I'm loving 70mm!! Is it love?

6BQ5 · 06-22-2013, 09:48 AM

I have been shooting with a manual focus Rikenon 35-70mm zoom and I find myself doing a lot of close-up shots at 70mm, from a bit of distance (vs. just mere inches from the subject). Is 70mm like a magical length for macro and close-ups? Before I cranked my shutter count up I was thinking of getting a wide angle 28mm or 35mm lens as a walk-around prime. Now I'm thinking of getting a 70mm instead.

What do others think of 70mm lenses?

devorama · 06-22-2013, 10:04 AM

I used to do portraits with a Sigma 30mm F/1.4 and then a Pentax-F 50mm F/1.4. But then I rented the DA 70mm Limited and fell in love with it. Great field of view for headshots and really sharp even wide open! Rent one and you'll see.

SpecialK · 06-22-2013, 10:31 AM

A prime is not a walk-around lens, unless you don't mean a single lens that covers most of the focal length range required to capture the majority of the images you will encounter on an unplanned casual outing :-)

70 is a good portrait length and short telephoto, however.

jimr-pdx · 06-22-2013, 10:34 AM

I own the DA70 and hate to think of parting with it, such an excellent and tiny lens. The Sigma 70 is a true macro, far bulkier but gives excellent results. Can't think of other 70s but those two are definitely winners!

yorik · 06-22-2013, 04:58 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

A prime is not a walk-around lens, unless

... you like to walk around with a prime lens.

6BQ5 · 06-22-2013, 05:16 PM

Originally posted by yorik

... you like to walk around with a prime lens.

**cpk** · 06-22-2013, 05:24 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

A prime is not a walk-around lens, unless you don't mean a single lens that covers most of the focal length range required to capture the majority of the images you will encounter on an unplanned casual outing :-)

70 is a good portrait length and short telephoto, however.

If I'm doing street photography, I want a prime; a zoom is too large and heavy and too slow to use in comparison to a prime. On the other hand, if I'm wandering around photographing buildings and store fronts, a zoom is the best lens. The 70, I find, is best for across-the-street street photography in terms of this discussion.

Sandy Hancock · 06-22-2013, 05:27 PM

It depends on your shooting style, but for me, 70mm would be a bit long as a general walk-around prime; I reckon 28mm would be ideal. I waver between the DA21, FA31 and FA43 if I want just one lens.

If you like 70mm then the DA70 is a wonderfully sharp, compact and acceptably fast lens, but it does not focus very close; it is great for tight head shots but not true macros.

Tonto · 06-22-2013, 06:36 PM

When walking around with primes you get used to the framing each lens gives you, eg I don't LOOK for tele shots when I have a wide prime on just like I am looking for detail shots or mild tele rather than wide shots with a 70mm the only difference is if I do really want a tele shot with a wide lens I am able to crop.
So this may explain why the DA15 is so cherished as it is so pocketable as the wide when you need it.
Oh and back on track 70mm is a fav length of mine for similar reasons, it gives me just the right amount of space from someone and as was said gives me a standard view from across the street.

6BQ5 · 06-23-2013, 09:52 AM

I took a quick look on eBay for a fixed length manual 70mm lens. Nothing came up except for expensive Sigma lenses. 95% of the results were all zooms. Did nobody make a fixed length 70mm lens "back in the day"?

lytrytyr · 06-23-2013, 11:15 AM

Originally posted by 6BQ5

Did nobody make a fixed length 70mm lens "back in the day"?

The DA 70 is the APS-C equivalent
of the classic old full frame telephoto lenses
in the 100-105mm range:

SMC Pentax-A 100mm F2.8 Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
SMC Pentax-M 100mm F2.8 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
SMC Pentax 105mm F2.8 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
Takumar/Auto-Takumar 105mm F2.8 Reviews - M42 Screwmount Telephoto Primes - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

**Kerrowdown** · 06-23-2013, 01:33 PM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

70mm would be a bit long

I would agree, I use a 15 or 20 mm for street work.

Zafar Iqbal · 06-23-2013, 01:38 PM

Pretty much all of my studio portraits are shot @ 70mm. I too love this focal lenght.

normhead · 06-23-2013, 02:25 PM

Since I received my Sigma 70 macro, I've taken lots of walks with it on the camera. I love having decent macro. And I can bring a 21 ltd in my pocket in case I need wide angle. But if I'm at Niagara Falls and i'm "walking around", my 18-135 is the lens of choice.

tclausen · 06-23-2013, 02:30 PM

Originally posted by kerrowdown

I would agree, I use a 15 or 20 mm for street work.

So you're saying that you're sporting 15-20mm only, when working the streets???

In serious, kerrowdown is an excellent "street worker" and if I was to venture into that field I'd heed his recommendations.

06-22-2013, 09:48 AM	#1
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	I'm loving 70mm!! Is it love? I have been shooting with a manual focus Rikenon 35-70mm zoom and I find myself doing a lot of close-up shots at 70mm, from a bit of distance (vs. just mere inches from the subject). Is 70mm like a magical length for macro and close-ups? Before I cranked my shutter count up I was thinking of getting a wide angle 28mm or 35mm lens as a walk-around prime. Now I'm thinking of getting a 70mm instead. What do others think of 70mm lenses?

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06-22-2013, 10:04 AM	#2
devorama Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 638	I used to do portraits with a Sigma 30mm F/1.4 and then a Pentax-F 50mm F/1.4. But then I rented the DA 70mm Limited and fell in love with it. Great field of view for headshots and really sharp even wide open! Rent one and you'll see.

06-22-2013, 10:31 AM	#3
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	A prime is not a walk-around lens, unless you don't mean a single lens that covers most of the focal length range required to capture the majority of the images you will encounter on an unplanned casual outing :-) 70 is a good portrait length and short telephoto, however.

06-22-2013, 10:34 AM	#4
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	I own the DA70 and hate to think of parting with it, such an excellent and tiny lens. The Sigma 70 is a true macro, far bulkier but gives excellent results. Can't think of other 70s but those two are definitely winners!

06-22-2013, 04:58 PM	#5
yorik Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Scotts Valley, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 991	Originally posted by SpecialK A prime is not a walk-around lens, unless ... you like to walk around with a prime lens.

06-22-2013, 05:16 PM	#6
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348 Original Poster	Originally posted by yorik ... you like to walk around with a prime lens.

06-22-2013, 05:24 PM	#7
cpk Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 638	Originally posted by SpecialK A prime is not a walk-around lens, unless you don't mean a single lens that covers most of the focal length range required to capture the majority of the images you will encounter on an unplanned casual outing :-) 70 is a good portrait length and short telephoto, however. If I'm doing street photography, I want a prime; a zoom is too large and heavy and too slow to use in comparison to a prime. On the other hand, if I'm wandering around photographing buildings and store fronts, a zoom is the best lens. The 70, I find, is best for across-the-street street photography in terms of this discussion.

06-22-2013, 05:27 PM	#8
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,267	It depends on your shooting style, but for me, 70mm would be a bit long as a general walk-around prime; I reckon 28mm would be ideal. I waver between the DA21, FA31 and FA43 if I want just one lens. If you like 70mm then the DA70 is a wonderfully sharp, compact and acceptably fast lens, but it does not focus very close; it is great for tight head shots but not true macros.

06-22-2013, 06:36 PM	#9
Tonto Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 969	When walking around with primes you get used to the framing each lens gives you, eg I don't LOOK for tele shots when I have a wide prime on just like I am looking for detail shots or mild tele rather than wide shots with a 70mm the only difference is if I do really want a tele shot with a wide lens I am able to crop. So this may explain why the DA15 is so cherished as it is so pocketable as the wide when you need it. Oh and back on track 70mm is a fav length of mine for similar reasons, it gives me just the right amount of space from someone and as was said gives me a standard view from across the street.

06-23-2013, 09:52 AM	#10
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348 Original Poster	I took a quick look on eBay for a fixed length manual 70mm lens. Nothing came up except for expensive Sigma lenses. 95% of the results were all zooms. Did nobody make a fixed length 70mm lens "back in the day"?

06-23-2013, 11:15 AM	#11
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by 6BQ5 Did nobody make a fixed length 70mm lens "back in the day"? The DA 70 is the APS-C equivalent of the classic old full frame telephoto lenses in the 100-105mm range: SMC Pentax-A 100mm F2.8 Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database SMC Pentax-M 100mm F2.8 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database SMC Pentax 105mm F2.8 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Takumar/Auto-Takumar 105mm F2.8 Reviews - M42 Screwmount Telephoto Primes - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

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06-23-2013, 01:33 PM	#12
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,814	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock 70mm would be a bit long I would agree, I use a 15 or 20 mm for street work.

06-23-2013, 01:38 PM	#13
Zafar Iqbal Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,229	Pretty much all of my studio portraits are shot @ 70mm. I too love this focal lenght.

06-23-2013, 02:25 PM	#14
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Since I received my Sigma 70 macro, I've taken lots of walks with it on the camera. I love having decent macro. And I can bring a 21 ltd in my pocket in case I need wide angle. But if I'm at Niagara Falls and i'm "walking around", my 18-135 is the lens of choice.

06-23-2013, 02:30 PM	#15
tclausen Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,397	Originally posted by kerrowdown I would agree, I use a 15 or 20 mm for street work. So you're saying that you're sporting 15-20mm only, when working the streets??? In serious, kerrowdown is an excellent "street worker" and if I was to venture into that field I'd heed his recommendations.