Fa 50 for da35 and da70

Ryan83 · 07-28-2011, 06:21 AM

Should I sell da35/2.4 and da70 and get the fa50/1.4 and f2.8 zoom lens.
Mostly I take cosplay events, family and friend outings.
Could fa50 be good replacement for both lens?
I think I might be able to shoot shoulder and half body shots with fa50 with few steps movement rather than changing 35 and 70.

**Rondec** · 07-28-2011, 06:34 AM

This is more of a focal length question. Do you like the 50mm focal length? It is very nice for portrait type shots -- face, head and shoulders. The FA 50 will be a little softer on the edges than the DA 70, but still quite sharp in the center throughout (probably desirable in a portrait lens).

I would have a lot harder time switching the DA 35 out for FA 50, since it is often easier to take a couple of steps in then a couple of steps out. Still, you would probably do well with the Tamron 17-50 f2.8. Once again, bigger, not quite as sharp wide open as the DA 35, but a very nice lens and more flexible for your uses.

kenafein · 07-28-2011, 06:59 AM

Don't you want to take full body shots of the costumes. I think you should get the Tamron 28-75 2.8. It gives you the range from full body to portrait and the quality is excellent. Pick up a cheap m50 1.7 if you want something faster.

Docrwm · 07-28-2011, 07:08 AM

I own both the DA35 and FA50/1.4. I use the FA50 for very low light or high speed + poor light situations. I find it useful for my son's indoor basketball for instance where the rec league lighting stinks. I do not find it particularly useful for candids inside at all because its too close. I bought the DA35 or indoor candids and find it excellent for that purpose. I am also using my M28/2.8 and Tamron 10-24 for that purpose. I do not think I could use the FA50 and get the same shots that I get with the wider lenses.

icywindow · 07-28-2011, 07:50 AM

I do some of the same sort of shooting as you, and I have used the da 70 (and Samyang 85 1.4 for that matter) for a while for that kind of work. It takes great head-shot cosplay photos, but it's a bit too long for costumes. I've found that 28mm is a great general range for that on APS-C, but I've even found that it doesn't always capture the whole happening in the confines of space which you have when walking around (often times you can only get 3 feet between you and the cosplayer in a crowd, assuming you're at a convention). I've seen great closer photos in the wider range, I'd love something like da* 16-50 for pretty much all of the walkaround stuff that one would do in that regard.

Blue · 07-28-2011, 08:16 AM

The DA 35/Ltd and DA 70 Ltd would be a good setup. I would want to keep the FA 50/1.4 though.

Over the past few years I have created a basic AF digital line up like this:

DA 21 ltd, DA 35 ltd, FA 50/1.4, FA 77/1.8 ltd, D FA 100mm/2.8 WR macro, DA * 300mm/4

I also have a DA 40 ltd and DA 18-55mm as alternative lenses for special situations. The 100 is my most recent lens and it will ultimately replace my faithful and reliable Sigma 105mm EX DG macro. This doesn't include a plethora of manual focus glass. The point I am making is you are on the right track for what worked for me. Everyone is a little different. But a DA 35/DA 70 is a good starting point so if I were in your situation, I would just add the DA 70mm Ltd and later sell the DA 35/2.4 and get the DA 35 LTD, OR Keep it and add either a DA 15 or 21 LTD. I didn't get to my situation in 6 months or a year.

kenafein · 07-28-2011, 08:24 AM

Originally posted by Blue

The DA 35/Ltd and DA 70 Ltd would be a good setup. I would want to keep the FA 50/1.4 though.

Over the past few years I have created a basic AF digital line up like this:

DA 21 ltd, DA 35 ltd, FA 50/1.4, FA 77/1.8 ltd, D FA 100mm/2.8 WR macro, DA * 300mm/4

I also have a DA 40 ltd and DA 18-55mm as alternative lenses for special situations. The 100 is my most recent lens and it will ultimately replace my faithful and reliable Sigma 105mm EX DG macro. This doesn't include a plethora of manual focus glass. The point I am making is you are on the right track for what worked for me. Everyone is a little different. But a DA 35/DA 70 is a good starting point so if I were in your situation, I would just add the DA 70mm Ltd and later sell the DA 35/2.4 and get the DA 35 LTD, OR Keep it and add either a DA 15 or 21 LTD. I didn't get to my situation in 6 months or a year.

I think in this case the OP wanted to go with fewer lenses, crazy I know

paperbag846 · 07-28-2011, 08:31 AM

Originally posted by Ryan83

Could fa50 be good replacement for both lens?

Yes, assuming that your f2.8 zoom lens covers the 35mm and 70mm ranges. The 50 will be able to do most portrait type work that the 70 can do, but not the headshots that the 70 can do.

Blue · 07-28-2011, 08:39 AM

Originally posted by kenafein

I think in this case the OP wanted to go with fewer lenses, crazy I know

You are right, I read that backwards.

elho_cid · 07-28-2011, 10:43 AM

Originally posted by Blue

You are right, I read that backwards.

Of course, because that way it makes sense.

To OP: Get the FA50 and then decide, if you can use it as a replacement for the other two. My bet is no, it won't work. How about getting a second body if you dont wan't to swap the lenses?

Ryan83 · 07-28-2011, 06:10 PM

i think i will get the fa50 first then decide which one to sell.
i have da15mm for landscape but never try it for full body shot at cosplay.
i really love the sharpness and IQ of the da70 and will have to see how the fa50 perform compare to da70

Ryan83 · 07-28-2011, 06:16 PM

my recent shots with da35 and da70.

DA 35 @ f5.6

DA70@5.6

with few steps back and front, is it possible to take similar shots with fa50 ??

Docrwm · 07-28-2011, 06:28 PM

Nice shots. If you have the room to step back - yes. But, indoors you often do not have that luxury in my experience. The FA then becomes more like the 70 in your pictures and you do not capture enough of the subject. Please don't get me wrong, I am a big advocate for the FA50/1.4 with a hood. Its a great lens but its not a great indoor candid lens for anything more than bust shots IMHO. If you want broader views its not going to substitute except in large rooms where you can zoom with your feet.

Ryan83 · 07-28-2011, 06:42 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

Nice shots. If you have the room to step back - yes. But, indoors you often do not have that luxury in my experience. The FA then becomes more like the 70 in your pictures and you do not capture enough of the subject. Please don't get me wrong, I am a big advocate for the FA50/1.4 with a hood. Its a great lens but its not a great indoor candid lens for anything more than bust shots IMHO. If you want broader views its not going to substitute except in large rooms where you can zoom with your feet.

actually i was pretty close to the model for that above head shot.. most of the time my da70 shots are half body like this one below.

btw, is there anyway i could prevent that shadow when shooting with external flash mounted on hot shoe??

DA70 @ f5.6

twitch · 07-28-2011, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by Ryan83

btw, is there anyway i could prevent that shadow when shooting with external flash mounted on hot shoe??

DA70 @ f5.6

Yes; bounce the flash off a wall, and change your ISO/shutter/aperture to let in more ambient light.

07-28-2011, 06:21 AM	#1
Ryan83 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 44	Fa 50 for da35 and da70 Should I sell da35/2.4 and da70 and get the fa50/1.4 and f2.8 zoom lens. Mostly I take cosplay events, family and friend outings. Could fa50 be good replacement for both lens? I think I might be able to shoot shoulder and half body shots with fa50 with few steps movement rather than changing 35 and 70.

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07-28-2011, 06:34 AM	#2
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	This is more of a focal length question. Do you like the 50mm focal length? It is very nice for portrait type shots -- face, head and shoulders. The FA 50 will be a little softer on the edges than the DA 70, but still quite sharp in the center throughout (probably desirable in a portrait lens). I would have a lot harder time switching the DA 35 out for FA 50, since it is often easier to take a couple of steps in then a couple of steps out. Still, you would probably do well with the Tamron 17-50 f2.8. Once again, bigger, not quite as sharp wide open as the DA 35, but a very nice lens and more flexible for your uses.

07-28-2011, 06:59 AM	#3
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	Don't you want to take full body shots of the costumes. I think you should get the Tamron 28-75 2.8. It gives you the range from full body to portrait and the quality is excellent. Pick up a cheap m50 1.7 if you want something faster.

07-28-2011, 07:08 AM	#4
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	I own both the DA35 and FA50/1.4. I use the FA50 for very low light or high speed + poor light situations. I find it useful for my son's indoor basketball for instance where the rec league lighting stinks. I do not find it particularly useful for candids inside at all because its too close. I bought the DA35 or indoor candids and find it excellent for that purpose. I am also using my M28/2.8 and Tamron 10-24 for that purpose. I do not think I could use the FA50 and get the same shots that I get with the wider lenses.

07-28-2011, 07:50 AM	#5
icywindow Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 303	I do some of the same sort of shooting as you, and I have used the da 70 (and Samyang 85 1.4 for that matter) for a while for that kind of work. It takes great head-shot cosplay photos, but it's a bit too long for costumes. I've found that 28mm is a great general range for that on APS-C, but I've even found that it doesn't always capture the whole happening in the confines of space which you have when walking around (often times you can only get 3 feet between you and the cosplayer in a crowd, assuming you're at a convention). I've seen great closer photos in the wider range, I'd love something like da* 16-50 for pretty much all of the walkaround stuff that one would do in that regard.

07-28-2011, 08:16 AM	#6
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	The DA 35/Ltd and DA 70 Ltd would be a good setup. I would want to keep the FA 50/1.4 though. Over the past few years I have created a basic AF digital line up like this: DA 21 ltd, DA 35 ltd, FA 50/1.4, FA 77/1.8 ltd, D FA 100mm/2.8 WR macro, DA * 300mm/4 I also have a DA 40 ltd and DA 18-55mm as alternative lenses for special situations. The 100 is my most recent lens and it will ultimately replace my faithful and reliable Sigma 105mm EX DG macro. This doesn't include a plethora of manual focus glass. The point I am making is you are on the right track for what worked for me. Everyone is a little different. But a DA 35/DA 70 is a good starting point so if I were in your situation, I would just add the DA 70mm Ltd and later sell the DA 35/2.4 and get the DA 35 LTD, OR Keep it and add either a DA 15 or 21 LTD. I didn't get to my situation in 6 months or a year.

07-28-2011, 08:24 AM	#7
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	Originally posted by Blue The DA 35/Ltd and DA 70 Ltd would be a good setup. I would want to keep the FA 50/1.4 though. Over the past few years I have created a basic AF digital line up like this: DA 21 ltd, DA 35 ltd, FA 50/1.4, FA 77/1.8 ltd, D FA 100mm/2.8 WR macro, DA * 300mm/4 I also have a DA 40 ltd and DA 18-55mm as alternative lenses for special situations. The 100 is my most recent lens and it will ultimately replace my faithful and reliable Sigma 105mm EX DG macro. This doesn't include a plethora of manual focus glass. The point I am making is you are on the right track for what worked for me. Everyone is a little different. But a DA 35/DA 70 is a good starting point so if I were in your situation, I would just add the DA 70mm Ltd and later sell the DA 35/2.4 and get the DA 35 LTD, OR Keep it and add either a DA 15 or 21 LTD. I didn't get to my situation in 6 months or a year. I think in this case the OP wanted to go with fewer lenses, crazy I know

07-28-2011, 08:31 AM	#8
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by Ryan83 Could fa50 be good replacement for both lens? Yes, assuming that your f2.8 zoom lens covers the 35mm and 70mm ranges. The 50 will be able to do most portrait type work that the 70 can do, but not the headshots that the 70 can do.

07-28-2011, 08:39 AM	#9
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by kenafein I think in this case the OP wanted to go with fewer lenses, crazy I know You are right, I read that backwards.

07-28-2011, 10:43 AM	#10
elho_cid Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	Originally posted by Blue You are right, I read that backwards. Of course, because that way it makes sense. To OP: Get the FA50 and then decide, if you can use it as a replacement for the other two. My bet is no, it won't work. How about getting a second body if you dont wan't to swap the lenses?

07-28-2011, 06:10 PM	#11
Ryan83 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 44 Original Poster	i think i will get the fa50 first then decide which one to sell. i have da15mm for landscape but never try it for full body shot at cosplay. i really love the sharpness and IQ of the da70 and will have to see how the fa50 perform compare to da70

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07-28-2011, 06:16 PM	#12
Ryan83 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 44 Original Poster	my recent shots with da35 and da70. DA 35 @ f5.6 DA70@5.6 with few steps back and front, is it possible to take similar shots with fa50 ??

07-28-2011, 06:28 PM	#13
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Nice shots. If you have the room to step back - yes. But, indoors you often do not have that luxury in my experience. The FA then becomes more like the 70 in your pictures and you do not capture enough of the subject. Please don't get me wrong, I am a big advocate for the FA50/1.4 with a hood. Its a great lens but its not a great indoor candid lens for anything more than bust shots IMHO. If you want broader views its not going to substitute except in large rooms where you can zoom with your feet.

07-28-2011, 06:42 PM	#14
Ryan83 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 44 Original Poster	Originally posted by Docrwm Nice shots. If you have the room to step back - yes. But, indoors you often do not have that luxury in my experience. The FA then becomes more like the 70 in your pictures and you do not capture enough of the subject. Please don't get me wrong, I am a big advocate for the FA50/1.4 with a hood. Its a great lens but its not a great indoor candid lens for anything more than bust shots IMHO. If you want broader views its not going to substitute except in large rooms where you can zoom with your feet. actually i was pretty close to the model for that above head shot.. most of the time my da70 shots are half body like this one below. btw, is there anyway i could prevent that shadow when shooting with external flash mounted on hot shoe?? DA70 @ f5.6

07-28-2011, 06:48 PM	#15
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by Ryan83 btw, is there anyway i could prevent that shadow when shooting with external flash mounted on hot shoe?? DA70 @ f5.6 Yes; bounce the flash off a wall, and change your ISO/shutter/aperture to let in more ambient light.