Suggestions for Portrait lens for K-5

scotheran · 11-18-2013, 07:28 PM

I shoot with the K-5 and always use the 50mm 1.4. I love that lens and I have tried a few others and nothing compares. I just wish it wasn't a fixed lens. Is there another lens out there that is comparable to the 50mm in sharpness? I mostly shoot families and children if that helps any.

Thanks in advance.

yorik · 11-18-2013, 07:40 PM - **1 Like**

You'll be hearing this a lot... FA 77 limited.

The FA 50 1.4 was my first Pentax lens and I still love the images that it produces. BUT, there is no comparison - the FA 77 is my favorite lens. It produces stunning portraits.

**dadipentak** · 11-18-2013, 08:17 PM

Originally posted by yorik

FA 77 limited.

Next question?

SpecialK · 11-18-2013, 08:30 PM

It sounds like you want a zoom. The Tamron 28-75 is well-regarded.

Adam · 11-18-2013, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by scotheran

I shoot with the K-5 and always use the 50mm 1.4. I love that lens and I have tried a few others and nothing compares. I just wish it wasn't a fixed lens. Is there another lens out there that is comparable to the 50mm in sharpness? I mostly shoot families and children if that helps any.

Thanks in advance.

The DA* 50-135mm works well for portraits. But I strongly recommend primes for the purpose, for the better bokeh and lower distortion. The DA* 55mm works wonders!

HSV · 11-18-2013, 08:38 PM

I know a lot of people don't consider 43mm in APS-C to be "portrait"...but for some reason, of all my portraits, I like the ones taken with the FA43 LTD the most. Maybe is the 3d look, maybe is the bokeh...who knows. BTW, girls love this lens too.

My next favorite is the FA85*, my only problem with this one is the distance...and the price...and the scarcity.

Ole · 11-18-2013, 08:38 PM

Originally posted by scotheran

I shoot with the K-5 and always use the 50mm 1.4. I love that lens and I have tried a few others and nothing compares. I just wish it wasn't a fixed lens. Is there another lens out there that is comparable to the 50mm in sharpness? I mostly shoot families and children if that helps any.

Thanks in advance.

You mean a zoom lens comparative to the FA 50mm F1.4 in sharpness and bokeh?

The DA* 60-250 comes to mind, but it is heavy and only opens up to F4, so you get more depth of field than perhaps desired. Autofocus is slow.

The long since discontinued FA* 28-70mm F2.8, probably the lens I use the most. Autofocus is fast. Good range for portraits. Similar lenses are available from Tamron and Sigma.

I don't own it and cannot vouch for it, but some would probably vote for the DA* 50-135mm F2.8.

dcBear78 · 11-18-2013, 08:54 PM

Originally posted by yorik

You'll be hearing this a lot... FA 77 limited.

Yep... This thread can now be closed.

DSims · 11-18-2013, 09:06 PM

Originally posted by Adam

The DA* 50-135mm works well for portraits. But I strongly recommend primes for the purpose, for the better bokeh and lower distortion. The DA* 55mm works wonders!

I agree with Adam - I've found the DA*50-135 works great for portraits. And it's an especially good choice if you want zoom, as you implied.

The DA*55 is great too - the only reason I don't have it is I own the FA43 and K50/1.2 instead. The FA43 also works very nicely for portraits, and if you get one you'll suddenly find it easy to part with your 50/1.4.

But my first 2 choices are my DA*50-135 and my FA*85 (which replaced my FA77, which is nearly as good).

LFLee · 11-18-2013, 09:29 PM

First choice is FA*85, second choice is FA77.

twitch · 11-18-2013, 10:34 PM

I have the DA*50-135 and the FA77. They are both fantastic for portraits, can't go wrong with either.

FA77 is better vs 50-135 for:
- ridiculous sharpness
- smoother bokeh
- AF that doesn't break down (my 50-135 is currently in the shop getting it's SDM replaced)

50-135 is better for:
- zoom versatility
- more reliably accurate AF (as opposed to more reliably working AF

)

For the "I absolutely must get this shot" portrait situations I use the 50-135, otherwise I use the FA77.

y0chang · 11-20-2013, 08:15 AM

I second the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 recommendation. It's generally around $300 and its a wonderful lens on a crop body. Even function as a nice FF lens if pentax ever goes full frame. Screw drive, no lens IS, not a problem with Pentax!

grispie · 11-20-2013, 03:37 PM

euhm, what's wrong with the DA 70? no one brought it up yet?

y0chang · 11-20-2013, 04:43 PM

I think the 70 mm would be an awesome choice...but he did state that he wished he had a zoom. 50-135 would give him flattering portrait lengths while a 28-75 would give him wider for full body or group shots. Studio though 70 or the 77ltd would be great.

lesmore49 · 11-20-2013, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by grispie

euhm, what's wrong with the DA 70? no one brought it up yet?

X 2. I have one of these excellent lenses....very sharp, great bokeh. On a budget....then the 50mm F 1.4....want a zoom...the 16-45.

I've wondered about the Pentax 100 mm WR F 2.8 Macro. Think it would be very sharp.

11-18-2013, 07:28 PM	#1
scotheran New Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 6	Suggestions for Portrait lens for K-5 I shoot with the K-5 and always use the 50mm 1.4. I love that lens and I have tried a few others and nothing compares. I just wish it wasn't a fixed lens. Is there another lens out there that is comparable to the 50mm in sharpness? I mostly shoot families and children if that helps any. Thanks in advance.

11-18-2013, 08:34 PM	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Originally posted by scotheran I shoot with the K-5 and always use the 50mm 1.4. I love that lens and I have tried a few others and nothing compares. I just wish it wasn't a fixed lens. Is there another lens out there that is comparable to the 50mm in sharpness? I mostly shoot families and children if that helps any. Thanks in advance. The DA* 50-135mm works well for portraits. But I strongly recommend primes for the purpose, for the better bokeh and lower distortion. The DA* 55mm works wonders! Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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11-18-2013, 07:40 PM - 1 Like	#2
yorik Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Scotts Valley, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 991	You'll be hearing this a lot... FA 77 limited. The FA 50 1.4 was my first Pentax lens and I still love the images that it produces. BUT, there is no comparison - the FA 77 is my favorite lens. It produces stunning portraits.

11-18-2013, 08:17 PM	#3
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by yorik FA 77 limited. Next question?

11-18-2013, 08:30 PM	#4
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	It sounds like you want a zoom. The Tamron 28-75 is well-regarded.

11-18-2013, 08:38 PM	#6
HSV Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 321	I know a lot of people don't consider 43mm in APS-C to be "portrait"...but for some reason, of all my portraits, I like the ones taken with the FA43 LTD the most. Maybe is the 3d look, maybe is the bokeh...who knows. BTW, girls love this lens too. My next favorite is the FA85*, my only problem with this one is the distance...and the price...and the scarcity.

11-18-2013, 08:38 PM	#7
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,408	Originally posted by scotheran I shoot with the K-5 and always use the 50mm 1.4. I love that lens and I have tried a few others and nothing compares. I just wish it wasn't a fixed lens. Is there another lens out there that is comparable to the 50mm in sharpness? I mostly shoot families and children if that helps any. Thanks in advance. You mean a zoom lens comparative to the FA 50mm F1.4 in sharpness and bokeh? The DA* 60-250 comes to mind, but it is heavy and only opens up to F4, so you get more depth of field than perhaps desired. Autofocus is slow. The long since discontinued FA* 28-70mm F2.8, probably the lens I use the most. Autofocus is fast. Good range for portraits. Similar lenses are available from Tamron and Sigma. I don't own it and cannot vouch for it, but some would probably vote for the DA* 50-135mm F2.8.

11-18-2013, 08:54 PM	#8
dcBear78 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Gladstone, QLD Photos: Gallery Posts: 823	Originally posted by yorik You'll be hearing this a lot... FA 77 limited. Yep... This thread can now be closed.

11-18-2013, 09:06 PM	#9
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by Adam The DA* 50-135mm works well for portraits. But I strongly recommend primes for the purpose, for the better bokeh and lower distortion. The DA* 55mm works wonders! I agree with Adam - I've found the DA50-135 works great for portraits. And it's an especially good choice if you want zoom, as you implied. The DA55 is great too - the only reason I don't have it is I own the FA43 and K50/1.2 instead. The FA43 also works very nicely for portraits, and if you get one you'll suddenly find it easy to part with your 50/1.4. But my first 2 choices are my DA50-135 and my FA85 (which replaced my FA77, which is nearly as good).

11-18-2013, 09:29 PM	#10
LFLee Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,292	First choice is FA*85, second choice is FA77.

11-18-2013, 10:34 PM	#11
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	I have the DA*50-135 and the FA77. They are both fantastic for portraits, can't go wrong with either. FA77 is better vs 50-135 for: - ridiculous sharpness - smoother bokeh - AF that doesn't break down (my 50-135 is currently in the shop getting it's SDM replaced) 50-135 is better for: - zoom versatility - more reliably accurate AF (as opposed to more reliably working AF ) For the "I absolutely must get this shot" portrait situations I use the 50-135, otherwise I use the FA77.

11-20-2013, 08:15 AM	#12
y0chang Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: United States Posts: 793	I second the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 recommendation. It's generally around $300 and its a wonderful lens on a crop body. Even function as a nice FF lens if pentax ever goes full frame. Screw drive, no lens IS, not a problem with Pentax!

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11-20-2013, 03:37 PM	#13
grispie Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 1,199	euhm, what's wrong with the DA 70? no one brought it up yet?

11-20-2013, 04:43 PM	#14
y0chang Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: United States Posts: 793	I think the 70 mm would be an awesome choice...but he did state that he wished he had a zoom. 50-135 would give him flattering portrait lengths while a 28-75 would give him wider for full body or group shots. Studio though 70 or the 77ltd would be great.

11-20-2013, 04:48 PM	#15
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,336	Originally posted by grispie euhm, what's wrong with the DA 70? no one brought it up yet? X 2. I have one of these excellent lenses....very sharp, great bokeh. On a budget....then the 50mm F 1.4....want a zoom...the 16-45. I've wondered about the Pentax 100 mm WR F 2.8 Macro. Think it would be very sharp.