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10-11-2012, 09:55 PM   #1
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best portrait lens pentax ever made

What do you think is the best out and out made for portrait lens pentax has ever made for film or dslr. From the Taks to the Da"s.

Usual suspects -
Da*55/1.4
k85/1.8
77 Ltd
A*85/1.4
FA*85/1.4

I am sure there are more that can be added.

IMO the FA*85 for portraits is the best.

What do you think?

10-11-2012, 10:17 PM   #2
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I guess it depends what body you're using and what you're trying to achieve.

I'm thinking that the FA 645 120mm F4 and FA 645 150 2.8 will also do an awesome job
10-11-2012, 10:39 PM   #3
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I guess as kaiser mentioned it also depends if you are using a medium format, 35mm full frame (film/non-pentax) or cropped (digital) bodies
Curious why u never mentioned any Taks in the usual suspects I personally love the takumars, but maybe due to their razor sharp characteristics they aren't that suitable for portraits, only ones I can think of are the SMC Takumar 85mm 1.9's
50-55mm's work well on the cropped bodies too and they are capable of up to f1.2
10-11-2012, 10:45 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by kaiserz Quote
I guess it depends what body you're using and what you're trying to achieve.

I'm thinking that the FA 645 120mm F4 and FA 645 150 2.8 will also do an awesome job
Nice one. You are probably right but I wasn't thinking of MF or LF.

10-11-2012, 10:52 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by kneonx Quote
I guess as kaiser mentioned it also depends if you are using a medium format, 35mm full frame (film/non-pentax) or cropped (digital) bodies
Curious why u never mentioned any Taks in the usual suspects I personally love the takumars, but maybe due to their razor sharp characteristics they aren't that suitable for portraits, only ones I can think of are the SMC Takumar 85mm 1.9's
50-55mm's work well on the cropped bodies too and they are capable of up to f1.2
Yes I have read about tak's in other posts. Anyway I am just asking for opinions. I just added those few well known lenses to get the ball rolling
10-11-2012, 10:58 PM   #6
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I think your wrong, the only real answer is the A*135mm f/1.8
10-11-2012, 11:24 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by TOUGEFC Quote
I think your wrong, the only real answer is the A*135mm f/1.8
+ 1, followed as close 2nd the SMC Pentax-A* 85mm F1.4

10-12-2012, 12:01 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by TOUGEFC Quote
I think your wrong, the only real answer is the A*135mm f/1.8
You're pulling my leg.
10-12-2012, 12:04 AM   #9
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For APS-C, I hesitate to choose between Voigtländer Nokton 58mm f/1.4 and SMC Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited.

For FF, I would like to try the Tokina 90mm f/2.5 Macro, but I expect the shallower DOF of the above mentioned 85's will have it beat.

For 645, I do love the 150mm f/3.5.
10-12-2012, 12:22 AM   #10
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i adore 70mm f/2.4 for portraits. Could be faster (f/2.0 or even 1.8 would be superb), more DOF, however FOV is perfect to me for portraits, not too short, not too wide.
10-12-2012, 12:53 AM   #11
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Topace.
I have read good things about the voigtlanders and I have the 77Ltd but when I look at FA* images they seem to have a better subject separation and more of a 3d quality IMO. I have read that the 77Ltd is a better all round lens whereas the FA* is specifically optimised for portraits placing the subject at the front of the dof.

Last edited by everydaylife; 10-12-2012 at 01:00 AM.
10-12-2012, 01:00 AM   #12
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I had the DA 70 Ltd and the 77Ltd which came up for a good price. Mostly I couldn't tell the difference. The main reason I kept the 77 over the 70 was because of resale value.
10-12-2012, 01:02 AM   #13
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D FA 100/2.8 WR ? ... mine works well here for me ... J
10-12-2012, 01:12 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by everydaylife Quote
Topace.
I have read good things about the voigtlanders and I have the 77Ltd but when I look at FA* images they seem to have a better subject separation and more of a 3d quality IMO. I have read that the 77Ltd is a better all round lens whereas the FA* is specifically optimised for portraits placing the subject at the front of the dof.
Isn't 85 a bit long for portrait on APS-C? I do feel that 90 is.

I should perhaps try the DA * 55, though the SDM only thing scares me a bit.
10-12-2012, 01:58 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by topace Quote
- - - - - -

I should perhaps try the DA * 55, though the SDM only thing scares me a bit.
If SDM scares you, why not try the FA f/1.4 50mm? It may be somewhat weak in contrast at f/1.4 in a number of situations, but that's normally easily corrected for in the development / post-processing: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-sample-photo-archive/153127-pentax-f...ml#post2123764

Last edited by Stone G.; 10-12-2012 at 02:05 AM.
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