Wanting to by a new lens, stuck on which one?

sarahparish91 · 12-30-2012, 09:00 PM

Hi, I am wanting to buy another lens (currently have Sigma 50mm 1.4) but I'm wanting something longer. I mostly take photos of my kids. I am not sure if I should get the Pentax 77mm 1.8, the Sigma 85 1.4 or the Tamron 90mm 2.8 di macro. The Tamron is about half the price of the other 2 lenses, price doesn't matter too much, but it will just take me a little bit longer to save up for either of the other 2. Should I wait and save up for either the 77mm or 85mm? If so, which do you recommend? I really like how much lighter the 77mm is..

Vindemiatrix · 12-30-2012, 09:25 PM

Can I recomend you the d fa 100 wr... if you want something longer and lighter this is an amazing lens. Super sharp not as expensive as the others, I love it for portraits AND you get the amazing macro!!! I don't think the autofocus is a problem, I find it great, and manual focus is a dream.

I bought mine second hand here for about $530

SpecialK · 12-30-2012, 09:45 PM

I'd choose the Tamron 90 out of your list. The Pentax 55-300 might be good for kids though it is slower.

Primes4ever · 12-30-2012, 10:00 PM

I would suggest a 100mm macro and I personally prefer the Pentax versions for size and build. I had the Tamron at one time, good IQ but personally prefer the ergonomics of the Pentax DFA 100 that I have. For shorter focal length consider the 70 Limited, good price and size, excellent IQ.

**Eric Auer** · 12-30-2012, 10:06 PM

If you are cool with Manual Focus only the Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF Lens Reviews - Samyang Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database ......

Vindemiatrix · 12-30-2012, 10:22 PM

2 votes for d fa 100 ! is an amazinggg lens.

cmohr · 12-30-2012, 11:12 PM

If you have the Sigma 50/1.4, the 85/1.4 would be a good matching set, The Pentax 77/1.8 is a fantastic lens from what I've seen, but as so other s have said, the Pentax DFA100/2.8 can be found at very good 2nd hand prices, is sharp as sharp things, and is a really easy to use lenses with its Quickshift.

kaiserz · 12-30-2012, 11:24 PM

I never owned the DFA100. But I did had a chance to try it before. And let me tell you it's sharp! and the quickshift is always a good thing in my book. (too bad it's not my focal length and the price for a broke college is too much...)

excanonfd · 12-30-2012, 11:49 PM

For the price of a used DFA100 you can buy a brand new Tamron 90/2.8 macro and have change left over with a good long warranty vs non-transferable (read non-existent) warranty. IQ of the Tamron is as good as or better than the DFA100. Quickshift, depress the lens release button with your right ring finger to disengage the AF screw drive coupling, there's your QS.

hcc · 12-30-2012, 11:54 PM

I am a K-7 user, and have the Tamron 90mm f2.8 and CZ85mm f1.4. I do not use at all the Tamron. Why? I do not 'connect' with the Tammy, and I love the CZ85mm f1.4, a much faster lens with nicer IQ IMHO.

From your list, I would go fo the FA77mm f1.8 by far ahead of all the others. The Sigma is nice 'on paper', but it is heavy. I value a lighter lens like the FA77mm and you will feel the differences even more with a light dSLR like your K-r.

My 5 cents, hoping that it may help.

RubyT · 12-31-2012, 05:38 AM

I have the Tamron and the 77. I got the Tamron first, but all it did was convince me I really did want the 77. It's a good lens and the price is attractive, but now that I have the 77 I use it for macro and not portraits. Even though I tend to prefer to shoot a bit long, 90 mm is sometimes too long. The 77 will often give me results that don't even need PP. It's my most-used lens, and my go-to for portraits. I also mostly take pictures of my kids.

Here are some examples: http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=13943861@N03&q=FA%2077

Bestzoom · 12-31-2012, 07:50 AM

I have Sigma 50mm f1.4 and Pentax FA 77mm.
I don't have the Sigma 85mm.

Ultimately the decision can be made based on your favourite FL for portrait. Check you photo library and decide what is your most frequently used FL for portrait.
FA 77 is good for head and shoulder shots. If you don't often taken photos of that FL, then 30-50mm (on a cropped sensor camera) is often good for portrait.
Another wonderful choice which i don't have is Pentax DA 50-135 f2.8 zoom. Bhphoto has a Black Friday deal recently selling this tele for US750. I won't get any lens smaller than f2.8 for portrait. Kids won't stay still and a longer shutter speed (smaller aperture) may cause blurring of eyes from blinking.

Sigma draws differently. It is warmer in colour and more 'Nikon' like. FA 77 is a wonderful Pentax lens.

If you prefer anything longer than 50mm for portrait, then go for either 50-135 or FA77.

All the best.

kaiserz · 12-31-2012, 10:45 AM

Yeah I think Bestzoom is right. For the money and versatility the 50 - 135 cannot be beat. I would think a zoom lens would benefit you much better if you're gonna try and shoot kids running around (:

mikeSF · 12-31-2012, 01:59 PM

i cannot recommend the Tamron, my copy came down with the dreaded stuck aperture disease and now only works at f/2.8. The FA77 is a fantastic lens for head and shoulders portraits and most anything you aim it at. I even stick an extension tube on mine and it is a great macro lens.

sarahparish91 · 12-31-2012, 04:00 PM

I'm mostly after something nice and sharp wide open, I do love the bokeh! lol .. I have an album on here in the sample photos, I usually always shoot at around 2.5 and don't usually have any focus issues, but lower then that it does get a bit tricky. I'll look into all the new lens suggestions, just makes my decision more difficult! lol

12-30-2012, 09:00 PM	#1
sarahparish91 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Orange, NSW Photos: Albums Posts: 34	Wanting to by a new lens, stuck on which one? Hi, I am wanting to buy another lens (currently have Sigma 50mm 1.4) but I'm wanting something longer. I mostly take photos of my kids. I am not sure if I should get the Pentax 77mm 1.8, the Sigma 85 1.4 or the Tamron 90mm 2.8 di macro. The Tamron is about half the price of the other 2 lenses, price doesn't matter too much, but it will just take me a little bit longer to save up for either of the other 2. Should I wait and save up for either the 77mm or 85mm? If so, which do you recommend? I really like how much lighter the 77mm is..

12-30-2012, 11:54 PM	#10
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	I am a K-7 user, and have the Tamron 90mm f2.8 and CZ85mm f1.4. I do not use at all the Tamron. Why? I do not 'connect' with the Tammy, and I love the CZ85mm f1.4, a much faster lens with nicer IQ IMHO. From your list, I would go fo the FA77mm f1.8 by far ahead of all the others. The Sigma is nice 'on paper', but it is heavy. I value a lighter lens like the FA77mm and you will feel the differences even more with a light dSLR like your K-r. My 5 cents, hoping that it may help. Last edited by hcc; 12-31-2012 at 12:47 AM.

12-31-2012, 05:38 AM	#11
RubyT Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: TN Photos: Gallery Posts: 621	I have the Tamron and the 77. I got the Tamron first, but all it did was convince me I really did want the 77. It's a good lens and the price is attractive, but now that I have the 77 I use it for macro and not portraits. Even though I tend to prefer to shoot a bit long, 90 mm is sometimes too long. The 77 will often give me results that don't even need PP. It's my most-used lens, and my go-to for portraits. I also mostly take pictures of my kids. Here are some examples: http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=13943861@N03&q=FA%2077 Last edited by RubyT; 12-31-2012 at 05:49 AM.

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12-30-2012, 09:25 PM	#2
Vindemiatrix Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: las vegas Posts: 209	Can I recomend you the d fa 100 wr... if you want something longer and lighter this is an amazing lens. Super sharp not as expensive as the others, I love it for portraits AND you get the amazing macro!!! I don't think the autofocus is a problem, I find it great, and manual focus is a dream. I bought mine second hand here for about $530

12-30-2012, 09:45 PM	#3
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	I'd choose the Tamron 90 out of your list. The Pentax 55-300 might be good for kids though it is slower.

12-30-2012, 10:00 PM	#4
Primes4ever Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cambridge, Ontario Posts: 179	I would suggest a 100mm macro and I personally prefer the Pentax versions for size and build. I had the Tamron at one time, good IQ but personally prefer the ergonomics of the Pentax DFA 100 that I have. For shorter focal length consider the 70 Limited, good price and size, excellent IQ.

12-30-2012, 10:06 PM	#5
Eric Auer Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,211	If you are cool with Manual Focus only the Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF Lens Reviews - Samyang Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database ......

12-30-2012, 10:22 PM	#6
Vindemiatrix Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: las vegas Posts: 209	2 votes for d fa 100 ! is an amazinggg lens.

12-30-2012, 11:12 PM	#7
cmohr Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Brisbane. Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,824	If you have the Sigma 50/1.4, the 85/1.4 would be a good matching set, The Pentax 77/1.8 is a fantastic lens from what I've seen, but as so other s have said, the Pentax DFA100/2.8 can be found at very good 2nd hand prices, is sharp as sharp things, and is a really easy to use lenses with its Quickshift.

12-30-2012, 11:24 PM	#8
kaiserz Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: NoVa The "burg" Photos: Gallery Posts: 899	I never owned the DFA100. But I did had a chance to try it before. And let me tell you it's sharp! and the quickshift is always a good thing in my book. (too bad it's not my focal length and the price for a broke college is too much...)

12-30-2012, 11:49 PM	#9
excanonfd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,421	For the price of a used DFA100 you can buy a brand new Tamron 90/2.8 macro and have change left over with a good long warranty vs non-transferable (read non-existent) warranty. IQ of the Tamron is as good as or better than the DFA100. Quickshift, depress the lens release button with your right ring finger to disengage the AF screw drive coupling, there's your QS.

12-31-2012, 07:50 AM	#12
Bestzoom Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 232	I have Sigma 50mm f1.4 and Pentax FA 77mm. I don't have the Sigma 85mm. Ultimately the decision can be made based on your favourite FL for portrait. Check you photo library and decide what is your most frequently used FL for portrait. FA 77 is good for head and shoulder shots. If you don't often taken photos of that FL, then 30-50mm (on a cropped sensor camera) is often good for portrait. Another wonderful choice which i don't have is Pentax DA 50-135 f2.8 zoom. Bhphoto has a Black Friday deal recently selling this tele for US750. I won't get any lens smaller than f2.8 for portrait. Kids won't stay still and a longer shutter speed (smaller aperture) may cause blurring of eyes from blinking. Sigma draws differently. It is warmer in colour and more 'Nikon' like. FA 77 is a wonderful Pentax lens. If you prefer anything longer than 50mm for portrait, then go for either 50-135 or FA77. All the best.

12-31-2012, 10:45 AM	#13
kaiserz Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: NoVa The "burg" Photos: Gallery Posts: 899	Yeah I think Bestzoom is right. For the money and versatility the 50 - 135 cannot be beat. I would think a zoom lens would benefit you much better if you're gonna try and shoot kids running around (:

12-31-2012, 01:59 PM	#14
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	i cannot recommend the Tamron, my copy came down with the dreaded stuck aperture disease and now only works at f/2.8. The FA77 is a fantastic lens for head and shoulders portraits and most anything you aim it at. I even stick an extension tube on mine and it is a great macro lens.

12-31-2012, 04:00 PM	#15
sarahparish91 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Orange, NSW Photos: Albums Posts: 34 Original Poster	I'm mostly after something nice and sharp wide open, I do love the bokeh! lol .. I have an album on here in the sample photos, I usually always shoot at around 2.5 and don't usually have any focus issues, but lower then that it does get a bit tricky. I'll look into all the new lens suggestions, just makes my decision more difficult! lol