000...if not, I could wait till I had the money if the suggestions are over that grand and it would be worth the wait. Thanks ahead of time to everyone! Hope y'all are enjoying the season!

greymda · 12-14-2010, 07:14 AM

da 70mm limited. i guess.

idkjai · 12-14-2010, 07:19 AM

Hmm do you need portability? or versatility?

twix23919 · 12-14-2010, 07:31 AM

I guess both on the portability vs versatility, but I'm guessing versatility would be more important.

eddie1960 · 12-14-2010, 07:35 AM

If you really want to take advantage of DOF then a zoom will not be the right choice, it's just not fast enough. On 35mm the classic portrait lens would be an 85-105 mm less than f2 and in the best cases f1.4 f1.2. the DOF of these speeds are not obtainable on APSC sensors (you'd need a 0.95 55mm to emulate an 85 at these speeds - not an available item. The voigtlander 58 f1.4 is and would be a stellar choice if you don't mind manual focus
at the longer end I think the FA77 is a better portrait choice than the DA70 from what I've observed
Also if you want reasonable though a little short the a 50 1.2 an 1.4 are excellent lenses at much lower costs than any of the above
I've used my Sigma 24-70 f2.8 in a pinch, but it really doesn't give the DOF and "bokeh" of a really nice prime
It does however add a nice flexible lens to your arsenal for a reasonable cost
If I had the cash I would likely replace it with the FA series across the board with the DA21 for the wider end (21,31,43,77) as it sits i work on my Manual Focus skills and spend far less money

Frogfish · 12-14-2010, 07:47 AM

You mentioned a zoom and as a newbie (no offence intended) this may be a better option than a prime at this stage. A few people here have the Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 DG EX which looks like a superb lense and gets much love ! Tamron also have a 28-75 F2.8 which may be an option. These would all come in a long way under your budget.

twix23919 · 12-14-2010, 07:48 AM

In regards to manual focus, would having the auto option be better when photographing fast moving children in an outdoor setting? what's the brand of the FA77? is that a Pentax?

Frogfish · 12-14-2010, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by twix23919

In regards to manual focus, would having the auto option be better when photographing fast moving children in an outdoor setting? what's the brand of the FA77? is that a Pentax?

The FA77 Ltd is THE Pentax lense !

You pretty much MUST have AF for fast moving children

twix23919 · 12-14-2010, 07:50 AM

no offense taken! I'm old school and have been away from photography for a LONG time....getting back into it....love the dslr...but trying to be smart with my money. lots to learn! I want to make a smart choice on the portrait lens without breaking the bank, but also hopefully not needing many more lenses down the road.

twix23919 · 12-14-2010, 07:52 AM

oh...I asked cuz of you talking about manual focus lenses.....grin! I'll go check on that one....thanks!

eddie1960 · 12-14-2010, 07:52 AM

Originally posted by Frogfish

You mentioned a zoom and as a newbie (no offence intended) this may be a better option than a prime at this stage. A few people here have the Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 DG EX which looks like a superb lense and gets much love ! Tamron also have a 28-75 F2.8 which may be an option. These would all come in a long way under your budget.

IF you are going the Zoom route as I said the Sigma is a great general purpose lens, and until I obtained a lot of manual primes it was my main lens

Frogfish · 12-14-2010, 07:54 AM

Originally posted by twix23919

no offense taken! I'm old school and have been away from photography for a LONG time....getting back into it....love the dslr...but trying to be smart with my money. lots to learn! I want to make a smart choice on the portrait lens without breaking the bank, but also hopefully not needing many more lenses down the road.

For your money you may be able to get the Sigma 24-70 and another Pentax classic, the 43 Ltd - a fantastic AF lense.

twix23919 · 12-14-2010, 07:59 AM

I checked out that FA77 lens.....on sale, it is staying under the grand.....could be a could option....I really didn't wanna lose the DOF.

Frogfish · 12-14-2010, 08:01 AM

When you talk about a portrait lense in what situations are you envisaging using it ?

The 77 could be too long in some circumstances and the 43 is an excellent lense for say parties, family gatherings etc.

greymda · 12-14-2010, 08:04 AM

take a look at a 70mm limited. it's like 550USD brand-new. see reviews SMC Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited Lens Reviews - Pentax Lens Reviews & Pentax Lens Database

12-14-2010, 07:12 AM	#1
twix23919 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: United States Photos: Albums Posts: 54	Good Portrait Lens...need help in decision I bought the K-x with the 2 lens kit.....18-50mm and the 55-300mm....I would like to buy a good portrait lens. It can be a Pentax, Sigma, Tamaron, or even another brand that comes recommended. I would like to get a faster lens....perhaps a 1.8 or maybe 2.8 depending on cost. I'm also thinking a zoom.....I found something in the 24mm to 70mm range. I just don't know anything about all those numbers they have on these lenses.....or even what they mean. Any help would be appreciated. Money is an issue.....I would like to keep the cost under $1000...if not, I could wait till I had the money if the suggestions are over that grand and it would be worth the wait. Thanks ahead of time to everyone! Hope y'all are enjoying the season!

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12-14-2010, 07:14 AM	#2
greymda Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Moldova, EU Posts: 150	da 70mm limited. i guess.

12-14-2010, 07:19 AM	#3
idkjai Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New York, NY Posts: 104	Hmm do you need portability? or versatility?

12-14-2010, 07:31 AM	#4
twix23919 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: United States Photos: Albums Posts: 54 Original Poster	I guess both on the portability vs versatility, but I'm guessing versatility would be more important.

12-14-2010, 07:35 AM	#5
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,667	If you really want to take advantage of DOF then a zoom will not be the right choice, it's just not fast enough. On 35mm the classic portrait lens would be an 85-105 mm less than f2 and in the best cases f1.4 f1.2. the DOF of these speeds are not obtainable on APSC sensors (you'd need a 0.95 55mm to emulate an 85 at these speeds - not an available item. The voigtlander 58 f1.4 is and would be a stellar choice if you don't mind manual focus at the longer end I think the FA77 is a better portrait choice than the DA70 from what I've observed Also if you want reasonable though a little short the a 50 1.2 an 1.4 are excellent lenses at much lower costs than any of the above I've used my Sigma 24-70 f2.8 in a pinch, but it really doesn't give the DOF and "bokeh" of a really nice prime It does however add a nice flexible lens to your arsenal for a reasonable cost If I had the cash I would likely replace it with the FA series across the board with the DA21 for the wider end (21,31,43,77) as it sits i work on my Manual Focus skills and spend far less money

12-14-2010, 07:47 AM	#6
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	You mentioned a zoom and as a newbie (no offence intended) this may be a better option than a prime at this stage. A few people here have the Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 DG EX which looks like a superb lense and gets much love ! Tamron also have a 28-75 F2.8 which may be an option. These would all come in a long way under your budget.

12-14-2010, 07:48 AM	#7
twix23919 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: United States Photos: Albums Posts: 54 Original Poster	In regards to manual focus, would having the auto option be better when photographing fast moving children in an outdoor setting? what's the brand of the FA77? is that a Pentax?

12-14-2010, 07:50 AM	#8
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by twix23919 In regards to manual focus, would having the auto option be better when photographing fast moving children in an outdoor setting? what's the brand of the FA77? is that a Pentax? The FA77 Ltd is THE Pentax lense ! You pretty much MUST have AF for fast moving children

12-14-2010, 07:52 AM	#10
twix23919 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: United States Photos: Albums Posts: 54 Original Poster	oh...I asked cuz of you talking about manual focus lenses.....grin! I'll go check on that one....thanks!

12-14-2010, 07:52 AM	#11
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,667	Originally posted by Frogfish You mentioned a zoom and as a newbie (no offence intended) this may be a better option than a prime at this stage. A few people here have the Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 DG EX which looks like a superb lense and gets much love ! Tamron also have a 28-75 F2.8 which may be an option. These would all come in a long way under your budget. IF you are going the Zoom route as I said the Sigma is a great general purpose lens, and until I obtained a lot of manual primes it was my main lens

12-14-2010, 07:54 AM	#12
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by twix23919 no offense taken! I'm old school and have been away from photography for a LONG time....getting back into it....love the dslr...but trying to be smart with my money. lots to learn! I want to make a smart choice on the portrait lens without breaking the bank, but also hopefully not needing many more lenses down the road. For your money you may be able to get the Sigma 24-70 and another Pentax classic, the 43 Ltd - a fantastic AF lense.

12-14-2010, 07:59 AM	#13
twix23919 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: United States Photos: Albums Posts: 54 Original Poster	I checked out that FA77 lens.....on sale, it is staying under the grand.....could be a could option....I really didn't wanna lose the DOF.

12-14-2010, 08:01 AM	#14
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	When you talk about a portrait lense in what situations are you envisaging using it ? The 77 could be too long in some circumstances and the 43 is an excellent lense for say parties, family gatherings etc.

12-14-2010, 08:04 AM	#15
greymda Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Moldova, EU Posts: 150	take a look at a 70mm limited. it's like 550USD brand-new. see reviews SMC Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited Lens Reviews - Pentax Lens Reviews & Pentax Lens Database

Good Portrait Lens...need help in decision

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!