HELP, Need opinions on 2 lenses for portraits!

tele_pathic · 10-02-2013, 10:49 AM

It's so hard not to plug the DA 70, esp. because the OP didn't mention that as an option. The OP was asking about the 31 and DA*55 specificially. However, the DA 70 is my go-to portrait lens and the DA 40mm (also not mentioned by the OP) is my go-to walk-around/street lens. Either of those are options as well. Heck, you could buy both for the price of the DA*55 alone.

VisualDarkness · 10-02-2013, 10:52 AM

Originally posted by tele_pathic

It's so hard not to plug the DA 70, esp. because the OP didn't mention that as an option. The OP was asking about the 31 and DA*55 specificially. However, the DA 70 is my go-to portrait lens and the DA 40mm (also not mentioned by the OP) is my go-to walk-around/street lens. Either of those are options as well. Heck, you could buy both for the price of the DA*55 alone.

I bought the 70 and 55 for pretty much the same prices used, so that isn't always true.

laughlady99 · 10-02-2013, 11:35 AM

Originally posted by tele_pathic

It's so hard not to plug the DA 70, esp. because the OP didn't mention that as an option. The OP was asking about the 31 and DA*55 specificially. However, the DA 70 is my go-to portrait lens and the DA 40mm (also not mentioned by the OP) is my go-to walk-around/street lens. Either of those are options as well. Heck, you could buy both for the price of the DA*55 alone.

I appreciate your input, this will come in handy when I'm looking into what lenses to actually purchase, thanks

laughlady99 · 10-02-2013, 11:37 AM

Originally posted by Tanzer

Yes, I think the DA*55 would be too long to get that kind of shot. In that shot, as a viewer, you really feel intimate with the subject, standing right there on the stairs. This is a very well-composed shot, IMO, because it takes advantage of the stairway and handrails and the perspective distortion becomes an element of the composition. If this photo were taken straight on, on level ground, it probably wouldn't be so interesting.

The same effect is sometimes used when photographing models, by taking the shot from low on the ground. This makes a model's legs appear longer.

Getting close and intimate with the subject is one benefit of using a shorter lens, and why many "street" photographers like to use wider lenses -- it makes the viewer feel like he/she is right there.

So, it really depends on what kind of portraits you want to take. If you are looking to capture a more intimate feeling of mingling with your family, the FA31 would definitely work. And while both lenses produce excellent bokeh, the FA31 rendering of skin tones is legendary.

Thanks!! You are helping me lean more toward the 31, I think it is going to work out a little better for what I'm wanting to do, and I just found another gallery online of photos taken with that lens and they are all amazing and I haven't seen much distortion with the images posted, so I think I'm going to take my chances! I know I won't want to send it back, lol! I'll be sure to post some pics I take with it...

VisualDarkness · 10-02-2013, 11:41 AM

All of the mentioned lenses are really good!

You have to decide what factors are the most important.

size:
smallest 40mm - 70mm - 31mm - 55mm largest

Silent AF:
55mm

Weatherprotection:
55mm

Classics:
31mm - 40mm

Light gathering
55mm - 31mm - 70mm - 40mm

Etc
Just put in more lenses that you are interested in and more categories. And focal length is easy to test with a zoom.

yorik · 10-02-2013, 12:48 PM

As has been said, you can get great portraits with any of the lenses mentioned above, and I will mention one more - the 43mm ltd. I find it gives me a lot of flexibility in the type of portrait I want (group, close-up, environmental, etc.).

I do understand your dilemma though - the siren song of the 31 is hard to resist (I eventually succumbed). I will say this though (and be branded forever as a heretic), if I had to give up one of the 77, 43 or 31, I would let the 31 go first because of the people-picture-prowess of the other two (I hope this never happens!).

laughlady99 · 10-02-2013, 01:02 PM

Originally posted by yorik

As has been said, you can get great portraits with any of the lenses mentioned above, and I will mention one more - the 43mm ltd. I find it gives me a lot of flexibility in the type of portrait I want (group, close-up, environmental, etc.).

I do understand your dilemma though - the siren song of the 31 is hard to resist (I eventually succumbed). I will say this though (and be branded forever as a heretic), if I had to give up one of the 77, 43 or 31, I would let the 31 go first because of the people-picture-prowess of the other two (I hope this never happens!).

I actually ran across a thread online where people were debating between the 31 and the 43, that one looks pretty nice too I have to agree! I have already rented the 77 a year ago and took some pics of my daughter with it, was definitely a great lens but for some reason my photos were a bit softer than I was wanting with that lens. I am still learning a lot when it comes to how lighting affects the photos, and proper exposure and such, but I remember sending that lens back thinking it was more $$ that what I would be willing to pay for it...

tele_pathic · 10-02-2013, 01:02 PM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

I bought the 70 and 55 for pretty much the same prices used, so that isn't always true.

Not to threadjack, but if you purchased the DA*55 for the same price as a DA 70mm Limited, one of us got screwed!

VisualDarkness · 10-02-2013, 01:06 PM

Originally posted by tele_pathic

Not to threadjack, but if you purchased the DA*55 for the same price as a DA 70mm Limited, one of us got screwed!

About 330€ for the 70mm and 360€ for 55mm. That's the Swedish used market.

yorik · 10-02-2013, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by laughlady99

I actually ran across a thread online where people were debating between the 31 and the 43, that one looks pretty nice too I have to agree! I have already rented the 77 a year ago and took some pics of my daughter with it, was definitely a great lens but for some reason my photos were a bit softer than I was wanting with that lens. I am still learning a lot when it comes to how lighting affects the photos, and proper exposure and such, but I remember sending that lens back thinking it was more $$ that what I would be willing to pay for it...

I had the opposite experience with the 77: the first time I used it, it felt exactly right. I had never spent that much money on a lens before, and felt not even a smidgeon of buyers remorse. I had a similar (but not as visceral) experience with the 43 (which came second). I did not have that experience with the 31, though I very much like the character of the pictures I make with it. I think that it is mostly a focal length thing, because all three lenses have magical rendering properties.

Fred2726 · 10-02-2013, 01:13 PM

What about a used Da* 50-135? It's my go to lens for almost all my portraits/weddings. Add in the 16-50 and you have almost everything covered plus weatherproof.

You may need a bit more light being f2.8 compared to f1.4 on the 55, but being able cover 70-200mm roughly with the crop factor is well worth it IMHO.

VisualDarkness · 10-02-2013, 01:18 PM

Originally posted by Fred2726

What about a used Da* 50-135? It's my go to lens for almost all my portraits/weddings. Add in the 16-50 and you have almost everything covered plus weatherproof.

You may need a bit more light being f2.8 compared to f1.4 on the 55, but being able cover 70-200mm roughly with the crop factor is well worth it IMHO.

That is a masterful lens, if tele is wanted!

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10-02-2013, 10:49 AM	#31
tele_pathic Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 292	It's so hard not to plug the DA 70, esp. because the OP didn't mention that as an option. The OP was asking about the 31 and DA55 specificially. However, the DA 70 is my go-to portrait lens and the DA 40mm (also not mentioned by the OP) is my go-to walk-around/street lens. Either of those are options as well. Heck, you could buy both for the price of the DA55 alone.

10-02-2013, 10:52 AM	#32
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by tele_pathic It's so hard not to plug the DA 70, esp. because the OP didn't mention that as an option. The OP was asking about the 31 and DA55 specificially. However, the DA 70 is my go-to portrait lens and the DA 40mm (also not mentioned by the OP) is my go-to walk-around/street lens. Either of those are options as well. Heck, you could buy both for the price of the DA55 alone. I bought the 70 and 55 for pretty much the same prices used, so that isn't always true.

10-02-2013, 11:35 AM	#33
laughlady99 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 161 Original Poster	Originally posted by tele_pathic It's so hard not to plug the DA 70, esp. because the OP didn't mention that as an option. The OP was asking about the 31 and DA55 specificially. However, the DA 70 is my go-to portrait lens and the DA 40mm (also not mentioned by the OP) is my go-to walk-around/street lens. Either of those are options as well. Heck, you could buy both for the price of the DA55 alone. I appreciate your input, this will come in handy when I'm looking into what lenses to actually purchase, thanks

10-02-2013, 11:37 AM	#34
laughlady99 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 161 Original Poster	Originally posted by Tanzer Yes, I think the DA*55 would be too long to get that kind of shot. In that shot, as a viewer, you really feel intimate with the subject, standing right there on the stairs. This is a very well-composed shot, IMO, because it takes advantage of the stairway and handrails and the perspective distortion becomes an element of the composition. If this photo were taken straight on, on level ground, it probably wouldn't be so interesting. The same effect is sometimes used when photographing models, by taking the shot from low on the ground. This makes a model's legs appear longer. Getting close and intimate with the subject is one benefit of using a shorter lens, and why many "street" photographers like to use wider lenses -- it makes the viewer feel like he/she is right there. So, it really depends on what kind of portraits you want to take. If you are looking to capture a more intimate feeling of mingling with your family, the FA31 would definitely work. And while both lenses produce excellent bokeh, the FA31 rendering of skin tones is legendary. Thanks!! You are helping me lean more toward the 31, I think it is going to work out a little better for what I'm wanting to do, and I just found another gallery online of photos taken with that lens and they are all amazing and I haven't seen much distortion with the images posted, so I think I'm going to take my chances! I know I won't want to send it back, lol! I'll be sure to post some pics I take with it...

10-02-2013, 11:41 AM	#35
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	All of the mentioned lenses are really good! You have to decide what factors are the most important. size: smallest 40mm - 70mm - 31mm - 55mm largest Silent AF: 55mm Weatherprotection: 55mm Classics: 31mm - 40mm Light gathering 55mm - 31mm - 70mm - 40mm Etc Just put in more lenses that you are interested in and more categories. And focal length is easy to test with a zoom.

10-02-2013, 12:48 PM	#36
yorik Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Scotts Valley, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 991	As has been said, you can get great portraits with any of the lenses mentioned above, and I will mention one more - the 43mm ltd. I find it gives me a lot of flexibility in the type of portrait I want (group, close-up, environmental, etc.). I do understand your dilemma though - the siren song of the 31 is hard to resist (I eventually succumbed). I will say this though (and be branded forever as a heretic), if I had to give up one of the 77, 43 or 31, I would let the 31 go first because of the people-picture-prowess of the other two (I hope this never happens!).

10-02-2013, 01:02 PM	#37
laughlady99 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 161 Original Poster	Originally posted by yorik As has been said, you can get great portraits with any of the lenses mentioned above, and I will mention one more - the 43mm ltd. I find it gives me a lot of flexibility in the type of portrait I want (group, close-up, environmental, etc.). I do understand your dilemma though - the siren song of the 31 is hard to resist (I eventually succumbed). I will say this though (and be branded forever as a heretic), if I had to give up one of the 77, 43 or 31, I would let the 31 go first because of the people-picture-prowess of the other two (I hope this never happens!). I actually ran across a thread online where people were debating between the 31 and the 43, that one looks pretty nice too I have to agree! I have already rented the 77 a year ago and took some pics of my daughter with it, was definitely a great lens but for some reason my photos were a bit softer than I was wanting with that lens. I am still learning a lot when it comes to how lighting affects the photos, and proper exposure and such, but I remember sending that lens back thinking it was more $$ that what I would be willing to pay for it...

10-02-2013, 01:02 PM	#38
tele_pathic Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 292	Originally posted by VisualDarkness I bought the 70 and 55 for pretty much the same prices used, so that isn't always true. Not to threadjack, but if you purchased the DA*55 for the same price as a DA 70mm Limited, one of us got screwed!

10-02-2013, 01:06 PM	#39
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by tele_pathic Not to threadjack, but if you purchased the DA*55 for the same price as a DA 70mm Limited, one of us got screwed! About 330€ for the 70mm and 360€ for 55mm. That's the Swedish used market.

10-02-2013, 01:13 PM	#40
yorik Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Scotts Valley, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 991	Originally posted by laughlady99 I actually ran across a thread online where people were debating between the 31 and the 43, that one looks pretty nice too I have to agree! I have already rented the 77 a year ago and took some pics of my daughter with it, was definitely a great lens but for some reason my photos were a bit softer than I was wanting with that lens. I am still learning a lot when it comes to how lighting affects the photos, and proper exposure and such, but I remember sending that lens back thinking it was more $$ that what I would be willing to pay for it... I had the opposite experience with the 77: the first time I used it, it felt exactly right. I had never spent that much money on a lens before, and felt not even a smidgeon of buyers remorse. I had a similar (but not as visceral) experience with the 43 (which came second). I did not have that experience with the 31, though I very much like the character of the pictures I make with it. I think that it is mostly a focal length thing, because all three lenses have magical rendering properties.

10-02-2013, 01:13 PM	#41
Fred2726 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 93	What about a used Da* 50-135? It's my go to lens for almost all my portraits/weddings. Add in the 16-50 and you have almost everything covered plus weatherproof. You may need a bit more light being f2.8 compared to f1.4 on the 55, but being able cover 70-200mm roughly with the crop factor is well worth it IMHO.

10-02-2013, 01:18 PM	#42
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by Fred2726 What about a used Da* 50-135? It's my go to lens for almost all my portraits/weddings. Add in the 16-50 and you have almost everything covered plus weatherproof. You may need a bit more light being f2.8 compared to f1.4 on the 55, but being able cover 70-200mm roughly with the crop factor is well worth it IMHO. That is a masterful lens, if tele is wanted!