[geekkt]

Hi all! I don't post a lot lately, and I have kept myself away from the marketplace to keep myself from buying anything

I think I'm in the market for a longer portrait lens, especially for use outdoors. I currently use a 35/2.4 and a 50/1.4 almost exclusively. I love primes, and do 90% portrait type shots. What options do I have, or what do you use and love? Probably looking at hunting the used market to keep the cost down, but am open to suggestions. I'm just not up to date on what's out there right now.

[Adam]

Take a look at the samyang/bower/vivitar 85mm. It's an absolute steal for the iq you get. See our review of it on the homepage!

[jatrax]

DA 70mm Ltd or the 77mm Ltd if you want to stay with Pentax. Even the DFA 100mm though that might be getting too long.

[Bcrary3]

Sigma currently makes 3 lenses (yes they are for macro but I don't see why the can't double over as portrait lenses) they come in 50, 70, and 105mm. Any of these would be great. When I had my 70mm, I loved it. Very nice lens. Those are the only lenses I've ever had any experience with, seeing as I shoot portraits with a 50mm Rikenon-P, then jump from there to over 200mm. But I don't see why any of the Pentax A or M lenses (70-150mm range) wouldn't work. But if you don't want MF for it, then I'd go with the Sigma. Tamron might make some primes in the focal range too at a lower cost (possibly). Hope that helps a bit!

[scratchpaddy]

As Adam said, the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 (also sold by Vivitar, Bower, Bell + Howell, and many others) is always a good choice. It's manual focus, but otherwise thoroughly modern. It's also very affordable for an ultra-fast 85mm.

If you want fun and interesting, get a Helios 40. It's a Russian-built lens based on a Zeiss design they got from Germany as reparations for WWII. It's 85mm, with an aperture of f/1.5. The bokeh is truly one-of-a-kind. They're kind of expensive now, due to their rarity, but KMZ just started making them again. Maybe the price will go down? I have an older copy, made in 1963. Here's a pic:

[geekkt]

Wow, you're quick! And Scratchpaddy, love that shot. The tongue cracks me up and the bokeh is awesome.

I don't need to stay Pentax, I'm pretty open. Budget friendly makes me especially happy :P I do think something in the 70-85 range is probably perfect for me. 100 might be pushing on the long side, but I also don't have a longer zoom at the moment either, so it's not ruled out entirely. Auto focus preferred, but I could potentially adjust to a manual. I've got a 2 month old baby that's often wrapped on my front or in one arm, so one-handed shooting is the name of the game lately.

I'll check all those out, thanks! 85/1.4 would be awesome...

[sagar]

I was in same search and after going through forum posts, I ended up ordering 77/f1.8 (yet to receive) I am under impression it is supposed to be go to portrait lens for Pentax, I am surprised (and bit concerned) not to see any recommendation for this lens

[dboeren]

Another possible low-budget option might be a Jupiter-9 85mm f/2.0 and it should also have some funky Soviet bokeh.

[tcbubbleleo]

Samyang(or Korean made liked) is great value; DA70 is great, and you will be able to find(with patient,) about $500/600 in PFMP, or if you can afford the FA_77.

the 100mm macro(s) and the 135mm/2.8 (F or FA) are the other, longer reach choices.

[Bcrary3]

If you'd like the 100mm focal length, and a MF lens, this just came up on the fourm https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographic-equipment-sale/222828-sale-s...rait-lens.html

[jimr-pdx]

I have the DA70 which serves very well, the 50-200 is fine on the low end when bckground is well separated, and a $65 Rikenon 70-150 f/4 when flare is not an issue. That 100mm f/2.8 would be great fun, I have a 100/3.5 macro but don't often use it for portraits.

[sagar]

Another great lens I don't see mentioned is Sigma 85mm/f1.4

[adpo]

Another great lens I don't see mentioned is Sigma 85mm/f1.4

reason for why more people don't suggest the FA77 and sigma 85 more is mostly due to cost. the thing about those lenses is that they're absolutely brilliant lenses, astounding performers.....and you pay for it

[civiletti]

All good recommendations. Another is the Tamron 90/2.8.

[Aristophanes]

All good recommendations. Another is the Tamron 90/2.8.

I second that. Portrait samples: