If only ONE portrait lens, which one?

**EsBee** · 06-15-2011, 03:20 PM

All these wonderful portraits are making me want to take out my 43, which would be my choice, slightly ahead of the 77.

DaveHolmes · 06-15-2011, 04:36 PM

Just to be clear... Are we all agreeing that an FA50-1.4 make a good (or at least adequate) portrait lens; for both head and shoulders and full body portraits on a K-x or other cropped sensor, Pentax made DSLR???

Sometimes I find that all the talk of full-frame-blah-blah versus cropped-sensor-blah-burp just confuses the original issue and stops simple questions from actually being answered without a degree in quantum mathematics... (or some other form of mathematics that equally eludes me...)

Sorry minor gripe... bad day... Hoped for more practical advice regarding mhaws (OP) second post is all, as he stated that he already owns an FA50 but all I saw was comparissons of 50-vs-77 on FF-vs-CrpSensor blah blah.

jstevewhite · 06-15-2011, 04:47 PM

Originally posted by DaveHolmes

Just to be clear... Are we all agreeing that an FA50-1.4 make a good (or at least adequate) portrait lens; for both head and shoulders and full body portraits on a K-x or other cropped sensor, Pentax made DSLR???

Sometimes I find that all the talk of full-frame-blah-blah versus cropped-sensor-blah-burp just confuses the original issue and stops simple questions from actually being answered without a degree in quantum mathematics... (or some other form of mathematics that equally eludes me...)

Sorry minor gripe... bad day... Hoped for more practical advice regarding mhaws (OP) second post is all, as he stated that he already owns an FA50 but all I saw was comparissons of 50-vs-77 on FF-vs-CrpSensor blah blah.

I think 50mm is adequate. It's a little short; I prefer the 55mm fl, and just returned my FA43 (which I will replace with a DA*55 once Amazon credits me the money); but the FA 50mm 1.4 is a good lens no matter how you slice it and dice it, and should be more than adequate for such portraits if 50mm is a FL that works with you.

edit: FOr the record, I sold a DA70mm because it was too long for much of what I do, portrait wise.

DaveHolmes · 06-15-2011, 04:51 PM

Originally posted by DaveHolmes

Sorry minor gripe... bad day... Hoped for more practical advice regarding mhaws (OP) second post is all, as he stated that he already owns an FA50 but all I saw was comparissons of 50-vs-77 on FF-vs-CrpSensor blah blah

Sorry should have added that he was having trouble creating oof/bokeh'd backgrounds

twitch · 06-15-2011, 04:51 PM

My FA77 is my new favourite for portraits, sorry DA70 & DA*50-135.

paperbag846 · 06-15-2011, 05:16 PM

Originally posted by DaveHolmes

Sorry should have added that he was having trouble creating oof/bokeh'd backgrounds

Long focal lengths allow you to throw the background out of focus at a smaller aperture.

E.g., 50mm at f2 = 77 at f2.8 (or something like that).

Therefore, if the 50mm is a little soft at f2, the FA 77 will appear to have better subject isolation than the 50mm.

Or something like that. I personally find the 77 too long unless I am in a studio or outdoors, and prefer the flexibility afforded by a 50mm or 55mm on a crop sensor.

No quantum mechanics required

.

GeneV · 06-15-2011, 06:01 PM

Originally posted by twitch

My FA77 is my new favourite for portraits, sorry DA70 & DA*50-135.

Agreed. That is my favorite for portraits. If I want to use it in smaller spaces, I'll shoot with it on film.

zackspeed · 06-15-2011, 06:05 PM

Never wanna miss my FA*85

henryjing · 06-15-2011, 06:50 PM

FA 77, much smaller. Very Portable.

**dadipentak** · 06-15-2011, 06:59 PM

Originally posted by Todd Adamson

Focal length is a personal thing

Certainly true! I'm on the long end--my current favorite is the A* 135mm. But, of course, I'm an amateur and what I'm after are candid shots where the subject is oblivious to the camera.

Docrwm · 06-15-2011, 07:08 PM

Funny, I've tried to use longer lengths to shoot portraits and just don't like the distance from the subject and other aspects. The FA50/1.4 is very nice for this but I just got a DA35/2.4 because I find myself wanting to be even closer to the subject. Was practicing with it today with my daughter and it is far more intimate in use than anything at the 75+ length. Don't have a degree in Sensation and Perception Psychology or Optics but do know what I like and how the relationship with the subject can profoundly influence what you capture.

DogLover · 06-15-2011, 07:12 PM

Most portrait work for me is outdoors, whether it's human or animal, so the 77 is always my first choice. It just never fails to delight me. But sometimes there are extenuating circumstances, so I will switch to either the DA*55 or the 43. And of course, sometimes it's just about whatever one of those three I happen to have with me.

RioRico · 06-15-2011, 08:57 PM

I may have mentioned this before.

1) Almost any lens can produce shots that portray personages. (Florals and cat-heads can be portraits too.) The appropriate characteristics depends on desired context, distances, lighting, etc.

2) The term 'portrait' can cover everything from group or full-body shots down to individual eyes or even fingers. (A famous portrait of Pablo Casals shows just his fingers on the cello neck.) So asking for the best "portrait lens" is like asking for the "best" hammer. In what application? To pound what?

3) 'Portrait' also sloppily includes formal sittings, impromptus, stealth / surveillance shots, etc. All these approaches may require very different lenses. (I'll shoot 'portraits' at a Mafiya funeral with a 1000mm mirror from a safe distance, thanks.) So, define what kind of portraiture you want.

The ambiguity of the question "If only one portrait lens, which?" produces the wide range of answers seen here. Many types of portraits are possible; thus, many varied lenses are appropriate. So the correct answer is: DING! WRONG QUESTION!

Marc Sabatella · 06-15-2011, 09:03 PM

Originally posted by DaveHolmes

Just to be clear... Are we all agreeing that an FA50-1.4 make a good (or at least adequate) portrait lens

Barely sort of adequate if you already have one in my opinion, definitely not worth spending money on because it's just too short for me. Others like the focal length.

Quote:

Sometimes I find that all the talk of full-frame-blah-blah versus cropped-sensor-blah-burp just confuses the original issue and stops simple questions from actually being answered without a degree in quantum mathematics...

Just because you weren't interested in the answer to the question someone asked about this doesn't mean you need to cop an attitude about it. Some people like to understand things.

DanielT74 · 06-15-2011, 09:04 PM

Lots of lenses can be used to shoot great portraits of course, but I fell in love with the A*85/1.4 just after I sold it

I used it a lot in the week-end before posting it and jeez, the images just pop out of the frame!

06-15-2011, 04:36 PM	#62
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	Just to be clear... Are we all agreeing that an FA50-1.4 make a good (or at least adequate) portrait lens; for both head and shoulders and full body portraits on a K-x or other cropped sensor, Pentax made DSLR??? Sometimes I find that all the talk of full-frame-blah-blah versus cropped-sensor-blah-burp just confuses the original issue and stops simple questions from actually being answered without a degree in quantum mathematics... (or some other form of mathematics that equally eludes me...) Sorry minor gripe... bad day... Hoped for more practical advice regarding mhaws (OP) second post is all, as he stated that he already owns an FA50 but all I saw was comparissons of 50-vs-77 on FF-vs-CrpSensor blah blah. Last edited by DaveHolmes; 06-15-2011 at 04:38 PM. Reason: sentance structuring

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06-15-2011, 03:20 PM	#61
EsBee Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: National Capital Region Posts: 739	All these wonderful portraits are making me want to take out my 43, which would be my choice, slightly ahead of the 77.

06-15-2011, 04:47 PM	#63
jstevewhite Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Midwest Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,407	Originally posted by DaveHolmes Just to be clear... Are we all agreeing that an FA50-1.4 make a good (or at least adequate) portrait lens; for both head and shoulders and full body portraits on a K-x or other cropped sensor, Pentax made DSLR??? Sometimes I find that all the talk of full-frame-blah-blah versus cropped-sensor-blah-burp just confuses the original issue and stops simple questions from actually being answered without a degree in quantum mathematics... (or some other form of mathematics that equally eludes me...) Sorry minor gripe... bad day... Hoped for more practical advice regarding mhaws (OP) second post is all, as he stated that he already owns an FA50 but all I saw was comparissons of 50-vs-77 on FF-vs-CrpSensor blah blah. I think 50mm is adequate. It's a little short; I prefer the 55mm fl, and just returned my FA43 (which I will replace with a DA*55 once Amazon credits me the money); but the FA 50mm 1.4 is a good lens no matter how you slice it and dice it, and should be more than adequate for such portraits if 50mm is a FL that works with you. edit: FOr the record, I sold a DA70mm because it was too long for much of what I do, portrait wise.

06-15-2011, 04:51 PM	#64
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	Originally posted by DaveHolmes Sorry minor gripe... bad day... Hoped for more practical advice regarding mhaws (OP) second post is all, as he stated that he already owns an FA50 but all I saw was comparissons of 50-vs-77 on FF-vs-CrpSensor blah blah Sorry should have added that he was having trouble creating oof/bokeh'd backgrounds

06-15-2011, 04:51 PM	#65
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	My FA77 is my new favourite for portraits, sorry DA70 & DA*50-135.

06-15-2011, 05:16 PM	#66
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by DaveHolmes Sorry should have added that he was having trouble creating oof/bokeh'd backgrounds Long focal lengths allow you to throw the background out of focus at a smaller aperture. E.g., 50mm at f2 = 77 at f2.8 (or something like that). Therefore, if the 50mm is a little soft at f2, the FA 77 will appear to have better subject isolation than the 50mm. Or something like that. I personally find the 77 too long unless I am in a studio or outdoors, and prefer the flexibility afforded by a 50mm or 55mm on a crop sensor. No quantum mechanics required .

06-15-2011, 06:01 PM	#67
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by twitch My FA77 is my new favourite for portraits, sorry DA70 & DA*50-135. Agreed. That is my favorite for portraits. If I want to use it in smaller spaces, I'll shoot with it on film.

06-15-2011, 06:05 PM	#68
zackspeed Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 527	Never wanna miss my FA*85

06-15-2011, 06:50 PM	#69
henryjing Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: United States Posts: 467	FA 77, much smaller. Very Portable.

06-15-2011, 06:59 PM	#70
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by Todd Adamson Focal length is a personal thing Certainly true! I'm on the long end--my current favorite is the A* 135mm. But, of course, I'm an amateur and what I'm after are candid shots where the subject is oblivious to the camera.

06-15-2011, 07:08 PM	#71
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Funny, I've tried to use longer lengths to shoot portraits and just don't like the distance from the subject and other aspects. The FA50/1.4 is very nice for this but I just got a DA35/2.4 because I find myself wanting to be even closer to the subject. Was practicing with it today with my daughter and it is far more intimate in use than anything at the 75+ length. Don't have a degree in Sensation and Perception Psychology or Optics but do know what I like and how the relationship with the subject can profoundly influence what you capture.

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06-15-2011, 07:12 PM	#72
DogLover Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,054	Most portrait work for me is outdoors, whether it's human or animal, so the 77 is always my first choice. It just never fails to delight me. But sometimes there are extenuating circumstances, so I will switch to either the DA*55 or the 43. And of course, sometimes it's just about whatever one of those three I happen to have with me.

06-15-2011, 08:57 PM	#73
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	I may have mentioned this before. 1) Almost any lens can produce shots that portray personages. (Florals and cat-heads can be portraits too.) The appropriate characteristics depends on desired context, distances, lighting, etc. 2) The term 'portrait' can cover everything from group or full-body shots down to individual eyes or even fingers. (A famous portrait of Pablo Casals shows just his fingers on the cello neck.) So asking for the best "portrait lens" is like asking for the "best" hammer. In what application? To pound what? 3) 'Portrait' also sloppily includes formal sittings, impromptus, stealth / surveillance shots, etc. All these approaches may require very different lenses. (I'll shoot 'portraits' at a Mafiya funeral with a 1000mm mirror from a safe distance, thanks.) So, define what kind of portraiture you want. The ambiguity of the question "If only one portrait lens, which?" produces the wide range of answers seen here. Many types of portraits are possible; thus, many varied lenses are appropriate. So the correct answer is: DING! WRONG QUESTION!

06-15-2011, 09:03 PM	#74
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by DaveHolmes Just to be clear... Are we all agreeing that an FA50-1.4 make a good (or at least adequate) portrait lens Barely sort of adequate if you already have one in my opinion, definitely not worth spending money on because it's just too short for me. Others like the focal length. Quote: Sometimes I find that all the talk of full-frame-blah-blah versus cropped-sensor-blah-burp just confuses the original issue and stops simple questions from actually being answered without a degree in quantum mathematics... Just because you weren't interested in the answer to the question someone asked about this doesn't mean you need to cop an attitude about it. Some people like to understand things.

06-15-2011, 09:04 PM	#75
DanielT74 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,377	Lots of lenses can be used to shoot great portraits of course, but I fell in love with the A*85/1.4 just after I sold it I used it a lot in the week-end before posting it and jeez, the images just pop out of the frame!