Advice Wanted: Pentax 70mm f/2.4 or the SMCP-FA 77mm f/1.8 or ? for BEST PORTRAITS?

**Rondec** · 01-28-2015, 03:03 PM - **1 Like**

I have had better success with the 55, in all seriousness, not sure why.

lesmore49 · 01-28-2015, 03:11 PM

I have a DA 70mm....very happy with it.

mikeodial · 01-28-2015, 03:25 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by lesmore49

I have a DA 70mm....very happy with it.

I have a FA 77 ... has a wonderful sort of sharp/softness to it in natural light. As does the FA 43 mm.

**jrpower10** · 01-28-2015, 03:29 PM - **1 Like**

If you're not set on a prime, the DA 50-135 is a pretty good portrait lens, and gives you flexibility if space is an issue. Seconf hand prices seem to be running in the $600-700 range.

mikeodial · 01-28-2015, 03:43 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jrpower10

If you're not set on a prime, the DA 50-135 is a pretty good portrait lens, and gives you flexibility if space is an issue. Seconf hand prices seem to be running in the $600-700 range.

I have just posted an excellent used one (50-135mm) at $615 on the marketplace. Sorry about the commercial interruption.

Saltwater Images · 01-28-2015, 03:44 PM - **1 Like**

I have the FA 50 1.4 and HD DA 70. With three HD DA pancakes (21, 40, 70) I can easily say the 70 is the best of the 3. I have been shooting some portraits with the 70 and a K-5 II and the lens is amazingly sharp but some portraits need to be softened a little in post as a result. The 70 has replaced my FA 50. The DA* 55 may give you the best of both worlds; sharpness and a wider aperture + WR as an added bonus. If you're not planning on building a set of Limited's, and don't mind the Larger size, the 55 may be the lens for you.

lesmore49 · 01-28-2015, 03:47 PM

Originally posted by mikeodial

I have a FA 77 ... has a wonderful sort of sharp/softness to it in natural light. As does the FA 43 mm.

I have a 21 Limited and 40 mm Limited.....both take beautiful photos. Guess in the end...no matter what the Limited series lens...they all are great picture takers.

CeciProAm · 01-28-2015, 03:57 PM

Originally posted by Saltwater Images

I have the FA 50 1.4 and HD DA 70. With three HD DA pancakes (21, 40, 70) I can easily say the 70 is the best of the 3. I have been shooting some portraits with the 70 and a K-5 II and the lens is amazingly sharp but some portraits need to be softened a little in post as a result. The 70 has replaced my FA 50. The DA* 55 may give you the best of both worlds; sharpness and a wider aperture + WR as an added bonus. If you're not planning on building a set of Limited's, and don't mind the Larger size, the 55 may be the lens for you.

Thanks Duane, I am leaning towards the *55.
I am going to do more research, I love what
was suggested about going to FLICKR &
seeing what I liked and it was 55!

Thank you all for the gorgeous photos & the
wonderful insight~

...& marketplace interruptions are always ok
in my book!

fwbigd · 01-28-2015, 04:50 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by CeciProAm

I am not happy with my 50mm.
I am using a K3
I have a big project to shoot 20 individuals in high key & I am wondering if
I should splurge on the SMCP-FA 77mm f/1.8 or search out a used 70mm?

Both are excellent lens for portraits. The first example is shot with the 77mm and the second with the 70mm.

**sholtzma** · 01-28-2015, 05:24 PM

Well, since I prefer the model in the first shot to the (different) model in the second shot, that means that I should buy a 77.

(Ooops.)

I'm just trying desperately to find a way to justify an unnecessary purchase, you understand....

Saltwater Images · 01-28-2015, 05:27 PM

Here are a few shots with the HD DA 70 to compare. Can you guess which one is called "Goodfellas"?

**wizofoz** · 01-28-2015, 05:36 PM - **1 Like**

I have the FA77, the DA55 and the DA50-135. (yep, I had LBA pretty bad, but it's in remission at the moment)

All are outstanding portrait lenses, You won't go wrong with any of them.

The 77, in the right circumstances, has some ineffable quality to it that I cannot find in any other lens i have used. (the FA43 comes close) some call it pixie dust, some call it micro contrast. It matters not what it is called, when it appears it is something special. (and if the mythical full frame Pentax ever actually appears, you have a classic 77mm lens all set to go)

**Rondec** · 01-28-2015, 05:43 PM - **3 Likes**

Here a couple of shots with the FA 77 and my daughter that maybe give a better idea of the out of focus rendering that it offers.

**mwilky55** · 01-28-2015, 06:01 PM

While I lust after the 55 and have the 77, you cannot go wrong with the 70 Ltd - it is a gem of a lens.

zzeitg · 01-28-2015, 10:49 PM - **1 Like**

I think that there's no way out... after reading all replies in this thread... it's clear you need DA55, DA70, FA77 and FA85. And additionally DA 50-135 just for cases when zoom versatility might be needed. And a new camera bag: let's call it portrait bag :-)

01-28-2015, 05:27 PM	#26
Saltwater Images Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Newfoundland Photos: Gallery Posts: 501	Here are a few shots with the HD DA 70 to compare. Can you guess which one is called "Goodfellas"? Last edited by Saltwater Images; 02-07-2015 at 01:49 PM.

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01-28-2015, 03:03 PM - 1 Like	#16
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	I have had better success with the 55, in all seriousness, not sure why.

01-28-2015, 03:11 PM	#17
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,343	I have a DA 70mm....very happy with it.

01-28-2015, 03:29 PM - 1 Like	#19
jrpower10 Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Richland, Washington, USA Posts: 935	If you're not set on a prime, the DA 50-135 is a pretty good portrait lens, and gives you flexibility if space is an issue. Seconf hand prices seem to be running in the $600-700 range.

01-28-2015, 03:43 PM - 1 Like	#20
mikeodial Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 370	Originally posted by jrpower10 If you're not set on a prime, the DA 50-135 is a pretty good portrait lens, and gives you flexibility if space is an issue. Seconf hand prices seem to be running in the $600-700 range. I have just posted an excellent used one (50-135mm) at $615 on the marketplace. Sorry about the commercial interruption.

01-28-2015, 03:44 PM - 1 Like	#21
Saltwater Images Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Newfoundland Photos: Gallery Posts: 501	I have the FA 50 1.4 and HD DA 70. With three HD DA pancakes (21, 40, 70) I can easily say the 70 is the best of the 3. I have been shooting some portraits with the 70 and a K-5 II and the lens is amazingly sharp but some portraits need to be softened a little in post as a result. The 70 has replaced my FA 50. The DA* 55 may give you the best of both worlds; sharpness and a wider aperture + WR as an added bonus. If you're not planning on building a set of Limited's, and don't mind the Larger size, the 55 may be the lens for you.

01-28-2015, 03:47 PM	#22
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,343	Originally posted by mikeodial I have a FA 77 ... has a wonderful sort of sharp/softness to it in natural light. As does the FA 43 mm. I have a 21 Limited and 40 mm Limited.....both take beautiful photos. Guess in the end...no matter what the Limited series lens...they all are great picture takers.

01-28-2015, 03:57 PM	#23
CeciProAm Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 698 Original Poster	Originally posted by Saltwater Images I have the FA 50 1.4 and HD DA 70. With three HD DA pancakes (21, 40, 70) I can easily say the 70 is the best of the 3. I have been shooting some portraits with the 70 and a K-5 II and the lens is amazingly sharp but some portraits need to be softened a little in post as a result. The 70 has replaced my FA 50. The DA* 55 may give you the best of both worlds; sharpness and a wider aperture + WR as an added bonus. If you're not planning on building a set of Limited's, and don't mind the Larger size, the 55 may be the lens for you. Thanks Duane, I am leaning towards the *55. I am going to do more research, I love what was suggested about going to FLICKR & seeing what I liked and it was 55! Thank you all for the gorgeous photos & the wonderful insight~ ...& marketplace interruptions are always ok in my book!

01-28-2015, 05:24 PM	#25
sholtzma Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Salisbury, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,043	Well, since I prefer the model in the first shot to the (different) model in the second shot, that means that I should buy a 77. (Ooops.) I'm just trying desperately to find a way to justify an unnecessary purchase, you understand....

01-28-2015, 05:36 PM - 1 Like	#27
wizofoz Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne, Outer east. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,695	I have the FA77, the DA55 and the DA50-135. (yep, I had LBA pretty bad, but it's in remission at the moment) All are outstanding portrait lenses, You won't go wrong with any of them. The 77, in the right circumstances, has some ineffable quality to it that I cannot find in any other lens i have used. (the FA43 comes close) some call it pixie dust, some call it micro contrast. It matters not what it is called, when it appears it is something special. (and if the mythical full frame Pentax ever actually appears, you have a classic 77mm lens all set to go)

01-28-2015, 05:43 PM - 3 Likes	#28
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Here a couple of shots with the FA 77 and my daughter that maybe give a better idea of the out of focus rendering that it offers.

01-28-2015, 06:01 PM	#29
mwilky55 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Southeastern Connecticut Photos: Albums Posts: 816	While I lust after the 55 and have the 77, you cannot go wrong with the 70 Ltd - it is a gem of a lens.

01-28-2015, 10:49 PM - 1 Like	#30
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	I think that there's no way out... after reading all replies in this thread... it's clear you need DA55, DA70, FA77 and FA85. And additionally DA 50-135 just for cases when zoom versatility might be needed. And a new camera bag: let's call it portrait bag :-)