portrait zoom, limited range - does it exist?

dagaetch · 06-05-2015, 11:16 AM

I'm wondering if there's a lens out there, or if it's even technically possible. Something like a 55-80, f2.4, perhaps? I've been researching portrait lenses (going to be an uncle soon, and I'm the official family photographer). Plenty of primes in that range, and a few zoom lenses that cover it, but generally at a higher aperture. If there was a well made, decently compact lens for a smaller portrait range, I think it could be a real winner. Or, am I completely wrong and no one would buy it. Thoughts?

**grahame** · 06-05-2015, 11:20 AM

Tokina has a 60-120/2.8, which is a wonderful portrait lens. And is small and light weight enough as a 2.8 2X zoom

**jatrax** · 06-05-2015, 11:20 AM

DA*50-135 f/2.8 is the Pentax portrait zoom. I don't have it but those that do say it doesn't get any better.

dagaetch · 06-05-2015, 11:26 AM

Originally posted by grahame

Tokina has a 60-120/2.8, which is a wonderful portrait lens. And is small and light weight enough as a 2.8 2X zoom

interesting, didn't know about that. Will have to look it up.

Originally posted by jatrax

DA*50-135 f/2.8 is the Pentax portrait zoom. I don't have it but those that do say it doesn't get any better.

Yeah, I know, I've actually considered it. It's just big and heavy. I was thinking if there could be something closer in size/weight to the 20-40, it would be a good companion. But it might not be technically possible.

chrisfer · 06-05-2015, 11:29 AM

A lens for portrait means telephoto and wide opening (preferably larger than f2,8).

It's not very possible for zoom...At f2,8 there is lot of zoom, and many are a little big...

Adam · 06-05-2015, 11:33 AM - **1 Like**

IMO, for the best results get a prime with a classic portrait focal length and zoom with your feet

dagaetch · 06-05-2015, 11:36 AM

Originally posted by Adam

IMO, for the best results get a prime with a classic portrait focal length and zoom with your feet

lol, I know. For right now I'm probably just going to use my 50/1.8, since I have time before the kid is mobile. Doing all the research just made me think that maybe I was missing something.

CarlJF · 06-05-2015, 12:13 PM

Originally posted by dagaetch

lol, I know. For right now I'm probably just going to use my 50/1.8, since I have time before the kid is mobile. Doing all the research just made me think that maybe I was missing something.

Yes, the 50 is great for portraits. For headshots, a 90mm or 100mm macro lens will do wonders, if you have one.

**Rondec** · 06-05-2015, 12:18 PM

Either get a prime (FA 77, DA *55, Sigma 85mm f1.4) or the Pentax 50-135. Those are really the best options out there from a portraiture standpoint (well, you could get a 70-200 f2.8, but if you think the 50-135 is big, those are bigger).

seventysixersfan · 06-05-2015, 12:31 PM

Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 is an excellent portrait zoom. check out this thread for images:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/145599-tamr...lots-pics.html

narual · 06-05-2015, 12:51 PM

I love my 28-75. I also love my 50-135. The 28-75 is much more useful in small spaces than the 50-135. (I was going to say "indoors" but a basketball arena might technically be indoors. The 28-75 is much more useful in a house. You can take a photo of a kid across the room and get more than the head in the frame.) If you're taking group photos (as the official family photographer), it's wide enough to do a good job without distorting people near the edges excessively.

Brooke Meyer · 06-05-2015, 09:59 PM

Originally posted by dagaetch

I'm wondering if there's a lens out there, or if it's even technically possible. Something like a 55-80, f2.4, perhaps? I've been researching portrait lenses (going to be an uncle soon, and I'm the official family photographer). Plenty of primes in that range, and a few zoom lenses that cover it, but generally at a higher aperture. If there was a well made, decently compact lens for a smaller portrait range, I think it could be a real winner. Or, am I completely wrong and no one would buy it. Thoughts?

Both the Tamron 28-75 and Pentax 50-135 are fine portrait lenses. The 28-75 is more versatile with its wide end, the 50-135 needs room. Understanding exposure, lighting and composition is more important than any lens.

Sandy Hancock · 06-06-2015, 12:47 AM

Have you actually handled the DA*50-135? For what it offers I find it neither big nor heavy, and it is the perfect one stop portrait shop for K-mount on a crop sensor.

If you really need something faster and smaller, suck it up and take Adam's advice; buy a FA77 and be prepared to hoof it a bit.

sterretje · 06-06-2015, 07:26 AM

Originally posted by seventysixersfan

Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 is an excellent portrait zoom.

Sounds fair; every possible focal length from full body to head shots.

dagaetch · 06-06-2015, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

Have you actually handled the DA*50-135? For what it offers I find it neither big nor heavy, and it is the perfect one stop portrait shop for K-mount on a crop sensor.

If you really need something faster and smaller, suck it up and take Adam's advice; buy a FA77 and be prepared to hoof it a bit.

It's been a while, so I probably should look at it again. The thing is, my usual photography style is wider. The portrait lens is something I'd like to keep in my bag, but it's more likely to be used at family events every couple of months. So for that, smaller and lighter is a plus.

06-05-2015, 11:16 AM	#1
dagaetch Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 111	portrait zoom, limited range - does it exist? I'm wondering if there's a lens out there, or if it's even technically possible. Something like a 55-80, f2.4, perhaps? I've been researching portrait lenses (going to be an uncle soon, and I'm the official family photographer). Plenty of primes in that range, and a few zoom lenses that cover it, but generally at a higher aperture. If there was a well made, decently compact lens for a smaller portrait range, I think it could be a real winner. Or, am I completely wrong and no one would buy it. Thoughts?

06-05-2015, 11:33 AM - 1 Like	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	IMO, for the best results get a prime with a classic portrait focal length and zoom with your feet 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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06-05-2015, 11:20 AM	#2
grahame Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,041	Tokina has a 60-120/2.8, which is a wonderful portrait lens. And is small and light weight enough as a 2.8 2X zoom

06-05-2015, 11:20 AM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	DA*50-135 f/2.8 is the Pentax portrait zoom. I don't have it but those that do say it doesn't get any better.

06-05-2015, 11:26 AM	#4
dagaetch Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 111 Original Poster	Originally posted by grahame Tokina has a 60-120/2.8, which is a wonderful portrait lens. And is small and light weight enough as a 2.8 2X zoom interesting, didn't know about that. Will have to look it up. Originally posted by jatrax DA*50-135 f/2.8 is the Pentax portrait zoom. I don't have it but those that do say it doesn't get any better. Yeah, I know, I've actually considered it. It's just big and heavy. I was thinking if there could be something closer in size/weight to the 20-40, it would be a good companion. But it might not be technically possible.

06-05-2015, 11:29 AM	#5
chrisfer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Albi, Tarn, France Photos: Albums Posts: 101	A lens for portrait means telephoto and wide opening (preferably larger than f2,8). It's not very possible for zoom...At f2,8 there is lot of zoom, and many are a little big...

06-05-2015, 11:36 AM	#7
dagaetch Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 111 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam IMO, for the best results get a prime with a classic portrait focal length and zoom with your feet lol, I know. For right now I'm probably just going to use my 50/1.8, since I have time before the kid is mobile. Doing all the research just made me think that maybe I was missing something.

06-05-2015, 12:13 PM	#8
CarlJF Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Quebec City Posts: 1,185	Originally posted by dagaetch lol, I know. For right now I'm probably just going to use my 50/1.8, since I have time before the kid is mobile. Doing all the research just made me think that maybe I was missing something. Yes, the 50 is great for portraits. For headshots, a 90mm or 100mm macro lens will do wonders, if you have one.

06-05-2015, 12:18 PM	#9
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	Either get a prime (FA 77, DA *55, Sigma 85mm f1.4) or the Pentax 50-135. Those are really the best options out there from a portraiture standpoint (well, you could get a 70-200 f2.8, but if you think the 50-135 is big, those are bigger).

06-05-2015, 12:31 PM	#10
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 is an excellent portrait zoom. check out this thread for images: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/145599-tamr...lots-pics.html

06-05-2015, 12:51 PM	#11
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	I love my 28-75. I also love my 50-135. The 28-75 is much more useful in small spaces than the 50-135. (I was going to say "indoors" but a basketball arena might technically be indoors. The 28-75 is much more useful in a house. You can take a photo of a kid across the room and get more than the head in the frame.) If you're taking group photos (as the official family photographer), it's wide enough to do a good job without distorting people near the edges excessively.

06-05-2015, 09:59 PM	#12
Brooke Meyer Guest	Originally posted by dagaetch I'm wondering if there's a lens out there, or if it's even technically possible. Something like a 55-80, f2.4, perhaps? I've been researching portrait lenses (going to be an uncle soon, and I'm the official family photographer). Plenty of primes in that range, and a few zoom lenses that cover it, but generally at a higher aperture. If there was a well made, decently compact lens for a smaller portrait range, I think it could be a real winner. Or, am I completely wrong and no one would buy it. Thoughts? Both the Tamron 28-75 and Pentax 50-135 are fine portrait lenses. The 28-75 is more versatile with its wide end, the 50-135 needs room. Understanding exposure, lighting and composition is more important than any lens.

06-06-2015, 12:47 AM	#13
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	Have you actually handled the DA*50-135? For what it offers I find it neither big nor heavy, and it is the perfect one stop portrait shop for K-mount on a crop sensor. If you really need something faster and smaller, suck it up and take Adam's advice; buy a FA77 and be prepared to hoof it a bit.

06-06-2015, 07:26 AM	#14
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by seventysixersfan Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 is an excellent portrait zoom. Sounds fair; every possible focal length from full body to head shots.

06-06-2015, 01:53 PM	#15
dagaetch Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 111 Original Poster	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock Have you actually handled the DA*50-135? For what it offers I find it neither big nor heavy, and it is the perfect one stop portrait shop for K-mount on a crop sensor. If you really need something faster and smaller, suck it up and take Adam's advice; buy a FA77 and be prepared to hoof it a bit. It's been a while, so I probably should look at it again. The thing is, my usual photography style is wider. The portrait lens is something I'd like to keep in my bag, but it's more likely to be used at family events every couple of months. So for that, smaller and lighter is a plus.