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08-10-2013, 08:59 AM   #1
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Going for 85mm f1.4 or 135mm f1.8 for portraits?

I'm trying to convince myself to get a 85mm f1.4 (those manual lens from Korea, you know) for portraits, because some say it's the best fl for that purpose, and because I never had a 85 before I do, however, love 135mm, and someone offer me a used 135mm f1.8 within the price range of that 85mm new. Any suggestion?

08-10-2013, 09:14 AM   #2
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The 135/1.8 is tougher to find but it's pretty long on APS-C. Still, you can always find a nice 85/1.4 Samyang.
08-10-2013, 09:37 AM   #3
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Is it the Pentax-A*135mm f1.8 we are talking about here?
08-10-2013, 09:47 AM   #4
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I find 135mm too long for portrait work on APS-C ... have used my D FA 100 WR for it ... works if you have enough room, but it's really the limit for me ... J

08-10-2013, 10:01 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by Docrwm Quote
The 135/1.8 is tougher to find but it's pretty long on APS-C. Still, you can always find a nice 85/1.4 Samyang.
Yeah, it's long, but I do portraits outdoor, that's why I love 135's

QuoteOriginally posted by Douglas_of_Sweden Quote
Is it the Pentax-A*135mm f1.8 we are talking about here?
Wow, I wish.. It's just regular 135/1.8 with a 77mm filter ring, but without the '*' thingy

QuoteOriginally posted by Jean Poitiers Quote
I find 135mm too long for portrait work on APS-C ... have used my D FA 100 WR for it ... works if you have enough room, but it's really the limit for me ... J
What I love about 135 is the compressed background. I read somewhere that 50mm, 85mm, even 100mm is almost identical in terms of background compressing.
08-10-2013, 10:06 AM   #6
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I've never heard of a regular 135/1.8
08-10-2013, 10:13 AM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by Pablom Quote
I've never heard of a regular 135/1.8
The only 135/1.8 I can find in the database is an A* model that typically sells in rhe $1000+ range.
http://kmp.bdimitrov.de/lenses/primes/tele/A135f1.8.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-A-Star-135mm-F1.8-Lens.html

So, if it is a 135/1.8 and you can get it in descent shape for what a Samyang 85/1.4 is selling for that's a steal.

08-10-2013, 10:16 AM   #8
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Save a bit more and get the Sigma 85mm f/1.4.
You wont regret it!
HSM and autofocus and currently in production.
08-10-2013, 10:23 AM   #9
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Is it the Porst 135/1.8? That's a good lens. If it's the A* jump on it, for sure.
08-10-2013, 10:30 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by Pablom Quote
I've never heard of a regular 135/1.8
well, The A* is the 'irregular' one, so anything else is sort of regular

QuoteOriginally posted by LaurenOE Quote
Save a bit more and get the Sigma 85mm f/1.4.
You wont regret it!
HSM and autofocus and currently in production.
Well, if I'm going to the 85mm road, I'll get the cheap Korean 85's
I'm one of those manual-focus junkie, so to speak
But again, the 135/1.8 I had in mind is Sigma made..

Last edited by minahasa; 08-10-2013 at 10:43 AM.
08-10-2013, 12:05 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by minahasa Quote
Yeah, it's long, but I do portraits outdoor, that's why I love 135's



Wow, I wish.. It's just regular 135/1.8 with a 77mm filter ring, but without the '*' thingy



What I love about 135 is the compressed background. I read somewhere that 50mm, 85mm, even 100mm is almost identical in terms of background compressing.
50, 85, and 135 are all very different focal lengths. If 135 is your favorite, I would say go for it.
08-13-2013, 03:15 AM   #12
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Anyone have a sample shots of the same subject with both 85mm and 135mm? Thanks!
08-15-2013, 02:53 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by minahasa Quote
Well, if I'm going to the 85mm road, I'll get the cheap Korean 85's
I'm one of those manual-focus junkie, so to speak
But again, the 135/1.8 I had in mind is Sigma made..
is that the Sigmatel 135 f1.8?
08-15-2013, 04:43 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by minahasa Quote
well, The A* is the 'irregular' one, so anything else is sort of regular
Well, if the A* is the only 135/1.8 Pentax made, I'd consider it a "regular" 135/1.8.
08-15-2013, 11:08 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by Alizarine Quote
is that the Sigmatel 135 f1.8?
It is

QuoteOriginally posted by deus ursus Quote
Well, if the A* is the only 135/1.8 Pentax made, I'd consider it a "regular" 135/1.8.
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