Would the DA 70 make a good portrait lens?

GeneV · 04-14-2011, 07:20 AM

Originally posted by justtakingpics

But is it worth having only this lens if you only plan on portraits and general pics but mainly for pro portraits? I know some have already answered but I am leaning towards selling my super taks and using saved money to get the lens. On the other hand I thought about saving my super taks and going with some nice slave lighting, umbrella, and radio triggers.

Which lens are you talking about now, still the DA70? Personally, the 70-85mm range is my favorite for portraits, but if we are now comparing purchases of other equipment, lighting is more important for studio portraits, especially when you have glass that is at or near that range.

As others have noted, manual focus is not difficult in the studio setting, and once you set your lighting up, automatic exposure is not an issue, either. Your zooms and taks should get you there.

justtakingpics · 04-14-2011, 08:48 AM

Originally posted by GeneV

Which lens are you talking about now, still the DA70? Personally, the 70-85mm range is my favorite for portraits, but if we are now comparing purchases of other equipment, lighting is more important for studio portraits, especially when you have glass that is at or near that range.

As others have noted, manual focus is not difficult in the studio setting, and once you set your lighting up, automatic exposure is not an issue, either. Your zooms and taks should get you there.

It's actually outdoor portraits.

edit: maybe I should do indoor portraits. Kind of creepy leading people to a photography studio in my garage though.

selar · 04-14-2011, 04:26 PM

Sounds like you need investment in other areas than lenses to acheive your objective.

Marc Sabatella · 04-14-2011, 05:30 PM

Looking at the list of lenses you own, I'd dump most of the M42's in a heartbeat if that were the best way to fund a good portrait lens. Only the 50 or 55 would stay; the rest really just duplicate what you have in zooms.

justtakingpics · 04-14-2011, 05:46 PM

Originally posted by Marc Sabatella

Looking at the list of lenses you own, I'd dump most of the M42's in a heartbeat if that were the best way to fund a good portrait lens. Only the 50 or 55 would stay; the rest really just duplicate what you have in zooms.

I thought I would dump all but the 50 so you have confirmed what I thought. Typically, at least in my research, the 50 1.4 lenses are more costly and good investments. This was just the 1.4 before that AF era but still a good lens. The 55 has sharp images, however. I have yet to decide. Thanks.

04-14-2011, 08:48 AM	#47
justtakingpics Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 288 Original Poster	Originally posted by GeneV Which lens are you talking about now, still the DA70? Personally, the 70-85mm range is my favorite for portraits, but if we are now comparing purchases of other equipment, lighting is more important for studio portraits, especially when you have glass that is at or near that range. As others have noted, manual focus is not difficult in the studio setting, and once you set your lighting up, automatic exposure is not an issue, either. Your zooms and taks should get you there. It's actually outdoor portraits. edit: maybe I should do indoor portraits. Kind of creepy leading people to a photography studio in my garage though. Last edited by justtakingpics; 04-14-2011 at 09:46 AM.

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04-14-2011, 07:20 AM	#46
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by justtakingpics But is it worth having only this lens if you only plan on portraits and general pics but mainly for pro portraits? I know some have already answered but I am leaning towards selling my super taks and using saved money to get the lens. On the other hand I thought about saving my super taks and going with some nice slave lighting, umbrella, and radio triggers. Which lens are you talking about now, still the DA70? Personally, the 70-85mm range is my favorite for portraits, but if we are now comparing purchases of other equipment, lighting is more important for studio portraits, especially when you have glass that is at or near that range. As others have noted, manual focus is not difficult in the studio setting, and once you set your lighting up, automatic exposure is not an issue, either. Your zooms and taks should get you there.

04-14-2011, 04:26 PM	#48
selar Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,042	Sounds like you need investment in other areas than lenses to acheive your objective.

04-14-2011, 05:30 PM	#49
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Looking at the list of lenses you own, I'd dump most of the M42's in a heartbeat if that were the best way to fund a good portrait lens. Only the 50 or 55 would stay; the rest really just duplicate what you have in zooms.

04-14-2011, 05:46 PM	#50
justtakingpics Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 288 Original Poster	Originally posted by Marc Sabatella Looking at the list of lenses you own, I'd dump most of the M42's in a heartbeat if that were the best way to fund a good portrait lens. Only the 50 or 55 would stay; the rest really just duplicate what you have in zooms. I thought I would dump all but the 50 so you have confirmed what I thought. Typically, at least in my research, the 50 1.4 lenses are more costly and good investments. This was just the 1.4 before that AF era but still a good lens. The 55 has sharp images, however. I have yet to decide. Thanks.