Budget full body portrait lens

**fretlessdavis** · 09-25-2013, 11:07 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

DA 40mm XS.

Or bump up to the Limited, I've had my eye out and it seems like if you're patient you could get one used for $250. $300 seems more typical, though.

stevebrot · 09-25-2013, 01:50 PM

Originally posted by scratchpaddy

Are you talking about the Helios 44? That's a $30 lens!

You were robbed! I paid $15 USD for my Helios 44M.

Steve

Drake Avenue · 09-25-2013, 02:21 PM

I use my Sigma 30mm f1.4 for fashion and it does an outstanding job

**todd** · 09-25-2013, 03:14 PM

I've never done this kind of work so don't listen to me, but based on my recent experience with my copy of FA77 that I've had for close to a few months now, I question that your DA70 should be written off as too long for this scenario without at least testing it yourself to see what you think.. I also love my FA50/1.4 and know it would work great in this scenario too, and so could 28/31/40/43 obviously... I personally would be trying to make FA77 work if I were in your position and then resorting to my FA50 and FA31 if I agreed with everybody else that I was too far away...

yorik · 09-25-2013, 03:42 PM

Seconding Todd's comments above... Here are a couple of snapshots with the 77 ltd of people painting a mural. No great shakes, but they do illustrate the ability of the lens to take a group photo (with room to spare). I am not good at estimating distances, but I was about two (average) car-lengths away (less, for the first one).

Tanzer · 09-25-2013, 03:42 PM

Not sure why so many are suggesting 50mm for full body portraits. I realize you said outdoors, but 50mm will force you to stay at something of an annoying distance from your subject. I think 30 to 40 mm is really a better choice.

(Edit: not directed at the preceding post)

**Cee Cee** · 09-25-2013, 05:06 PM

it depends what's important to you, angle of view or perspective, personally I wouldn't use any thing less than 50m, getting up close with a 28 or 30 throws the perspective out too much for me, unless there's some reason you can't get back a couple of steps
I would opt for a zoom anyway in that situation, AT-X pro 28-70 2.8 or something in that range then you've got all bases covered, including use of fill flash if its a dull day

Last edited by Cee Cee; 09-25-2013 at 05:28 PM.

NitroDC · 09-25-2013, 06:54 PM

30-40mm will be better if you are taking portraits in tighter situations -- however a fast 50 will give you better subject isolation (not just because of the larger aperture but the perspecitve as well). I would look at an F 50/1.7. They are pretty cheap to come by and the rendering is simply superb. I love it for portraiture.

thornburg · 09-25-2013, 08:32 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

You were robbed! I paid $15 USD for my Helios 44M.

Steve

If you can buy Helios 44s at that price regularly, you can make money hand over fist by selling them on eBay.

The current going rate (varying with condition/model/etc) seems be in the $40-$50 range (with shipping), but certain ones end up going for more. It's not always discernible why.

I know, because I've been in the market for a while.

I just bought a 44M for $29 shipped. We'll see if I got a good deal when it gets here and I try it out.

Ponosby Britt · 09-25-2013, 08:53 PM

Originally posted by Zen4Life

I own a K-5 and am primarily a landscape guy. I have the 15 and 70 limited and an old manual 28/3.5. I was talked into shooting some models for a costume designer. The shoot will be outside using natural lighting. Shots will range from 3/4 body shots to full body shots. From all the forum reading, the consensus seems that my 70 would be too long for that and puts me at a large distance from the model.

An ideal range appears to be 35-50mm. I am on a budget so something $250 and under. Maybe in the future if I decide to get more into it, I would spring for a nicer lens. I would prefer AF but would definately consider MF since these are adult models. Primes or zooms will both be considered.

Can someone give me some options?

Thanks!

Your 70 is fine. Preferable, as long as you have room and outdoors that shouldn't be an issue. Shooting long is desirable. In my portrait business, I use my 50-135 when I can, else a Tamron 28-75 or Pentax 17-70 in that order. Look for used at Keh. The Tamron will be in Pentax 35mm Auto Focus section, the 17-70 in Pentax Digital. The Tamron is a very versatile and very good lens. My well used 6 year old copy is still my bread and butter event lens .

09-25-2013, 03:42 PM	#20
yorik Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Scotts Valley, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 991	Seconding Todd's comments above... Here are a couple of snapshots with the 77 ltd of people painting a mural. No great shakes, but they do illustrate the ability of the lens to take a group photo (with room to spare). I am not good at estimating distances, but I was about two (average) car-lengths away (less, for the first one). Attached Images Last edited by yorik; 09-25-2013 at 03:44 PM. Reason: accuracy

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09-25-2013, 11:07 AM	#16
fretlessdavis Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Port Angeles, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 505	Originally posted by Na Horuk DA 40mm XS. Or bump up to the Limited, I've had my eye out and it seems like if you're patient you could get one used for $250. $300 seems more typical, though.

09-25-2013, 01:50 PM	#17
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by scratchpaddy Are you talking about the Helios 44? That's a $30 lens! You were robbed! I paid $15 USD for my Helios 44M. Steve

09-25-2013, 02:21 PM	#18
Drake Avenue Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 140	I use my Sigma 30mm f1.4 for fashion and it does an outstanding job

09-25-2013, 03:14 PM	#19
todd Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,791	I've never done this kind of work so don't listen to me, but based on my recent experience with my copy of FA77 that I've had for close to a few months now, I question that your DA70 should be written off as too long for this scenario without at least testing it yourself to see what you think.. I also love my FA50/1.4 and know it would work great in this scenario too, and so could 28/31/40/43 obviously... I personally would be trying to make FA77 work if I were in your position and then resorting to my FA50 and FA31 if I agreed with everybody else that I was too far away...

09-25-2013, 03:42 PM	#21
Tanzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Perrineville, NJ Posts: 1,375	Not sure why so many are suggesting 50mm for full body portraits. I realize you said outdoors, but 50mm will force you to stay at something of an annoying distance from your subject. I think 30 to 40 mm is really a better choice. (Edit: not directed at the preceding post)

09-25-2013, 05:06 PM	#22
Cee Cee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Glenroy, Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,441	it depends what's important to you, angle of view or perspective, personally I wouldn't use any thing less than 50m, getting up close with a 28 or 30 throws the perspective out too much for me, unless there's some reason you can't get back a couple of steps I would opt for a zoom anyway in that situation, AT-X pro 28-70 2.8 or something in that range then you've got all bases covered, including use of fill flash if its a dull day Last edited by Cee Cee; 09-25-2013 at 05:28 PM.

09-25-2013, 06:54 PM	#23
NitroDC Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 342	30-40mm will be better if you are taking portraits in tighter situations -- however a fast 50 will give you better subject isolation (not just because of the larger aperture but the perspecitve as well). I would look at an F 50/1.7. They are pretty cheap to come by and the rendering is simply superb. I love it for portraiture.

09-25-2013, 08:32 PM	#24
thornburg Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Doylestown, PA Posts: 200	Originally posted by stevebrot You were robbed! I paid $15 USD for my Helios 44M. Steve If you can buy Helios 44s at that price regularly, you can make money hand over fist by selling them on eBay. The current going rate (varying with condition/model/etc) seems be in the $40-$50 range (with shipping), but certain ones end up going for more. It's not always discernible why. I know, because I've been in the market for a while. I just bought a 44M for $29 shipped. We'll see if I got a good deal when it gets here and I try it out.

09-25-2013, 08:53 PM	#25
Ponosby Britt Closed Account Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 227	Originally posted by Zen4Life I own a K-5 and am primarily a landscape guy. I have the 15 and 70 limited and an old manual 28/3.5. I was talked into shooting some models for a costume designer. The shoot will be outside using natural lighting. Shots will range from 3/4 body shots to full body shots. From all the forum reading, the consensus seems that my 70 would be too long for that and puts me at a large distance from the model. An ideal range appears to be 35-50mm. I am on a budget so something $250 and under. Maybe in the future if I decide to get more into it, I would spring for a nicer lens. I would prefer AF but would definately consider MF since these are adult models. Primes or zooms will both be considered. Can someone give me some options? Thanks! Your 70 is fine. Preferable, as long as you have room and outdoors that shouldn't be an issue. Shooting long is desirable. In my portrait business, I use my 50-135 when I can, else a Tamron 28-75 or Pentax 17-70 in that order. Look for used at Keh. The Tamron will be in Pentax 35mm Auto Focus section, the 17-70 in Pentax Digital. The Tamron is a very versatile and very good lens. My well used 6 year old copy is still my bread and butter event lens .