[pinholecam]

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Its really hard to point to any one lens as the best portrait lens.
The FA*80-200/2.8; 200/2.8, can be rated 'best' to me as well, but the working distance may be a bit too far.
FA77ltd and 43ltd are 'best' if there is a lack of working distance.
Some folks take into account the price paid for the lens, which confuses the answer even more.


If I have to pick from the ones I've used, then it would be the FA*85.
AF, fast aperture, sharp, fantastic bokeh, reasonable working distance, 'cheap' too considering its 2nd hand price vs new Canikon options.
There are others, including the K135; A135/1.8; A85/1.4; M85/2; etc, but they are MF.

[photocanadian]

Too much choice - The unspoken beauty of the Pentax system

Its really hard to point to any one lens as the best portrait lens.
The FA*80-200/2.8; 200/2.8, can be rated 'best' to me as well, but the working distance may be a bit too far.
FA77ltd and 43ltd are 'best' if there is a lack of working distance.
Some folks take into account the price paid for the lens, which confuses the answer even more.


If I have to pick from the ones I've used, then it would be the FA*85.
AF, fast aperture, sharp, fantastic bokeh, reasonable working distance, 'cheap' too considering its 2nd hand price vs new Canikon options.
There are others, including the K135; A135/1.8; A85/1.4; M85/2; etc, but they are MF.

[Designosophy]

Has anyone mentioned the FA* 28-70 f/2.8? A number of the reviews mention its utility as a portrait lens, and it's pretty versatile beyond portraits.
Pentax-FA* 28-70mm F2.8 AL Reviews - FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

[RonHendriks1966]

Well I have DA*55 and FA*85 and both are amazing in their own way.

[DirkG]

If French is not a problem, have a look at Test_85mm. It's an extensive comparison of seven portrait lenses, including FA* 85/1.4, A* 85/1.4, FA 77/1.8 Ltd, and DA* 50-135/2.8.

[Kerrowdown]

As I get older

I'm liking my more and more my SMC Pentax-A* 135mm F1.8 for portrait work, I'm guessing that there is a style change in my photography over time and this is the cause.

[Spotmatic]

No, it won't quite make it... it won't on my Olympus gear either... I may try shopping a new M39-42 adapter... Thanks!

Are you using a genuine Pentax adapter? As far a the best portrait lens....I think lighting is more important than the lens...especially if the subject is a woman.

[DanielT74]

If French is not a problem, have a look at Test_85mm. It's an extensive comparison of seven portrait lenses, including FA* 85/1.4, A* 85/1.4, FA 77/1.8 Ltd, and DA* 50-135/2.8.

Their 77ltd looked bad. Must've been misfocused or a bad sample.

[ronpyke]

Are you using a genuine Pentax adapter? As far a the best portrait lens....I think lighting is more important than the lens...especially if the subject is a woman.

Yes, it is an original Pentax adapter, but, the M39 - M42 adapter may have a bit of a suspicious pedigree...

[ronpyke]

The best lens is the lens you use. The worst is the lens you don't use. The best portrait lens is whatever you are using for portraits -- depending on how you define 'portrait'. Portraiture is about portraying a persona, not just framing a face photographically.

And the lens is less important than *how* you use it, and where. I shoot 'portraits' at focal lengths between 10-500mm, at distances between 30cm-50m, depending. Shooting portraits at a Mafiya funeral, I'd use a 1000mm mirror from about 200m away, thanks!

Formal headshots: I prefer a Schneider Comporon 75/4.5 on extension, or a Jupiter-11 or Nikkor 85/2. For 3/4 body shots, FA50/1.4 or Petri CC 55/1.8. Context shots: Zenitar 16/2.8 or Kiron 24/2. For couples, the SuperTak 35/3.5. For just eyes, the SuperTak 135/3.5.

And for a general portrait-people zoom, an old M42 Sears-Tokina 55-135/3.5 can't be beat. But what's the best portrait lens ever? It's like when a medic asks me, "Are you allergic to any drugs?" My answer: I dunno, I haven't tried them all yet. Your mileage may vary.

Point well taken! I pass along this same message often myself... I was looking for opinions on Pentax lenses.

I quite like my Helios, but I also quite like my Carsen 135, f 3.2, a lens that can be had for a few bucks (Euros, Pounds, etc) and I have a Soligor 35mm that does stunning things in any kind of indirect light...

I haven't tried them all yet, but I'm doing my level best!

[Caat]

The K-135mm has been mentioned many times as a great portrait lens. It's an astonishing lens in many way but I find it way too long for portraits - but that's partly a preference thing I guess

[Designosophy]

As I get older

I'm liking my more and more my SMC Pentax-A* 135mm F1.8 for portrait work, I'm guessing that there is a style change in my photography over time and this is the cause.

I'd love that lens. I've also been sorely tempted by this:

Porst 135mm 1.8 Ultra Fast Teleportrait lens Pentax K | eBay

[whojammyflip]

I lived with the 85mm and 100mm M series lenses side by side in my camera bag for a few months....the M 100mm won out. I think its a great lens.

[DanielT74]

It would be nice to see some samples from what people think are "best portrait lenses".

Here's a few from an underdog - Helios, which to me goes to show how important the skill and the light are to making a good image:

http://oly43club.ru/forum/uploads/1187043965/gallery_6_20_16237.jpg

http://www.3dpanorama.ru/friends/3.jpg

http://album.foto.ru:8080/photos/or/187573/315130.jpg

[Ash]

There are lots of examples already, particularly in this thread: Post your Prime Portraits - PentaxForums.com

... but also in the individual class of lens clubs and lens photo sample archives on the forum...