Recommended Lens for Pet Portraits

gabesgang · 08-09-2012, 11:02 AM

Hello all and thank you for taking the time to look at my thread. I'm a professional newspaper shoot who does tons of sports with my Pentax gear. However, I'm looking to start doing pet portraits - mainly natural light stuff of dogs beging dogs. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to a good lens for such a thing. Everything I have now, with the exception of a28-75 2.8 is long. Thanks

**Just1MoreDave** · 08-09-2012, 11:14 AM

The DA 10-17mm fisheye zoom will help you get a lot closer.

Pet size and interaction help decide focal length.

This thread has probably every possible lens, because when you get a new lens, the dog is right there:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/mini-challenges-games-photo-stories/14351...y-post-up.html

i83N · 08-09-2012, 11:17 AM

DA* 50-135mm for action shots

**TER-OR** · 08-09-2012, 11:30 AM

10-17 Fisheye is a great lens for pets. But for all around, and inexpensive zoom the 16-45 has been very reliable for me.
Fishy dogs:

loco · 08-09-2012, 12:37 PM - **1 Like**

DA 35/2.4, FA 77 and DA*55 work well for me. But I take cat portraits....

FA 77 Ltd

DA 35/2.4

DA *55

FA 77 Ltd

magkelly · 08-09-2012, 12:41 PM

I get my best pet shots with my 18-55 kit lens actually and most of the 50's I own. I occasionally will go a bit longer to 75mm but I find I don't really need it for pet shots. I like to get up close with my animals and I go down to their level. I get far better shots when I am within scritching and talking range.

kyteflyer · 08-09-2012, 12:50 PM - **1 Like**

Best shots I've had of my cat, and friends dogs, are with my FA43mm. I'd probably use a DA*55 if I had one, or an 85mm if I had one. Puts a bit of distance between me and the subject. With cats, at least, sometimes curiosity gets the better of them and they move at just the wrong moment

Here's Tom in glorious FA43mm colour

Blue · 08-09-2012, 01:08 PM - **1 Like**

Lenses with SP (Super Protect) coating.

zero86r · 08-09-2012, 01:46 PM

Depends on the pet, my guinea pigs are happy enough to sit relatively still while eating so my 50mm M does the trick, when they feel a bit more energetic I use a DA 35 2.4.

**Kerrowdown** · 08-09-2012, 02:42 PM

For me its in the 50mm, 85mm or 135mm range depending on the pet and the allowable working distances.

Watch the depth of field, stop down a good bit, especially with both dogs and horses, they seem to have real long faces.

SpecialK · 08-09-2012, 03:18 PM

Originally posted by gabesgang

Hello all and thank you for taking the time to look at my thread. I'm a professional newspaper shoot who does tons of sports with my Pentax gear. However, I'm looking to start doing pet portraits - mainly natural light stuff of dogs beging dogs. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to a good lens for such a thing. Everything I have now, with the exception of a28-75 2.8 is long. Thanks

I would suggest a (Tamron) 28-75 f2.8. Right focal length, excellent IQ, and you have it.

lytrytyr · 08-09-2012, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by gabesgang

Everything I have now, with the exception of a28-75 2.8 is long.

An old K24/2.8 will complement your longer lenses,
and won't be so expensive that you'll worry when it gets licked:

calculator01 · 08-09-2012, 07:40 PM

It's odd... because I was just pondering this the other day

I came to the conclusion that an 85 1.4 or the FA 77 would be the best cat lens for me

Maybe a DA 70 though...

Sagitta · 08-09-2012, 10:56 PM

Sears 50mm f/1.7, wide open.

She was sitting still, there would of been no way I would of been able to nail this if she was moving.

northcoastgreg · 08-10-2012, 07:33 AM

I suspect that a 28-75 f2.8 lens would be perfect for pet photography. In any case, unless I'm making imaginative pet shots with the DA 10-17, I rarely use focal lengths under 45mm for pets. My best results for pet photography are with the K 50/1.2 and the DFA 100/2.8 WR. I also sometimes use an F 70-210. Of course, it depends on the size of the animal and whether you're going for head shots or the entire critter.

08-09-2012, 11:02 AM	#1
gabesgang New Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9	Recommended Lens for Pet Portraits Hello all and thank you for taking the time to look at my thread. I'm a professional newspaper shoot who does tons of sports with my Pentax gear. However, I'm looking to start doing pet portraits - mainly natural light stuff of dogs beging dogs. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to a good lens for such a thing. Everything I have now, with the exception of a28-75 2.8 is long. Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Recommended lens for birding (beginners)?	raider	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	57	03-08-2012 04:48 AM
Recommended Lens For Birding & Wildlife?	seachunk2	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	55	07-22-2011 05:35 AM
Recommended grease for manual lens repair	whojammyflip	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	5	11-04-2010 09:21 AM
Recommended lens(es) for K20d	bessa66	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	9	06-13-2009 03:32 PM
Pet Portraits. My first commissioned work...	leadbelly	Post Your Photos!	37	04-09-2008 07:43 AM

08-09-2012, 11:14 AM	#2
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	The DA 10-17mm fisheye zoom will help you get a lot closer. Pet size and interaction help decide focal length. This thread has probably every possible lens, because when you get a new lens, the dog is right there: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/mini-challenges-games-photo-stories/14351...y-post-up.html

08-09-2012, 11:17 AM	#3
i83N Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lithuania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,203	DA* 50-135mm for action shots

08-09-2012, 11:30 AM	#4
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	10-17 Fisheye is a great lens for pets. But for all around, and inexpensive zoom the 16-45 has been very reliable for me. Fishy dogs:

08-09-2012, 12:37 PM - 1 Like	#5
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846	DA 35/2.4, FA 77 and DA55 work well for me. But I take cat portraits.... FA 77 Ltd DA 35/2.4 DA 55 FA 77 Ltd

08-09-2012, 12:41 PM	#6
magkelly Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,901	I get my best pet shots with my 18-55 kit lens actually and most of the 50's I own. I occasionally will go a bit longer to 75mm but I find I don't really need it for pet shots. I like to get up close with my animals and I go down to their level. I get far better shots when I am within scritching and talking range.

08-09-2012, 12:50 PM - 1 Like	#7
kyteflyer Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Newcastle, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,444	Best shots I've had of my cat, and friends dogs, are with my FA43mm. I'd probably use a DA*55 if I had one, or an 85mm if I had one. Puts a bit of distance between me and the subject. With cats, at least, sometimes curiosity gets the better of them and they move at just the wrong moment Here's Tom in glorious FA43mm colour

08-09-2012, 01:08 PM - 1 Like	#8
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Lenses with SP (Super Protect) coating.

08-09-2012, 01:46 PM	#9
zero86r Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Galway, Ireland. Photos: Gallery Posts: 104	Depends on the pet, my guinea pigs are happy enough to sit relatively still while eating so my 50mm M does the trick, when they feel a bit more energetic I use a DA 35 2.4.

08-09-2012, 02:42 PM	#10
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	For me its in the 50mm, 85mm or 135mm range depending on the pet and the allowable working distances. Watch the depth of field, stop down a good bit, especially with both dogs and horses, they seem to have real long faces.

08-09-2012, 03:18 PM	#11
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Originally posted by gabesgang Hello all and thank you for taking the time to look at my thread. I'm a professional newspaper shoot who does tons of sports with my Pentax gear. However, I'm looking to start doing pet portraits - mainly natural light stuff of dogs beging dogs. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to a good lens for such a thing. Everything I have now, with the exception of a28-75 2.8 is long. Thanks I would suggest a (Tamron) 28-75 f2.8. Right focal length, excellent IQ, and you have it.

08-09-2012, 05:20 PM	#12
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by gabesgang Everything I have now, with the exception of a28-75 2.8 is long. An old K24/2.8 will complement your longer lenses, and won't be so expensive that you'll worry when it gets licked:

08-09-2012, 07:40 PM	#13
calculator01 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 817	It's odd... because I was just pondering this the other day I came to the conclusion that an 85 1.4 or the FA 77 would be the best cat lens for me Maybe a DA 70 though...

08-09-2012, 10:56 PM	#14
Sagitta Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,081	Sears 50mm f/1.7, wide open. She was sitting still, there would of been no way I would of been able to nail this if she was moving.

08-10-2012, 07:33 AM	#15
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,173	I suspect that a 28-75 f2.8 lens would be perfect for pet photography. In any case, unless I'm making imaginative pet shots with the DA 10-17, I rarely use focal lengths under 45mm for pets. My best results for pet photography are with the K 50/1.2 and the DFA 100/2.8 WR. I also sometimes use an F 70-210. Of course, it depends on the size of the animal and whether you're going for head shots or the entire critter.