[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?

[ziscwg]

I like the FA77 with it's 1.8, but there was a tad more issues with lens flare.

I kind of like my 50 1.8 and the way it makes my scruff o mutt look

[Docrwm]

I really like the DA70 a lot. My Manual Focus 85/1.4 is better but if I were having to do a number of people and time was an issue I would not have any problem with using the DA70 at all.

[zzeitg]

The very best project would be to get DA 70, FA 77 and FA* 85 and shoot... and shoot... and then provide the comparable results to all kind forum members .


I only have FA77, but since I've seen some pics from DA70 (sharp !) I'm seriously thinking about buying one, new or used, as well. So IMO the question is if you like to make very sharp portraits... or not...

[waterfall]

Yes. Both lenses are superb. I had a DA70 and sold it as being redundant after buying the FA77. I like the FA for the extra length, the F1.8 vs F2.4, and for the inestimable pixie dust hiding in its barrel. But the DA70 is of course much less expensive. I did not find any noticeable difference in AF speed, by the way.

[Rondec]

I would prefer the FA 77, as long as I had the room to work. Second place would probably be the DA *55.

[tuco]

I kind of like my 50 1.8 and the way it makes my scruff o mutt look

The thing for environmental portrait lenses people should also be looking at how the lens renders out of focus on complex structure like foliage (bokeh). That 50/1.8 is not too attractive in the background, IMHO. YMMV of course.

[CeciProAm]

Thank you all.
I was just about to pull the trigger on the 77 when Adorama suggested I put the DA* 55 in my cart.
Oy to the vey.
Now, my wallet is screaming buy the 55 but my heart is saying WAIT, ask the forum!

So, now I am asking for you guys to help me choose between the 77 & the 55.
I cannot afford both~

---------- Post added 01-28-15 at 02:37 PM ----------

The very best project would be to get DA 70, FA 77 and FA* 85 and shoot... and shoot... and then provide the comparable results to all kind forum members .


I only have FA77, but since I've seen some pics from DA70 (sharp !) I'm seriously thinking about buying one, new or used, as well. So IMO the question is if you like to make very sharp portraits... or not...

That would be an absolute joy lol, if only my wallet would agree....
Now, I am fixated on the DA* 55 because that flare with the 77 is
not happy making.................WWAD?

[waterfall]

Flare in outside shots has not presented a problem to me with the Fa77. I even shot some sunsets with the lens that frankly surprised me with the lack of flare in the images. YMMV of course. I do not have any experience with the DA*55. That focal length is nicely served by the FA43 in my quiver.

[Rondec]

I don't know if this helps, but here are a couple shots.

DA *55



FA 77

[CeciProAm]

I love the 55 photo~

[seventhdr]

The DA* 55mm f1.4 on an APS-C camera will give you the equivalent focal length as the traditional 85mm portrait lens on a 35mm camera. It's a very good lens.

The FA 77mm f1.8 Limited on an APS-C camera will give you the equivalent focal length of 120mm on a 35mm camera. It's a very good lens.

The normal portrait lenses on 35mm cameras were between 85mm and 135mm depending on what rendering you wanted and how close to the subject you needed to be. That being said many portraits have been done with 200mm to 300m lenses. Longer focal length lenses generally require you to be further away from your subject.

So how much room do you have for your shoot? Get a zoom lens that covers these focal lengths and a model and try them out to see how much room you need for each focal length. Which one gives you the image you think you need. The buy that lens.

Regards

Chris

[CeciProAm]

Thank you Chris, great advice!

[Docrwm]

The DA* 55mm f1.4 on an APS-C camera will give you the equivalent focal length as the traditional 85mm portrait lens on a 35mm camera. It's a very good lens.

The FA 77mm f1.8 Limited on an APS-C camera will give you the equivalent focal length of 120mm on a 35mm camera. It's a very good lens.

The normal portrait lenses on 35mm cameras were between 85mm and 135mm depending on what rendering you wanted and how close to the subject you needed to be. That being said many portraits have been done with 200mm to 300m lenses. Longer focal length lenses generally require you to be further away from your subject.

So how much room do you have for your shoot? Get a zoom lens that covers these focal lengths and a model and try them out to see how much room you need for each focal length. Which one gives you the image you think you need. The buy that lens.

Regards

Chris

Chris is right about lengths and tradition. He is also on the mark about how much room you have to work with - 55 means you'll be able to be closer to your subject and 77 means a good bit further away. The big advantage to 70-105mm lenses is that the compress and flatten the subject while allowing greater isolation from the background than shorter lenses. Those are good things for portraits IMHO. I find 50mm, even on APS-C, to be too short for portraiture but others use them.

[zzeitg]

some thoughts here... How to Choose the Perfect Portrait Lens